Chapter 73 The Stratagem of Self-Inflicted Injury

Chapter 73 The Stratagem of Self-Inflicted Injury

Sienna was speechless, turning to glance at Paxton with exasperation.

"Get someone to help carry him back—he has pneumonia and he'll die if we don't get him treatment now!" she commanded urgently.

Paxton nodded and summoned bodyguards to carry Alexander to the car. Sienna and Gage climbed in as well, though Gage regarded Alexander with obvious disgust. However, with Sienna present, he restrained himself from delivering any more blows.

The Smith family had never anticipated Alexander's brazen arrival, especially in such dire condition. Beyond the pneumonia, he had broken ribs—the combination of fractures and high fever had nearly killed him.

The three children noticed Alexander being carried inside and gathered anxiously at the doorway, peering in with worried expressions. When Olivia spotted Alexander, she instinctively approached and gently grasped his finger.

"Daddy! Did you come to see me? Why are you sleeping?" she whispered with innocent concern.

Seeing Olivia enter, Henry and William followed, all three children studying Alexander's frail appearance with visible worry etched across their young faces.

"Olivia, your daddy needs rest because he's not feeling well. We can visit him once he wakes up, okay?" Sienna lifted Olivia into her arms, but the little girl struggled fiercely, refusing to leave.

"Want Daddy, want Daddy!" she cried desperately.

Left with no choice, Sienna set Olivia down and watched as she quickly scrambled onto the bed, curling up beside Alexander's still form.

"I'll stay with Daddy so he gets better!" she declared with childlike determination.

Henry and William climbed up as well, settling obediently beside their sister. The sight broke Sienna's composure—tears welling in her eyes as she fled the bedroom.

This scene had once been everything she'd dreamed of, but now it felt heartbreakingly bittersweet.

Ethan stood in the hallway, witnessing Sienna's breakdown. He pulled her into a protective embrace with gentle understanding.

"Sienna, you've suffered enough all these years. Don't worry—I'm here now, and no one will hurt you again," he murmured reassuringly.

Sienna nodded, burying her face against Ethan's shoulder as her tears flowed freely. Amara watched nearby, her own heart aching at the painful scene.

Inside the bedroom, the three children maintained their vigil over Alexander. Amara felt deeply moved by their devotion—they'd never lived with their father, yet their need for paternal love remained undeniable and unchangeable.

"That Alexander—playing the victim card like a master manipulator!" Gage muttered through gritted teeth, his anger palpable. Though Alexander was a grown man, his tactics seemed almost calculating.

Watching Gage's fury, Amara actually smiled with knowing wisdom.

"If he's scheming, it means he truly cares about Sienna. She's endured enough pain these years—let's not add to her suffering," she said gently.

Amara had reviewed Alexander's medical records. He'd awakened from detoxification just two hours before boarding a plane to find them. His reckless pursuit despite his condition proved his genuine feelings—if he didn't care about Sienna and the children, he wouldn't have risked his life to reach them.

Alexander's injuries were severe. He remained unconscious with high fever for three days and nights while Olivia worried constantly, hovering at the doorway.

"Mommy, isn't Daddy better yet?" Olivia asked anxiously. Sienna gathered her daughter in her arms with tender reassurance.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. Your daddy will recover soon. But his fever might be contagious, so please go play with your brothers, okay?"

Olivia nodded reluctantly and departed with obvious reluctance. Sienna returned to the bedroom to administer acupuncture treatment to Alexander.

After three acupuncture sessions, his fever finally broke. Alexander awakened five days later, looking haggard and weak. Opening his eyes to find Sienna asleep beside his bed, his expression immediately brightened with joy.

How long had it been since he'd seen Sienna at such close proximity? It seemed that since her departure five years ago, such moments existed only in his dreams.

"Sienna..." his voice emerged hoarse and barely audible.

Sienna stirred awake, her face lighting up with relief and surprise. "You're awake! Are you experiencing any discomfort anywhere?" 

