Chapter 104 No Intention of Going Back
The sudden closeness pushed that ambiguous vibe to the max.
The warm yellow light in the hospital room illuminated the man's face, making his already sharp features appear even more defined.
Alex held her hand tight, his fingers pressing through her thin clothing, clearly feeling the softness of her waist. It was warm, carrying her unique scent.
In an instant, the possessiveness in his eyes deepened. He pressed his lips to her earlobe, his voice low: "I'm not turning back. Emily, you know me."
But those words hit Emily like a heavy punch to the chest.
She jerked her head up: "You're crazy! Alex, let go! It's been over between us since the divorce. You should know that—we can never be together again!"
She pushed hard, but it didn't budge Alex at all.
He easily grabbed her wrist and pinned both her hands behind her back, holding her tight.
Alex narrowed his eyes: "Never? Then you and Matthew can? You married into the Baker family first. You were the one who..."
"Enough!" Emily cut him off sharply, but she held back, afraid of waking their daughter on the bed.
She went cold: "That's all in the past. If I'd known back then, I never would've agreed to the family marriage! I have my own life now, and it has nothing to do with you. Please keep your distance, Mr. Baker!"
Alex's brows furrowed.
She was this firm about it?
Or had Matthew already gotten into her heart?
"Emily, you..."
Before he could finish, a soft whimper cut him off. "Mmm, Mommy..."
The childish voice was as soft as cotton candy. All the distance and coldness vanished from Emily's face in that moment.
She forgot about arguing with Alex and quickly turned to the bed.
Eleanor was slowly opening her eyes, looking around in confusion. When her gaze landed on Emily, they lit up: "Mommy!"
"Baby's awake?" Emily broke free from Alex's arm and hurried to the bedside. She bent down and gently touched her daughter's little face. "Anywhere still hurt? Does your hand hurt? Tell Mommy if anything feels off."
Eleanor grabbed her finger: "Mommy... I'm thirsty."
Emily was about to get up and pour water when a cup suddenly appeared in front of her.
She looked up and met the man's eyes.
But Alex wasn't looking at her—his gaze was all on Eleanor, with a softness in his eyes he didn't even notice.
Emily's heart tightened. She instinctively pulled Eleanor behind her: "My daughter needs to rest, so Mr. Baker should go. Please close the door on your way out."
She was scared—scared of what Alex might do to Eleanor.
Even more scared... that he'd figure it out.
Just then, Eleanor spotted Alex too. She tilted her little head, then flashed a sweet smile: "Handsome uncle!"
Her bright, crisp voice hit Alex like a sudden bump in his chest.
He looked at the delicate little girl in front of him. Her smile curved her lips just like Emily's—about seventy or eighty percent alike. A strange, burning feeling surged in his chest.
It was a new sensation. He actually wanted to hold this child close...
Alex raised his brows slightly: "Want a hug?"
Boom!
Emily's heart jumped to her throat.
Alex had never liked kids.
Now he was offering to hold Eleanor?
Was it because he'd raised a child with Grace, so he'd changed?
But Emily didn't have time to overthink. She blocked him right away: "Don't touch her."
Her eyes were full of wariness—she clearly didn't trust him.
Alex clearly saw how protective she was of the child.
For some reason, he suddenly found it funny.
Since when had he lost all credibility with her?
Alex slowly pulled his hand back: "What's this? Is this little one so precious that I can't even touch her?"
Emily sneered: "Anyone can hold her except you. Mr. Baker has his own son and family—I don't want my daughter getting mixed up in it. If Mr. Baker insists on staying, I'll have to call Miss Miller."
Alex's whole body went colder: "What does she have to do with it? And that kid..."
"Enough." Emily looked at him, too tired to argue anymore.
She just wanted to quietly stay with her daughter right now.
She took a deep breath and pushed down all her emotions: "Eleanor just woke up and needs rest. Go home—Grandma can't be left alone."
Alex saw the rejection in her eyes and pressed his lips tight.
The air went quiet.
In the end, he didn't say more. He just gave her a deep look.
Only after he left the room did Emily let out a heavy sigh.
Suddenly, Eleanor on the bed tugged at her clothes: "Mommy, you don't like handsome uncle?"
Don't you like him?
Emily's heart ached.
But after all these years, she'd gone numb.
Like? That word was too much to ask .
She gently tucked her daughter's hair behind her ear.
Looking at this face that looked more and more like Alex's, she forced a smile: "Eleanor, be good. The most important thing now is getting better. Mommy will stay with you. Sleep a bit more, okay?"
Eleanor nodded.
She was still little, and had just woken from a high fever, so she fell back asleep fast.
Emily was about to order two light breakfasts when footsteps came from the door.
Michael stood there awkwardly: "Um... Miss Johnson, I bought some sweets "
"They're all custom-made from a private shop—clean ingredients, not too sweet. It's fine for the little miss."
"Take them!"
He set them down and left quick, like he'd get rejected if he stayed a second longer.
The fancy packages at the door had seven or eight kinds of sweets.
Emily rubbed her forehead helplessly.
Had Alex ever actually taken care of a kid?
Didn't he know kids can't eat too much sugar?
She was really speechless.
But looking at her daughter's sleeping face, she hesitated, then brought all the sweets into the room.
Fever means medicine, and sweets would help it go down easier.
Plus... she couldn't stop Alex from being good to Eleanor.
Her daughter deserved his care.
Emily slumped back by the bed, feeling totally drained.