Chapter 53

"My heart is at ease now that you and the baby are okay. What happened eo Sandra is terrible," Sarah murmured, her voice laced with concern as she adjusted Lilly's blanket, sitting next to him on the hospital bed. She had rushed to be by his side the moment she learned Lilly had woken up the previous day.

Lilly let out a heavy sigh. "I was the intended target. They thought it was me, but it was Sandra they hit instead."

Sarah's expression darkened. "Im certain it was Bella and Kate," she said with quiet conviction.

Lilly nodded, her gaze hardening. "Kate came to my office earlier that day,spouting nonsense. Then the accident happened."

Sarah clenched her fists. "If I get my hands on Kate, she'll regret it. Her and that wicked mother of hers."

They'Il pay for everything they've done," Lilly vowed, her voice thick with determination. "And it won't be long before they're behind bars."

Sarah nodded in agreement. "You should tell your grandfather,Lilly.He'll be shocked when he sees the news."

Lilly paused, her thoughts racing. She needed Bella and Kate to confess,to reveal the truth to the world in front of her grandfather. The last thing she wanted was for him to learn about it like everyone else, through the media.

"You're right," Lilly finally said.11Alexander mentioned the same thing earlier. I'll prepare to tell him when he visits tomorrow."

"I ean't wait for this to be over. For Sandra to recover." Sarah's voice

softened.

"Me too," Lilly agreed.

"By the way..." Lilly glanced around the room, suddenly noticing the absence of certain familiar faces. "Where are Jacob and Michael? Don't they know I'm awake?"

Sarah hesitated, a strange smile playing on her lips. "Well.."

Lilly raised an eyebrow, sensing something amiss."What?"

Sarah's smile widened. "You didn't tell me that Alexander was the jealous type," she teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Lilly stared at her, confusion clouding her expression. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't act surprised," Sarah grinned. "When you woke up, Michael and Jacob came with me to see you. But Alexander wouldn't let them in."

Lilly blinked in disbelief. "Are you serious?"

Sarah nodded. "Michael and Alexander had an... altercation, just the second day you were hospitalized."

Lilly's jaw dropped. "What? No way." Sarah's face turned serious.′′Itwas intense. If Alexander hadn't held himself back, he could have hurt Michael badly. But he didn't want you to wake up and find out something happened to him." Lilly had to sit up a little, the shock evident on her face. "What happened exactly?" Sarah sighed, her tone turning more serious. "We rushed to the hospital when we heard what happened. But Alexander's guards wouldn't let us in to see you. Alexander came out of the VIP room, saw us standing there,and allowed me in, but not Jacob or Michael. He said they weren't needed.Michael got angry, though. He insisted he had the right to see his friend,which triggered the altercation."

Lilly couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Michael told him he's been in my life longer and knows me better. That made Alexander lose his cool."

"Exactly," Sarah confirmed, her eyes filled with disbelief. "He had his guards throw Michael and Jacob out. Even though Jacob hadn't said a word."

Lilly stared at Sarah, her mind racing. "I didn't think Alexander would ever do that."

Sarah almost laughed at Lilly's shock. "Well, now that he has feelings for you,you're going to see a side of him you've never seen before. Trust me,Alexander isn't just the tough, commanding CEO. He's also an overprotective, jealous husband in the making."

Lilly's thoughts were interrupted by a voice that made her heart skip a beat.

"I don't want any man near you," Alexander's voice echoed through the room, his cold gaze locked on Lilly as he entered, his presence commanding. Lilly blinked, caught off guard by his sudden arrival. She opened her mouth, but words failed her. The intensity of Alexander's gaze made her hesitate. "You didn't let Jacob and Michael see mne," Lilly said, her tone betraying her confusion. "They're family-close friends who've been with me for years. They have every right to be here."

Alexander's jaw tightened. "You shouldn't have male friends."

Lilly was speechless. Sarah had warned her, but she never expected Alexander to be this insecure.

"But they're family," Lilly insisted, hoping to reason with him.

Alexander didn't flinch, his expression unreadable. His silence hung heavy between them.

Finally, after a long pause, he exhaled, his voice quiet but firm. "Fine.They can see you."

Lilly's lips curved into a small smile, relieved. Without thinking, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. She couldn't deny the flutter in her chest-seeing Alexander so possessive, so jealous, made her heart race.

He hugged her back, his hold tightening. "You'll be discharged tomorrow,"he murmured.

"Really?" Lilly looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Yes," Alexander confirmed. "We'll go home tomorrow after we visit Sandra." Lilly pulled back from the embrace, her mind racing. "Ineed to see my grandfather tomorrow before we leave," she said, her voice steady but resolute. "Why?" Alexander asked, his brow furrowing. "He can visit you since you're the one who's been sick."

Lilly's gaze hardened. "I need to tell him, Alexander. I need to tell him everything before he finds out from the media."

Alexander's eyes widened slightly, realizing what Lilly meant. "You've decided to tell him?"

Lilly nodded. "Yes. The truth needs to come out, and I want him to hear it from me first."

Alexander fell silent for a moment, his eyes dark with thought. "What about your father? Won't you forgive him?"

Lilly's face hardened at the mention of her father. "I want him to be more remorseful," she said, her voice cutting through the tension. "I need him to understand the damage he caused-how he destroyed his family and lost two of his children because of his actions. Only then will I forgive him."

Alexander stared at her, his gaze faraway, as though his thoughts were drifting to something painful.

Lilly watched him closely, sensing the weight of his unspoken thoughts.His silence made her wonder if the mention of her father had triggered something from his past-something he wasn't ready to share.

"Alexander," Lilly said gently, her hand reaching out to him, "I hope one day you'll open up to me. I want to understand... what's hurting you."She knew the truth, but part of her wanted him to speak it out loud. Alexander didn't respond. Instead, he stared at her, his expression unreadable. After a few moments, he leaned down and kissed her forehead,his touch soft but intense. "It's late," he said, his voice low. "You should sleep."

Lilly nodded, though her mind was still buzzing with everything that had been said. "You need rest too," she murmured. "You haven't slept in days."

Alexander smirked."Okay, but only if you give me a kiss first."

Lilly smiled, her heart warming at his words. She leaned in and kissed him without hesitation. As the kiss deepened,she could feel the weight of the world lift off her shoulders for just a moment, the quiet comfort of being in his arms almost enough to make her forget everything else.

Meanwhile, in the cold confines of a high-security prison, a woman sat alone, her eyes fixed on a business magazine. A photograph of Alexander graced the cover, and as she ran her fingers over the image, a wicked smile spread across her lips. Her dark eyes gleamed with something dangerous,a spark of recognition.

"You've grown up well, Alexander," she whispered to herself, her voice laced with an unsettling mixture of pride and malice.

The woman's features were strikingly similar to Alexander's, the same dark eyes, the same sharp features. But the warmth in her gaze was absent.replaced by a cruel smile as she continued to study the picture.

The past was never far behind, and it was only a matter of time before Alexander would have to face it.