"I'm afraid that will take too long. I'm really hungry right now. Could you go out and buy me something?" I looked up at him, trying to make my voice sound as weak as possible.
For the first time, Alexander seemed caught off guard by my obedient expression. He nodded instinctively.
"Alright. I'll go get something for you. Stay here in the room. If you need anything, call the nurse. Don't get out of bed."
I nodded, and he left the room.
Immediately, I pressed the button beside my bed, and a nurse hurried in.
"Do you need anything, ma'am?" she asked.
"My baby…" I said weakly. "How is my baby?"
"Your baby is absolutely fine, ma'am. There's no need to worry for now. But you have to be very careful because your pregnancy is not stable. This time we were able to save the baby, but we don't know what might happen next time."
I nodded, feeling relieved.
"Your leg is injured, so you will need to avoid movement for the next few days to ensure proper recovery. Because of your pregnancy, we have prescribed ointments only. It's much safer than oral medication."
"Okay, thank you," I said.
She left the room.
A few moments later, Alexander returned with the food. I ate silently. When I finished, he cleared the containers and returned to my bedside.
"You should go. I will be fine with just the nurses here," I said to him.
"No. I can't just leave you here alone," he protested.
I didn't have enough energy to argue, so I stayed silent.
A moment later, his phone rang.
"Hello, Lilian," I heard him say as he walked out of the room.
A few minutes later, he returned with an apologetic look.
"Alicia, I have to go. I'm sorry. I'll ask Maria to come tomorrow morning, and then I'll pick you up after you're discharged. I need to go… Lilian needs me."
"Mm," was all I said nonchalantly.
He stood there for a moment, trying to read my expression, before finally leaving.
At that moment, I realized something.
No matter what I did, I could never beat Lilian in Alexander's heart.
I remembered how he saved her while the shelf landed directly on me.
I couldn't do this anymore.
I couldn't keep holding on to empty hope only to be disappointed again and again.
So I made a decision.
From now on, it would only be me and my baby.
The next morning Maria came with food and clothes. After I ate, the doctor came to check on me and I was soon discharged. Maria helped me to the car in a wheelchair and then drove us home. I honestly didn't expect Alexander to show up, so when he didn't, I wasn't surprised at all.
I was lying on the bed scrolling through my phone when I heard someone enter the room. I thought it was Maria bringing my meal, so I casually spoke.
"Just keep it there, I will eat later."
"Why don't you eat it now? You are still recovering, you shouldn't starve yourself."
I turned and saw Alexander standing there. I put my phone aside as he came forward and placed the food in front of me. I quietly picked up the spoon and started eating.
After I was done, he took the tray and went out. A moment later he returned and asked,
"How are you feeling now?"
"My leg still hurts, but I'm better."
I said nonchalantly.
We stayed quiet for a while before he suddenly spoke again.
"Alicia, are you mad about what happened at the studio?"
"Why would I be? It's not like it was your fault a shelf fell on me."
Seeing my nonchalant reply, he continued,
"I know I shouldn't have saved Lilian alone, but at that moment there was just nothing I could do. I was anxious, so I grabbed her."