"Wasn't he the same friend you went to meet at the restaurant the other day?"
Alicia's irritation rose immediately.
"What's this now? Have you been following me around?"
"You wish," he scoffed
Then his tone became serious.
"Alicia, how many times do I have to say this? Even if we get a divorce, we're still siblings. I'm still your brother, so I have to look out for you."
"Brother?" she scoffed mockingly.
"Is he the person you like?" Alexander suddenly asked.
Alicia stared at him in surprise. How did he even reach that conclusion?
My heart ached .
His voice softened slightly.
"You don't know how guys like him are."
"And you do?" she shot back.
"Of course I do, Alicia. And that world isn't safe for you."
"Whatever. Think whatever you want," she said coldly. "And keep your concern to yourself."
Alexander's expression darkened instantly.
"I'm going to ask you again, Alicia," he said slowly. "Is he the person you like?"
Irritated, Alicia snapped.
"Yes, he is! So what? Am I not allowed to like someone now?"
Alexander's expression hardened.
"How can you say that so casually? For goodness' sake, Alicia, he's an actor. You're not ready for that."
Alexander knew Alicia had never liked being in the spotlight. Being with Aiden would mean exactly that kind of life.
"I said I don't want your concern!" Alicia fired back. "Yes, I like him, and I've already planned what my life will be like after the divorce."
"Is part of your plan to resign from the company?" Alexander asked coldly.
"You know what?" she said in frustration. "Think whatever you want. I'm done talking to you."
In anger, she kicked off the duvet with her injured leg.
Immediately, and she let out a groan.
Alicia POV
Alexander quickly sat at the edge of the bed, examining my leg as tears began rolling down my cheeks.
"Does it hurt a lot?" he asked.
"Mm." I nodded weakly.
"Just relax. Let me clean it for you."
"Just call Maria to do it," I said between sobs, but he didn't reply. Instead, he grabbed the first aid kit and opened it.
His large hand gently took my injured foot, and the warmth of his touch made me want to pull away.
He carefully removed the old gauze, revealing the swollen ankle and the ointment that hadn't fully absorbed.
First, he wiped away the excess ointment with an alcohol swab, exposing the pale, swollen skin. Then he took a cotton swab, applied a fresh layer of ointment, wrapped it with clean gauze, and secured it carefully.
"All done."
He adjusted my blanket and placed the medications back in the bag.
"Thank you."
"No need to thank me. No need for pleasantries," Alexander murmured. Then he asked, "Have you taken your medication yet?"
I shook my head.
He stood up, returned the first aid kit to its place, and came back with a small bag containing my medication. It contained not only the medicine prescribed by the hospital but also the medication I had been taking for my "stomach discomfort."
I couldn't help but feel nervous as I watched him pull out each bottle. My fingers gripped the hem of my clothes tightly.
"These are the stomach medicines from the hospital, but why this packaging?" Alexander asked, holding up two white bottles without labels and shaking them slightly, looking confused.
I hurriedly explained, "I switched them out myself. The boxes were too bulky, and I might have to travel next week, so I put them in smaller bottles instead."
The excuse seemed plausible enough, and Alexander didn't press further.
"Your foot might not be healed by the weekend," he said. "If it's not urgent, let someone else go."
I nodded, feeling slightly relieved inside.