Third Person's POV
Hospital Ward
Alexander held Elena close against his chest while her body trembled slightly from the pain. One of his hands rested carefully on her back, rubbing slow gentle circles while Seraphina's voice filled the room with apologies.
"I'm so sorry," she said softly. "I didn't realize the tea was that hot."
Her face still carried that calm angelic expression she always wore so perfectly.
But behind them, her fingers tightened slowly into a fist. Her jaw clenched and she swallowed hard.
Alexander didn't notice.
His full attention remained on Elena.
He gently took her hand into his and examined the reddened skin where the tea had spilled before lowering his head and planting a soft kiss against it.
Then he began to blow gently over the burn.
Elena looked at him, slightly amused despite the pain.
Meanwhile, Alexander looked completely serious.
His brows were slightly drawn together, concern visible in his eyes as he continued blowing softly over her skin.
"Does it hurt?" he asked quietly.
"A little," Elena admitted softly before a faint smile appeared on her lips. "But it hurts less when you do that."
Something softened in Alexander's eyes.
Then suddenly, the door opened.
An elderly doctor stepped inside the ward. The moment he saw Alexander, he immediately gave a respectful bow.
"Mr Blackwood," he greeted politely. "I heard you arrived."
Alexander gave a short nod.
"She scalded her hand with hot tea," he said calmly. "Take a look at it."
The doctor immediately stepped closer and examined Elena's hand carefully before bringing out his phone.
"Bring the burn cream to Miss Elena's ward immediately," he said into the phone, before ending it.
He looked back at Elena.
"Does the pain spread beyond the surface?" he asked. "Any numbness? Tingling? Weakness in your fingers or arm?"
Elena shook her head lightly.
"No. The tea was just so hot that I lost grip of the cup."
The doctor nodded slowly.
"We'll still monitor the tissue reaction carefully," he said. "The skin isn't blistering yet, which is a good sign."
Then his attention shifted briefly toward Alexander.
"We'll also be running another brain scan in two days," he explained. "We need to monitor the progression around the tumor and evaluate whether there's increased pressure affecting her nervous system."
Alexander's expression darkened slightly but he remained calm.
The door opened again and a hospital assistant hurried in with the burn cream.
The doctor quickly put on his gloves before gently taking Elena's hand.
"You mentioned feeling cold earlier," he said while applying the cream carefully. "Any weakness in your limbs? Dizziness? Sudden fatigue?"
Elena shook her head again.
"No. I just lost my grip on the hot cup of tea."
The doctor frowned slightly.
"For now, avoid tea and caffeinated drinks," he said firmly. "Water and fresh juice are safer options."
He adjusted the dressing carefully before continuing.
"Caffeine can stimulate the nervous system and interfere with sleep cycles. Considering her neurological condition, we need accurate observations. If her sleep becomes unstable, we need to know whether it's the tumor causing it… or external stimulants."
The room became quiet for a second.
Then Alexander slowly turned his head toward Seraphina.
She had been standing quietly at the side the entire time.
When their eyes met, she gave him a small smile.
But Alexander's expression remained cold.
"Don't give Elena tea again," he said sharply.
The softness in his voice from earlier was completely gone.
"Allow the medical team to handle her care."
For a second, Seraphina's smile almost cracked.
But she recovered quickly.
"Of course," she replied softly. "I was only trying to help."
Alexander didn't answer her. Instead, he pulled Elena slightly closer against him before lowering his head and placing a soft peck against her forehead.
Seraphina watched the scene quietly while the doctor continued speaking to the assistant nearby.
Her smile remained on her lips, but little by little, her eyes darkened.
She started packing her things in silence.
"I'll come see you later," she told Elena gently.
Elena smiled weakly. "Thank you for coming."
Seraphina nodded softly before turning and walking out of the ward.
The moment the door closed behind her, the warmth in her expression disappeared completely.
*
Nearly ten minutes later, the doctor finished giving instructions to the assistant before bowing respectfully toward Alexander and Elena.
"Call immediately if there's increased pain, swelling, numbness, or fever," he instructed professionally.
Elena gave a curt nod.
The doctor and assistant then left quietly, leaving the room silent once again.
The moment the door closed, Alexander's attention returned fully to Elena.
He looked at her carefully, almost like he was afraid to look away.
"I love you," he said quietly. "No matter what decisions you make about your health… I'll stay with you."
Elena smiled weakly.
"Thank you."
Her eyelids looked heavy, and her breathing had slowed.
Alexander looked at her tenderly before he leaned down and captured her lips in a deep kiss.
Elena responded weakly at first but a few seconds later, she tried pulling away gently.
Alexander held her tighter.
She pushed lightly against his chest, but he still refused to let go, kissing her desperately like she was the only thing keeping him alive.
Finally, Elena bit his lower lip.
Alexander groaned softly and immediately released her.
Elena pulled back quickly, trying to catch her breath while Alexander stared at her quietly.
Then realization finally settled into his eyes.
"She's tired," he murmured to himself.
A faint look of guilt crossed his face.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I caught you off guard."
Elena gave a tired nod.
Without another word, Alexander carefully helped her lie back properly against the bed before pulling the blanket gently over her body.
His movements were unusually gentle, like she was something fragile. Something precious.
****
Hospital Parking Lot
Seraphina sat inside her car silently.
Her hands were clasped tightly together while her eyes remained fixed on the hospital entrance.
Minutes passed, but Alexander still hadn't come out.
Her jaw tightened slowly.
Then suddenly, her eyes widened.
"No…" she whispered.
Her breathing became uneven.
"No… no, no."
She shook her head repeatedly like she was trying to force the thought away.
"It can't be."
Then suddenly—
Thud.
Her forehead slammed against the steering wheel.
"No."
Thud.
"It can't be."
Thud.
"NO."
Silence followed immediately after. Her breathing became heavy.
Slowly, she lifted her head and turned to look toward the hospital entrance again.
Her eyes narrowed as she clenched her fist tightly till her knuckles turned white. She trembled slightly as she brought her crossed fingers to her lips.
She closed her eyes and whispered a vow quietly:
"I'll kill you, Elena."