Chapter 183

Chapter 183
Freya's POV

The steady beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound breaking the silence in Alexander's VIP room. I sat in the uncomfortable hospital chair beside his bed, my hand gently smoothing the deep furrows between his brows. Even unconscious, he couldn't find peace.

'His body has healed from the silver poisoning,' I thought, watching his chest rise and fall with each breath. 'But the wounds to his soul... those run so much deeper.'

The events from the courthouse felt like a lifetime ago, though it had only been a few hours. Angela's confession, Cedric's breakdown, Alexander's sudden appearance and collapse – it all played on repeat in my mind.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. Edward appeared in the doorway, supporting a frail-looking Anson. Both elders looked like they'd aged years in the span of hours.

"How is he?" Edward asked quietly, his eyes fixed on his unconscious grandson.

"Stable," I replied, not moving my hand from Alexander's forehead. "The doctors say he's physically fine, just... overwhelmed."

"And Cedric?" I asked, concern creeping into my voice.

Edward's expression grew heavy. "The silver bullets are slowing his healing, but the doctors have it under control. The real damage..." He paused, shaking his head. "His heart is broken, Freya. He keeps saying 'I should have protected her,' 'I should have seen through Angela's lies.'"

"He's been blaming himself for not discovering the truth sooner," Edward continued. "The guilt is eating him alive."

Anson, who had been silent until now, suddenly stepped forward. His hands were trembling, and tears began streaming down his weathered face.

"Freya," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I... I don't know how to face you. How to face Alexander."

His seemed to give out, and Edward quickly steadied him.

"I gave Angela everything – our home, our education, our family name," he sobbed. "I treated her like my own granddaughter while your real family suffered."

His words came out in broken gasps. "I prevented you and Alexander from being together. I mistrusted the Faith family. All because I believed in that... that monster."

"Anson," Edward said gently, his hand on his shoulder. "Angela fooled everyone. Her deception was perfect."

"But I should have known!" Anson cried. "I'm supposed to be wise, experienced. Instead, my blindness and prejudice brought so much pain to this family."

I watched the broken male before me, feeling a complex mix of emotions. Yes, he had caused pain. But seeing him now, destroyed by the truth, I couldn't find it in my heart to hate him.

Another gentle knock made us all turn. Luke's small head peeked around the door, followed by Lily and Levi. Despite having just recovered from their own ordeal, all three children looked determined to be here.

"Mommy," Luke said softly, "we wanted to see Dad."

Before I could respond, Levi had rushed to the bedside. "Daddy! Daddy!" he cried, his small hands patting Alexander's arm. "Why are you sleeping again? You promised you'd always protect us!"

Lily approached more quietly, but her tears were already flowing. She carefully climbed onto the bed and hugged Alexander's arm. "Daddy, Luke just got better, and now you're sick too," she whispered. "Please wake up and see us. We've been really good."

Luke, trying to be the strong big brother despite his own worry, came to stand beside me. "Mommy, is Dad really just tired?" he asked, his voice carefully controlled.

'These children have been through so much already,' I thought, my heart breaking for them. 'Luke just recovered, and now they have to worry about Alexander too.'

I knelt down and gathered all three children in my arms. "Daddy is very tired and needs to rest," I said as steadily as I could. "But look – he's breathing normally. That means he's safe."

"We have to believe in Daddy," I continued, "just like you believed Mommy would make Luke better."

Edward stepped forward with a gentle smile. "Pups, are you hungry? It's dinner time. Why don't you come with me to the hospital restaurant? They have your favorite lobster."

"But we want to stay with Daddy," Lily protested, still clinging to Alexander's arm.

"We'll give your Mommy and Daddy some quiet time together," Edward explained patiently. "This way, when Daddy wakes up, the first person he'll see will be Mommy."

Luke, ever the mature one, nodded slowly. "We understand, Mommy. You need to take care of Dad."

Even though Lily and Levi were reluctant, they followed Luke's lead. Before leaving, each child placed a gentle kiss on Alexander's forehead.

"Daddy, we'll wait for you to wake up," they whispered in unison.

As the room fell quiet again, I finally allowed myself to drop the strong facade I'd maintained for the children. The weight of the day crashed over me like a tsunami.

I climbed onto the narrow hospital bed, carefully positioning myself beside Alexander. Resting my head on his shoulder, I placed my hand over his heart, feeling its steady rhythm.

"Alexander," I whispered into the growing darkness. "I know you can hear me."

"The truth is cruel, but it's not your fault. It's not your mother's fault either. Angela has paid for her crimes."

As the sun set outside the window, a nurse came in to turn on a soft bedside lamp. I pulled the thin hospital blanket over both of us.

"I'll stay with you," I promised, my voice barely audible. "No matter how long it takes, until you're ready to open your eyes."

The exhaustion and emotional toll of the day finally caught up with me. My tears, held back for so long, began to flow freely. I cried for Alexander's pain, for Linnet's tragic death, for the years of deception we'd all endured.

Eventually, lulled by Alexander's steady breathing and heartbeat, I drifted into sleep.

I woke to the gentle touch of early morning sunlight streaming through the window. For a moment, I was disoriented, then I felt it – a warm, intense gaze focused on me.

Slowly, I lifted my head and found myself looking directly into Alexander's deep, familiar eyes.

He was awake, and for the first time since the courthouse, there was no pain in his gaze – only profound love, gratitude, and something that looked like... peace.

We stared at each other in perfect silence, no words needed.