Chapter 258 Love him

Chapter 258 Love him
Lucas's father laughed bitterly. “Legal proceedings against me. For what?"
   Caleb's eyes never wavered.
   "For manipulation. For coercion, and for contributing to the chain of events that placed Lucas in danger."
   The hallway fell silent again.
Lucas's father's expression changed.
For the first time, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face.
   Caleb spoke one final time.
   "If you truly love your son, then stop deciding his life for him, because every decision you've forced upon him has only brought him pain."
   The security officers gently but firmly escorted Lucas's stunned father away from the ward.
   His angry protests echoed down the corridor until they finally faded into silence.
   A few minutes later, everyone left.
   Inside the private room, Alex remained seated beside Lucas's bed.
He gently took Lucas's hand in both of his.
   Lowering his forehead against it, he whispered through fresh tears,
"I almost lost you today. I won't let anything happen to you or our little miracle. Please wake up for your Alex.”
   As night settled over the hospital.
The corridors grew quieter, with only the occasional footsteps of nurses making their rounds.
   Inside the private room, the soft glow of a bedside lamp illuminated Lucas's peaceful face. The steady rhythm of the heart monitor echoed gently, with its beep sound.
   Alex sat beside the bed, his fingers intertwined with Lucas's. He hadn't moved for nearly two hours.
   Every now and then, he would brush his thumb over Lucas's knuckles, silently praying for him to wake up.
   His phone vibrated. The screen showed Mom calling.
   He answered quietly. "Hello, Mom."
   "Alex dear," Sally's gentle voice came through. "How is Lucas?”
   “He hasn't woken up yet but he is stable.”
   “Have you had dinner yet?"
   Alex's eyes remained on Lucas.
"No."
   A brief pause followed. "Why not?"
   "I'm not hungry." He responded.
   There was another silence.
   Then Sally's voice changed completely.
   "What do you mean you're not hungry?"
   Alex sighed. "Mom..."
   "No, don't 'Mom' me." Her tone became firm.
   "You've been crying all day. You've been running around since the accident. And now you're telling me you haven't eaten?"
   Alex rubbed his tired eyes. "I just... can't."
   "Yes, you can. You have to eat even if it's just a little."
   Her voice softened, but it carried the authority only a mother possessed.
   "If you collapse, who is going to look after Lucas?"
   Alex remained quiet.
   "And who is going to take care of my grandbaby?"
   Those words made him swallow hard but Sally continued, "Lucas needs you. The baby needs you.
So I am ordering you as your mother to go and eat something. Even if it's only a few bites. Do you understand me?"
   A faint smile tugged at Alex's lips despite everything. "Yes, Mom."
   "Good. And don't lie to me. I know all your tricks. Eat something."
   "I won't trick you."
   "Call me if he wakes up."
   "Alright, I will."
   The call ended.
   Alex slipped the phone back into his pocket.
   He glanced toward the untouched bottle of water beside him.
   "I'll eat later..." he whispered to himself, but deep down, he knew he wouldn't. He simply wasn't capable of swallowing anything while Lucas lay unconscious.
   About thirty minutes later, a soft knock sounded on the door.
   Alex barely looked up and answered, "Come in."
   The door opened.
   Emily stepped inside carrying a woven food basket in one hand and a flask in the other.
   Alex immediately recognized what it was. He sighed.
   "No, Em…I'm really not hungry."
   Emily closed the door behind her.
"I know, brother-in-law."
   Alex blinked. “Brother-in-law?"
She nodded innocently. "Yes. I think it suits you."
   Alex couldn't help it. A tired laugh escaped him. "Are you trying to mess with my brain at a time like this?"
   Emily grinned. "If making you smile gets food into your stomach...then yes."
   Alex shook his head, still smiling faintly. "You're impossible."
   "I learned from the best." She walked over and placed the basket on the nearby table.
   The aroma of warm homemade food filled the room.
   Alex looked away. "I'm still not hungry."
   Emily didn't argue. Instead, she gently reached for his hand.
"Come on." He looked at her.
   "Let's step outside for a little fresh air."
   She squeezed his fingers lightly.
"Just five minutes. You've been sitting here for hours. 
   She glanced toward Lucas. “If he woke up right now and saw how exhausted you look, he'd scold you first before thanking you for staying."
   Alex lowered his head. "I know, he'd probably force-feed me himself," he murmured with a weak smile.
   Emily smiled back. "Exactly. So don't make him do that after he wakes up."
   After a long moment, Alex finally nodded. "Okay."
   He carefully laid Lucas's hand back on the bed. Leaning down, he kissed Lucas gently on the forehead.
   "I'll only be gone for a few minutes, baby. I'll be right back."
   Then he stood.
   Emily picked up the basket and flask.
   As they stepped into the hallway, Jerry and Marvis immediately straightened. "Boss."
   Alex looked at them. "I'm just going to eat something."
   He nodded toward the room.
"Watch him."
   Jerry answered immediately. "With our lives."
   Marvis nodded. "No one gets in without our permission."
   Alex gave a grateful nod before following Emily down the quiet corridor.
   They found a small waiting area overlooking the hospital gardens.
   Emily unpacked the basket. Homemade vegetable soup, grilled fish, rice, fresh fruit, and warm tea.
   Alex stared at the food without touching it.
   Emily picked up a spoon and held it toward him. "Don't make me feed you."
   Alex laughed quietly. "You wouldn't dare."
   "Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "Try me."
   For the first time that day, a genuine smile appeared on Alex's face. He accepted the spoon from her. "Fine. I surrender."
   He took a small bite. Then another.
It wasn't much, but it was enough.
   Emily watched with quiet relief.
"See? You survived."
   Alex nodded slowly. "I guess I did."
His eyes drifted toward the hospital building.
   "I just need him to wake up..."
   Emily reached across the table and covered his hand with hers. "He will. He is a fighter."
   She smiled reassuringly. "And when he does, he's going to need a strong daddy beside him."
   Alex looked down at the half-finished meal before taking another bite.
   For Lucas, and for the tiny miracle they were both fighting to protect.
   Close to an hour later, the front door to Westman’s house clicked open. Emily stepped into the living room carrying the empty food basket in one hand and the flask in the other.
   She had barely taken two steps before a chair scraped harshly across the floor.
   Her father shot to his feet, his face dark with anger.
   "So..." he said through gritted teeth. "You're supporting that manipulative Alex now?"
   Emily stopped in her tracks. She slowly set the basket on the coffee table before looking him straight in the eye.
   "I'm supporting my brother."
   Her father scoffed. "That boy has fooled all of you. He knows exactly how to make people pity him."
   "No, Dad." Emily's voice remained calm but firm. "You're the one refusing to see the truth."