She instinctively touched his forehead to check for fever, a gesture that filled Alexander with overwhelming happiness. Perhaps enduring that beating had been worthwhile after all.

However, each breath sent sharp pain through his chest, triggering a violent coughing fit. Sienna quickly helped regulate his breathing and offered him water, which gradually eased his distress.

"Where are the children?" he asked weakly.

Sienna smiled warmly at his immediate concern. "They're downstairs having dinner—they should be up shortly."

As if summoned by their conversation, footsteps echoed from below. Sienna recognized William's distinctive gait, followed by two other sets—clearly all three children ascending the stairs.

"Mommy, time for dinner!" William called out, having come upstairs to deliver a meal. He pushed open the door only to freeze upon seeing Alexander sitting upright and looking directly at him. The bowl in his small hands crashed to the floor.

"Stinky Daddy, I thought you were going to die!" he exclaimed with raw emotion.

Alexander hadn't anticipated such a reunion with William. The other two children rushed in and began crying as well, all three embracing Alexander in a tearful group hug that was nearly deafening.

"I'm perfectly fine, aren't I? Henry, William, don't cry. If you cry, your sister will cry too—you need to be strong," Alexander comforted them gently.

Henry nodded, wiping his tears with his sleeve and composing himself. Once he stopped crying, William followed suit, and soon all three children were playing happily with Alexander, whose mood soared at their presence.

When Elodie learned of Alexander's recovery, she brought porridge upstairs with evident relief.

"Mr. Knight, you're finally awake!" she exclaimed gratefully.

Alexander nodded weakly. "Elodie, please call Grandfather and tell him I've recovered so they won't worry."

"Of course, Mr. Knight!" Elodie departed cheerfully to make the call.

Sienna fed Alexander carefully and supervised his medication before suggesting rest.

"Get some more sleep. Tonight I'll have someone help you bathe and change clothes."

Alexander frowned with indignation. "Have someone help me? Have strangers been changing my clothes these past few days? You actually let other people touch your husband's body, Sienna—how could you treat me this way?"

Sienna was utterly exasperated by his accusation.

"I personally changed your clothes and bathed you during your fever. Did you expect me to continue bathing you now? Alexander, who's being unreasonable here?"

Alexander's lips curved into a satisfied smile as he reached for Sienna's hand, but she pulled away firmly.

"Sleep now. You must be exhausted after everything you've endured."

Alexander grasped Sienna's hand persistently. "Stay with me."

Sienna nodded and remained until he fell asleep before carefully extracting her hand. Upon leaving the room, she discovered all three children sitting vigil outside the door, which gave her an immediate headache.

"Your daddy's sleeping and needs rest. Henry, please take your siblings to play, okay?"

Henry considered this thoughtfully before nodding. "Okay, Mommy. Come on, it's time for lessons."

The Smith family had hired private tutors for the three children. Despite their concern for Alexander, they obediently went to their studies.

Sienna shook her head with fond exasperation and headed to Ethan's office. He was busy working but looked up with a warm smile upon seeing her.

"Sienna, what can I do for you?"

Sienna approached with her own smile. "I'd like to use the medical laboratory—would that be possible?"

Ethan regarded her with amused affection. "Our family's medical laboratory belongs to Mother, and she's given you full access. Use whatever you need, and just ask if you require anything else."

Sienna nodded gratefully and turned to leave, but Ethan called after her.

"Sienna, could you bring me some coffee?"

Sienna nodded and went to fetch a coffee cup, heading downstairs to prepare the beverage before returning to place it on his desk.

Ethan's computer screen remained visible throughout their interaction, displaying a video conference with all Smith Group executives. They watched in respectful silence as Ethan cheerfully asked Sienna to serve him coffee, his expression radiating obvious pride in having such a wonderful sister—a clear display of familial affection that wasn't lost on his business associates.