Chapter 141
Grace's POV
I pushed back from my desk, rubbing my tired eyes. 9:47 PM, but the project approval was finally complete. The team Alex had provided for me was invaluable—what should have taken a week was finished in a single days.
After a week of treatment by his private medical team, Alex's body had recovered basic mobility, but he couldn't make any strenuous movements.
My phone buzzed. A text from Julie: All handover documents ready. Team briefed for your absence. Take care of Alex.
Despite my exhaustion, I smiled. To focus on taking care of Alex's recovery, I would handle the urgent documents on hand as quickly as possible, then take some time off.
My phone kept buzzing, showing messages I'd been ignoring all day. Alex's name appeared repeatedly on the screen.
2:14 PM: How's the project going? Don't skip lunch.
4:30 PM: Lucas is on standby whenever you need a ride home.
6:45 PM: Grace, please eat something. I had dinner delivered to your office.
8:20 PM: Are you still working? It's getting late.
I stared at these messages, my chest tightening. Alex's concern was overwhelming, but I recognized the pattern. He was scared. Terrified, actually. The more he cared about something, the tighter he tried to hold on.
I dialed his number. He picked up before the first ring finished.
"Grace." His voice was rougher than usual, exhaustion making it even more magnetic. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Are you at the Morgan estate?"
"No, I'm at your apartment. I wanted to be here when you got home."
My heart clenched. "Alex, you should be resting. The doctor said—"
"The medical staff at the estate are too... attentive," he interrupted. "I just want to be alone with you. Quietly waiting for you to come back."
I could hear the vulnerability beneath his words. This man who commanded boardrooms and controlled billions was asking for something so simple—just to wait for me in our shared space.
"I'm leaving now," I said softly.
"Drive slowly. I'm not in a rush."
The line stayed open as I gathered my things. I could hear him breathing, and somehow that steady sound was more comforting than any words.
"Grace?"
"I'm here."
"Just... drive safely. Please."
I was almost to my building when Charles's call interrupted our connection. I watched Alex's name disappear from my screen with a pang of regret.
"Grace, are you free for dinner tomorrow evening?" Charles's voice was warm but carried an undertone I couldn't quite place. "I think we should talk."
My stomach dropped. No doubt about Elizabeth and Sophia. "Of course, Uncle Charles. Is everything alright?"
"We'll talk tomorrow. Seven o'clock at Meridian?"
"I'll be there."
I was still fumbling with my keys when the apartment door swung open. Alex stood there, his expression serious and tense, and before I could say a word, he pulled me into his arms.
"You're okay," he breathed against my hair. "When the call cut off suddenly, I—"
I pulled back to look at him. His phone was still clutched in his hand, the screen showing my contact information in the dial menu. He'd been about to call me back, probably convinced something terrible had happened.
"Alex, it was just Charles calling. Nothing's wrong."
He studied my face intently, as if checking for signs of distress. "Maybe Lucas should pick you up from now on. That way I can ensure your safety."
There it is. The need to control, to protect, to never let anything slip through his fingers again.
I glanced down and noticed he was wearing shoes, car keys sitting on the entryway table. But he was still in his silk pajamas—the ones he'd been wearing when I left this morning.
"Alex," I said slowly, "were you about to drive out looking for me? In your pajamas?"
His jaw tightened slightly. Caught.
My voice sharpened with genuine anger. "Alex, how can you be so careless with your body? The doctor said you need rest!"
I walked to the living room and sat on the far end of the sofa, turning my back to him. I heard his careful footsteps—still favoring his right leg—as he followed.
"I'm sorry, Grace." His voice was quiet, contrite. "I'll remember. I'll listen to you from now on."
"You promise you'll follow doctor's orders strictly? No more reckless behavior? You'll rest properly?"
"I promise. I'll be more careful with myself."
He coughed softly, and I immediately spun around, ready to call his private physician.
"No, don't—" He caught my hand, and I saw a flash of something almost mischievous in his eyes. He pulled open his pajama top slightly, revealing fresh medical bandages. "The doctor came by this afternoon. The wounds are healing well."
"Did you take your medication on time? Is there anywhere else that hurts?"
He hesitated, then leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper near my ear. "Just... missing you too much."
I laughed despite myself, but then my eyes filled with tears. I wrapped my arms around him carefully, mindful of his injuries.
"I was really scared," I whispered. "I'm terrified of separation, of loss, of never seeing you again." My voice broke slightly. "When you were unconscious in the hospital, I was so afraid... I can't lose you."
His arms tightened around me. "I promise, I'll take better care of myself. For our future."
He tilted my chin up, leaning down to kiss me, but I pressed my palm against his chest.
"Not like this. Wait until you're completely healed."
After my shower, I found Alex propped against the headboard, looking at his phone. I assumed he was handling work.
"You should be sleeping," I said, reaching for the phone to put it away.
The screen showed an entertainment news alert: "Violet Cooper spotted with mysterious male companion at international charity event, intimate interactions throughout, suspected romantic reconciliation."
The accompanying photos showed Alex and Violet at the event. Though Alex's face was partially obscured, anyone familiar with him would recognize those shoulders, that posture.
Just then, I received an urgent message from Julie: "Grace, your core fragrance formula data may have been compromised."