CHAPTER 66

As Alexander was deep in thought, examining the photo and the necklace, Margaret emerged from the bathroom in a bathrobe. Seeing Alexander holding the frame, she walked over, her curiosity piqued.

Upon noticing her approach, Alexander quickly slipped the necklace into his pocket and set the frame down. "Is this your photo?" he asked softly, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

Margaret’s gaze shifted to the picture, and a soft smile touched her lips. "Yes, that's my elder brother, Lucas," she said, pointing at the boy in the photo. She paused, a reminiscent look in her eyes. “That’s me with one of my front teeth missing,” she chuckled.

Margaret’s gaze softened as she pointed to the boy next to her, as she continued. "And this is Victor. He was Lucas's best friend. They were inseparable."

Alexander watched her with interest, sensing a mix of nostalgia and warmth in her tone. "You seem fond of these memories," he said gently.

Margaret nodded, her eyes still on the picture. "I am. These were happier times. Why don’t you go take your bath? When you’re back, I’ll show you more about my family and share a bit about my life."

Alexander smiled, sensing the moment was significant for her. "Sure, I’ll be quick."

He was about to enter the bathroom when Margaret suddenly screamed. Startled, Alexander ran back to her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his concern evident.

“I’m pressed!” Margaret said urgently. “I need to pee!”

Alexander quickly stepped aside, allowing her to enter. Once she was in, Margaret began to search for the pregnancy test kit she had dropped earlier. She tried to be as quiet as possible, rummaging through the drawers and cabinets.

Meanwhile, Alexander’s voice called out from outside the door. “Are you done?”

Margaret’s heart raced as she frantically searched. Finally, she opened one last drawer and spotted the test kit. She quickly stuffed it into her bathrobe pocket, flushed the toilet, and composed herself before heading out.

As Margaret exited the bathroom, Alexander greeted her with a playful grin. “Why were you in there so long?” he asked, trying to sound casual but with a hint of curiosity.

Margaret shrugged, a slight blush on her cheeks. “Oh, I was just…”

Seeing her flustered state, Alexander reached out and gently pulled her towards him. “Come here,” he said softly, guiding her closer.

Margaret found herself pressed against him, her heart racing. Alexander’s eyes twinkled with mischief as he leaned in and whispered, “Or are you just so eager that’s why your pee took forever?”

Margaret looked at him with a mix of surprise and amusement. Before she could respond, Alexander’s playful demeanor shifted to intense focus. He pressed her back against the wall, his lips finding hers in a passionate kiss.

Margaret’s breath caught as the kiss deepened. His hands roamed her back, pulling her closer, their bodies pressing together. The desire in the kiss made her pulse quicken. She responded with equal enthusiasm, their tongues dancing in a rhythm of longing.

Alexander’s hands moved to lift her, his strong arms enveloping her as he carried her towards the bathroom. The heat between them was palpable, their breaths mingling in the confined space.

As Alexander reached for Margaret's robe, his hand brushed against her pocket. She looked up at him with a playful glint in her eye. "Go take a shower," she said breathlessly. "I’ll be waiting for you."

Momentarily distracted by her words, Alexander set her down gently on the bed. He looked into her eyes with a mixture of desire and affection. “Alright,” he said, his voice low and sultry. “I’ll be back soon.”

He kissed her tenderly on the forehead before heading toward the bathroom. Margaret watched him go, her heart still pounding from the intensity and the near discovery. Margaret quickly ran and hid the pregnancy test kit.

In the bathroom, Alexander noticed a drawer was slightly open. Curious and a bit suspicious, he looked through it but found nothing. Alexander remembered how startled Margaret had been earlier and couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He scoured the drawer but found nothing unusual. Shaking his head, he closed it and stepped into the shower.

Alexander's mind wandered back to Margaret’s behavior as the warm water cascaded over him. The sense of something hidden nagged at him, dampening the excitement he had felt moments before. Despite the relaxing shower, he couldn't shake the feeling of suspicion.

When he emerged from the bathroom, his mood had shifted. Still waiting on the bed, Margaret tried to reignite the earlier passion, but Alexander’s responses were lukewarm. Her attempts to kiss and draw him close were met with polite but distant reactions.

Sensing his change in demeanor, Margaret pulled back, her brow furrowing in concern. “Is everything alright, Alexander?”

He forced a smile, trying to mask his unease. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Just... tired, I guess.”

Margaret could see through his facade but decided not to press the issue. Instead, she offered, “How about I show you some pictures of my family and my childhood? I’ve been meaning to share them with you.”

Alexander nodded, “I’d like that.”

Margaret fetched an old photo album from her wardrobe and sat beside him on the bed. She flipped through the pages and pointed out various pictures, sharing stories and memories. There were photos of her as a child, her family, and her brother Lucas and his friend Victor. Each story she told brought a smile, her eyes lit with nostalgia.

Alexander listened intently; Margaret’s warmth and love for her family during childhood were evident in every word.

Eventually, as the night grew late, they put the album away. Margaret snuggled close to Alexander, and he wrapped his arm around her.

“Thank you for sharing that with me,” Alexander whispered, kissing her head. They fell asleep holding each other.

Alexander arrived at Riverside General Hospital, carrying flowers to check on his best friend. He navigated through the hallways until he reached Room 204. Peering through the small window on the door, he saw Caisse inside, cleaning Andrew and talking with him.

Alexander knocked on the door. Caisse turned, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. “I’m so sorry,” she said quickly, gathering her things. “I was just about to leave.”

Alexander stepped into the room, his expression serious. “What is your relationship with Andrew?” he asked.