Chapter 113 Don't Harbor Inappropriate Feelings for Me
Grace had been bedridden for over a month before she could manage to sit up. After lying down for so long, her limbs had stiffened considerably. According to the doctor, her broken bones were gradually healing, but she still faced a long road of physical therapy before she could walk again.
Shortly after Grace regained consciousness, Liam and Max returned to school.
Every day after classes, Alexander had his driver pick up Liam and Max and take them to the hospital.
Initially, Max was resentful and didn't want to see Alexander, much less ride in his car. However, Liam repeatedly assured him that aside from the daily driver service, Alexander wouldn't appear at all.
Only then did Max reluctantly agree to share the commute with him.
Grace was also actively recovering from her injuries.
Alexander had assigned several five-star private nurses to care for her, attending to every detail with exceptional thoroughness.
While recovering, Grace had also gained some weight, which pleased her greatly.
After all, she had been far too thin before—five-foot-six and barely weighing 100 pounds.
Throughout that month, Alexander truly disappeared as she had wished.
Except for having his driver bring Liam over each day and pick him up in the evening, Grace almost forgot he existed.
That same month proved much more challenging for Emily.
In just thirty days, her facial collapse had worsened dramatically.
Although her toxic skin rash had improved significantly with treatment and no longer caused pain or itching, her face was visibly deteriorating at an alarming rate.
The muscle atrophy in her face caused one side to droop helplessly, like melted wax.
Emily consulted numerous excellent doctors, but none had any viable solutions.
One specialist diagnosed it as facial paralysis caused by nerve damage. She tried acupuncture and steroid medications, but nothing helped—the condition only worsened.
Finally, she contacted a renowned hospital abroad. A professor there said surgical intervention might repair her facial paralysis, though he couldn't guarantee her appearance would fully recover.
Moreover, the surgery came with a hefty price tag—over $500,000 for the operation alone, followed by a series of reconstructive surgeries. Without those additional procedures, even if the surgery succeeded, her appearance would be dramatically altered.
Emily struggled to recall what had happened that day, but couldn't remember what had occurred to her body.
Her memory seemed to have been partially erased, and the more she tried to remember, the worse her headaches became.
The facial paralysis also brought other complications. Beyond the obvious drooping and drooling, she suffered from persistent headaches that even painkillers couldn't touch.
Emily booked the overseas surgery and purchased her plane tickets.
She had always been vain about her appearance, and even if it meant undergoing reconstructive surgery, she was determined to restore her face.
"Alexander..." Emily called him. "My flight is next week for the surgery. Haven't you forgiven me yet?"
Since that incident, Alexander had been extremely cold toward her, essentially ignoring her existence.
Though he continued paying for her surgery and hospital bills, he rarely visited her.
Even so, Emily still harbored hope.
Grace hadn't pressed charges against her, which surely meant Alexander had used his influence to suppress the matter.
He was protecting her.
This meant he still cared about her. To protect her, he had even severed ties with Grace—they no longer saw each other.
At least she had achieved that goal!
"The doctor says this surgery carries significant risks," Emily said. "Whether I'll make it off the operating table safely is uncertain. I'm leaving next week. Could you see me off?"
"I don't have time," Alexander replied.
Emily felt disappointed. "Have you been very busy lately?"
Alexander confirmed with a simple "Yes. Very busy."
Emily persisted. "Too busy to spare even a moment to see me?"
Alexander fell silent.
Emily bit her lip. "Alexander, I'm sorry. If you dislike me, it must be because I've done something wrong. So, I'm sorry."
"That matter doesn't need to be discussed again," Alexander said. He had spoiled Emily, enabling her to commit such a heinous act.
Since Brice's death, he had treated Emily as family. As her quasi-guardian, he naturally bore responsibility for the consequences of her actions.
"I just want to see you once," Emily said softly. "Just once."
After her words fell, another long silence stretched between them.
Just as Emily wondered how to break the silence, Alexander suddenly said, "2 PM. Royal Knight Cafe."
"Yes!" Emily was overjoyed.
2 PM. Royal Knight Cafe.
Emily arrived as scheduled.
She pushed open the private room door to find Alexander already there.
The man sat on the sofa, head down, reading a financial magazine. Under the warm afternoon light, his handsome profile appeared both cold and captivating.
Emily approached and asked gently, "Alexander, have you been waiting long?"
Without looking up, Alexander said, "Sit."
Emily sat across from him somewhat nervously. A cup of hot latte waited for her—he had ordered her favorite drink.
He still remembered she loved hot lattes.
Warmth filled Emily's heart.
She cradled the coffee cup, her fingertips tracing the rim, but didn't dare remove the mask covering her face.
Her face was disfigured now. Until she restored her appearance, she couldn't bear for him to see her.
"Alexander... I..." Emily began hesitantly. Due to her collapsed facial muscles, her speech was somewhat slurred.
Alexander set down his magazine and finally looked up, fixing her with a cold stare. "Some things need to be said clearly in person."
He never liked beating around the bush. Certain matters needed to be addressed directly.
Emily looked at him blankly. "What things?"
In an almost cruel tone, Alexander said, "Emily, you'd better not harbor any inappropriate feelings for me."
Such harsh words left Emily speechless for a long moment.
"What do you mean?"
Alexander spoke bluntly. "You were entrusted to me by Brice. I promised him I'd take care of you for life, but that doesn't mean I'll necessarily marry you."
Emily responded defensively, "Is it Liam? Does Liam dislike me, so you're rejecting me?"
"I have no romantic feelings for you whatsoever," Alexander said. "It's purely obligation. Even if I married you as you wish, I would never touch you."
"That's fine!" Emily quickly replied. "Alexander, marriage doesn't have to involve romance anyway. It can be based purely on responsibility."
"But I don't want to now," Alexander stated.
Emily was completely stunned.
Alexander's brutally honest words hit her like a physical blow.
Emily shook her head. "Alexander, I thought... I thought I was special to you."
"You are special," Alexander said. "But only in the literal sense."