Chapter 16: The Man Behind the kindness

Vivian's POV

The first thing I noticed was him sitting on the wheelchair.

He wore a perfectly tailored charcoal suit.

Not a wrinkle disturbed the crisp fabric.

His silver watch caught the afternoon sunlight filtering through the curtains.

Everything about him spoke of quiet wealth.

Quiet power.

Yet none of those things drew my attention as much as the wheelchair did.

He rested one hand lightly on its wheel before slowly pushing himself closer to my bed.

The movement was smooth.

Not once did he appear embarrassed by it.

For reasons I couldn't explain...

My heart tightened.

I instinctively tried to sit up.

"I..."

The effort sent a sharp pain through my ribs.

A gasp escaped my lips.

My arms trembled violently as I pushed against the mattress.

I couldn't greet the man who had saved my life while lying helplessly in bed.

"Don't."

His tone wasn't commanding.

It was gentle.

He wheeled himself beside my bed until we were almost face-to-face.

"You've only just regained consciousness."

"Rest."

I lowered my eyes.

"I'm sorry."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I don't know."

"I just..."

"I don't like feeling helpless."

Without another word, he adjusted the pillow behind my back.

The simple gesture caught me by surprise.

It wasn't something I expected from a man everyone seemed to respect.

He noticed the confusion on my face.

"This should make you more comfortable."

It did.

I let out a quiet breath.

"Thank you."

He simply nodded.

The silence between us wasn't awkward.

It felt peaceful.

I studied him for a moment before finally asking the question that had been burning inside me.

"Who are you?"

His fingers rested on the wheel of his chair.

For a few seconds, he said nothing.

Then he gave a small shrug.

"Does it matter?"

I blinked.

"It matters to me."

Another faint smile appeared.

"My name is Alexander."

Just Alexander.

No mention of titles.

No mention of wealth.

No mention that he owned the hospital.

He spoke his name as though it carried no importance at all.

I repeated it softly.

"Alexander..."

"It suits you."

A quiet chuckle escaped him.

"I've never had anyone say that before."

Heat crept into my cheeks.

"I didn't mean..."

"I know."

His expression softened.

"You don't have to explain."

"I heard the doctors talking while I was unconscious."

His eyes lifted to mine.

"I heard your voice too."

He remained silent.

"You paid for my treatment."

"And my aunt's."

"I don't even know how to thank you."

His answer came without hesitation.

"You don't have to."

"But I do."

Tears gathered in my eyes.

"I've spent my whole life trying not to owe anyone."

"And now..."

"You've done more for me than people I've known for years."

One tear escaped before I could stop it.

"I'm sorry."

He reached toward the bedside table, picked up a box of tissues, and quietly placed it within my reach.

He gave to me.

"Thank you."

He inclined his head.

"You're welcome."

A heavy silence settled over the room.

Then another thought crashed into me.

"My aunt."

Fresh panic flooded my chest.

"Please..."

I looked at him desperately.

"I need to see her."

"I need to know she's really alright."

"If I don't see her..."

My voice broke.

"I won't be able to rest."

Alexander didn't interrupt.

He waited until I finished speaking.

Only then did he answer.

"You will see her."

I searched his face.

"Today?"

"I'll arrange a video call with the physician overseeing her recovery."

"You'll be able to speak with her as soon as he's finished with his rounds."

My eyes widened.

"You'd do that?"

"If that's what you need."

The tightness in my chest eased for the first time since I had awakened.

"Thank you..."

The words felt far too small for what I wanted to say.

Alexander pressed the call button beside my bed.

A man in a dark suit stepped inside and approached Alexander respectfully.

"Mr. Kane," he said quietly, "your board meeting begins in forty minutes..."

Alexander didn't even look at the man immediately.

His attention remained on me.

Only after making sure I was no longer struggling to sit upright did he slowly turn his wheelchair toward his assistant.

"What is it, Daniel?"

Daniel lowered the tablet in his hands.

"The investors from Singapore have arrived."

"They're waiting in the executive conference room."

"The board members are asking if you'd like to begin the meeting as scheduled."

For some reason...

My heart skipped.

I remembered what Ethan had said.

He owns this hospital.

If he owned a hospital...

He must be an incredibly busy man.

Yet he was here.

In my room.

Watching over someone he barely knew.

I quickly lowered my gaze.

"I-I'm sorry."

Both men looked at me.

"You shouldn't have come."

"I've already taken too much of your time."

Alexander's expression remained calm.

"You haven't."

"But your meeting..."

"It can wait."

Daniel cleared his throat carefully.

"Sir..."

"The investors flew in overnight."

"They've rearranged their schedules to meet with you."

"I know."

Alexander spoke again.

"You'll attend the meeting on my behalf my place."

Daniel blinked.

"Sir?"

"You've handled enough negotiations with me to know what I expect."

"But there are decisions only you can"

"If a decision requires my approval, call me."

Daniel hesitated.

"What about the investors?"

"Tell them an emergency delayed me."

"They'll understand."

Was he really postponing meetings worth millions...

Because of me?

Daniel looked as though he wanted to argue.

Instead, he gave a respectful nod.

"Yes, sir."

"Oh..."

Alexander added before Daniel reached the door.

"Don't let the board pressure you."

Daniel smiled slightly.

"I won't."

With another nod, Daniel quietly left the room.

He door shut behind him.

Silence returned.

I looked at Alexander.

"You really didn't have to do that."

He looked genuinely puzzled.

"Do what?"

"Stay."

"You have important work."

"I'll be fine."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"That's what people usually say when they aren't."

My lips parted.

No words came.

He had seen right through me.

I looked away, embarrassed.

"I don't like causing trouble."

"I've noticed."

His answer made me glance back at him.

"There isn't a single nurse on this floor who hasn't mentioned that you've apologized to them."

Heat rushed into my cheeks.

"I didn't realize..."

"You apologized when they adjusted your IV."

"You apologized when they helped you drink water."

"You even apologized for falling asleep."

I covered my face with one hand.

"Oh no..."

Alexander chuckled

It was soft.

Warm.

Unexpected.

"You heard that?

"I think you've spent too much of your life believing you're a burden."

The smile disappeared from my face.

His words settled somewhere deep inside me.

Painfully deep.

Because...

He wasn't wrong.

Ever since I was young, I'd learned not to ask for too much.

Not to inconvenience anyone.

Not to make people worry.

Even after marrying David...

I had tried to solve every problem alone.

I blinked quickly, pushing the memories away.

Alexander seemed to notice the change in my expression.

But he didn't ask questions.

"Thank you, Alexander for everything, I'll definitely return your kind gestures.

I promise.

Yeah... you'll return it soon