Chapter 189: More scheming

The rest of the day passed in a blur for Lucas.

Doctors came and left. Nurses checked on him occasionally. Even

His father stopped by twice, each time reminding him to rest and avoid “unnecessary stress,” which Lucas knew was another way of saying avoid Alex.

However, avoiding Alex proved harder than he expected. This was because somehow, Alex remained in his thoughts. Every quiet moment brought back the sadness in his eyes before he left. Every silence reminded him of the warmth of his touch. The worst part was that it frustrated him.

By evening, the sky outside the hospital windows had darkened completely when Derby finally arrived.

Lucas heard her before he properly saw her. The soft click of heels against the tiled floor. Then the door opened.

A beautiful young woman stepped in, elegant even after what looked like a rushed trip. Her hair framed her face neatly. The moment she saw Lucas, concern immediately filled her expression.

“Oh my God, Lucas dear.” She hurried toward him.

Lucas straightened slightly on the bed, watching her carefully.

Derby stopped beside him and gently touched his arm. “I was terrified when your father told me what happened.”

There was affection and real concern in her voice. Yet Lucas still felt strangely detached, like he was watching someone else’s life unfold.

“I’m okay,” he said quietly.

“You don’t look okay, dear.” Her brows pulled together softly. “You scared everyone.”

She sat beside him naturally, comfortably, like someone who belonged there.

Then she smiled faintly. “You know, when your dad called, all I could think about was our wedding plans.”

Lucas stiffened slightly at the reminder.

Derby pretended not to notice his reaction.

“You promised me,” she continued lightly, trying to ease the mood, “that after the registry wedding, we’d travel somewhere quiet for a few days before the big family celebration.”

Lucas stared at her but nothing seemed to make sense and no memory surfaced. Even no feeling attached itself to her words. It felt very empty. Still, he forced a small nod.

“I… see.”

She looked at him carefully then, noticing the uncertainty in his eyes.

“Come on dear, it’s okay if you don’t remember everything yet,” she said gently, reaching for his hand. “We already planned our future together, Lucas. You’ll remember eventually.” She said with a beautiful smile.

Future? The word echoed strangely in his chest. He wanted to believe her. She sounded sincere, even perfect.

A good fiancée, a peaceful future. That was exactly what his father wanted for him.

So, why did it all feel so distant?

Why did it feel rehearsed somehow? While the pain in Alex’s voice earlier felt unbearably real?

Lucas lowered his gaze quietly.

“Maybe, I will remember.”

Derby smiled softly, though something unreadable flickered briefly in her eyes before disappearing.

“Hope you're eating well, hmm?”

“Yeah, I'm fine.

“You need rest,” she murmured. “Everything will work out.”

Lucas didn’t answer, because honestly, he wasn’t sure anymore.

He bid him goodnight with an unexpected peck on his cheek with a promise to visit tomorrow.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Alex’s entire day spiraled into chaos as he went from one meeting to another.

Problems that demanded immediate attention were handled.

Twice he tried leaving early for the hospital, and twice something dragged him back. By the time he finally got into his car, night had already swallowed the city whole.

Frustration sat heavily on him.

His phone rested in his hand for several seconds before he finally called.

Lucas answered after the third ring. “Hello?”

The sound of his voice immediately softened something inside Alex. “Hey,” Alex said quietly as he drove. “How are you feeling?”

There was a brief pause.

“I’m okay.”

But the distance was there. Their conversation wasn't like before. Alex noticed it instantly. Still, he kept his voice calm. “Did you eat?”

“Yes.”

“Did the doctors say anything new?”

“No.”

Lucas gave short answers to every question asked. He sounded too polite and guarded.

Alex tightened his grip on the steering wheel slightly. He hated that feeling. He hated hearing Lucas speak to him like he was someone unfamiliar. Yet he swallowed the pain down.

“You should rest,” Alex said gently after a while.

“You too,” Lucas said, sounding concerned.

The response surprised him a little. A faint smile touched his lips despite everything.

“Lucas?”

“Hmm?”

“You’ll remember eventually,” Alex said softly. “Don’t pressure yourself, okay.”

Silence lingered briefly on the line.

Then Lucas asked quietly, “Why are you so sure?”

“Baby, you will because I know what we meant to each other. Because I know you loved me.

Because I still love you more than anything.”

Alex exhaled softly. “Because I know you. You're my sweetheart, only you.”

Lucas didn’t respond because he didn't know what to say. But those words made his heart race.

Neither of them hung up immediately. It was strangely comforting. A bit painful, but comforting.

After a while, the line disconnected.

And hours later, Alex finally arrived at the hospital since he couldn't bring himself to go home. The corridors were nearly empty, and quiet under dim lights.

When he stepped into Lucas’s room, he found him already deep in sleep.

Alex stopped by the doorway for a moment, exhaustion washing over him as he looked at him.

Even sleeping, Lucas looked troubled. His brows were faintly furrowed, like even his dreams offered no peace.

Alex’s chest tightened painfully.

Slowly, he walked closer. Careful not to wake him. He stood beside the bed in silence, simply watching him.

The rise and fall of his breathing.

The familiar softness of his face.

The man who looked so close, yet suddenly felt impossibly far away.

Alex reached out instinctively, brushing a few strands of hair away from Lucas’s forehead.

His touch lingered briefly.

“I miss you already,” he whispered hoarsely.

Lucas shifted slightly in his sleep but didn’t wake.

Alex smiled sadly at that. Then after one last look, he turned and quietly left the room.

By the next morning, chaos erupted at the hospital parking lot.

The early calm of the hospital environment was shattered the instant Alex stepped out of his car. He had barely shut the door when Lucas’s father stormed out through the hospital entrance, his face dark with rage.

The older man froze the moment his eyes landed on Alex.

“You!” he barked loudly, his voice echoing across the parking lot. “What the heck are you doing here again?! Haven’t I warned you to stay away from my son?!”

Several people turned immediately. Nurses walking past slowed down while a few visitors paused to watch the unfolding drama.

Alex stiffened. Exhaustion already weighed heavily on him after another sleepless night. The hostility only made it worse.

“Sir, please lower your voice.”

“Lower my voice?” Lucas’s father snapped, pointing angrily at him. “My son almost died because of you and you expect me to stay calm?!”

Alex clenched his jaw. “That’s not what happened. I will never wish him dead. I love him.”

“Keep your silly love to yourself?” the man shot back bitterly. “Ever since you entered his life, all he has known is pain! First kidnapped and now this accident. What next? Do you want to kill him completely?!”