Chapter 16: The lie I couldn't escape

Vivian's POV

Alexander's words lingered in my mind long after he said them.

"You'll definitely return it."

 I nodded

He simply picked up his bottle of juice and took another sip.

Calm.

Composed.

Impossible to read.

Perhaps I was thinking too much.

A faint smile found my lips.

"Thank you."

He looked at me.

"For what?"

"For making me laugh."

The corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

"I'll consider that progress."

Silence settled comfortably between us.

Outside my window, the afternoon sun stretched across the hospital garden.

Alexander broke the silence.

"May I ask you something?"

I nodded.

"What happened that day?"

The question caught me completely off guard.

My fingers tightened around the juice bottle.

"I..."

His voice remained gentle.

"You looked..."

He paused, choosing his words carefully.

"...distracted."

"What were you doing out there under the storm?"

My breathing slowed.

The room suddenly felt smaller.

The rain.

The divorce papers.

David's cold eyes.

His signature.

My own trembling hand.

The memories rushed toward me all at once.

My chest tightened.

I lowered my head.

Unable to meet Alexander's eyes.

The silence between us stretched.

He didn't repeat the question.

He didn't pressure me.

He simply waited.

My hands trembled in my lap.

I couldn't tell him.

Not yet.

How could I?

How could I explain that the man I had loved for years had erased me from his life as though I had never existed?

That I had walked into the rain without caring where I was going.

That a part of me had already died before the accident ever happened.

No.

I wasn't ready.

Not even close.

A quiet sigh reached my ears.

"I'm sorry."

I slowly looked up.

Alexander's expression had softened.

"We will talk about it later."

His words caught me by surprise.

"Ethan told me..."

I hesitated.

"...that you own this hospital."

Alexander nodded once.

"I do."

I blinked.

I still found it difficult to believe.

"This entire hospital?"

"Yes."

Most wealthy men would have listed their achievements with pride.

Alexander spoke as though they meant very little.

I studied him for a moment before asking another question.

"Then..."

"How did you meet David?"

His eyes shifted toward me.

For the first time that afternoon...

"You know Mr. Blackstone?"

I forced myself to smile.

"A little."

He rested both hands on the armrests of his wheelchair.

"Our companies have been discussing a partnership."

"We recently concluded the negotiations."

"So..."

"You've known him for quite some time?"

He asked the question casually.

Almost absentmindedly.

But something about it made my heartbeat quicken.

I looked away.

Not because I wanted to.

Because I was afraid my eyes would betray me.

I couldn't let him know.

"We worked together."

"A long time ago."

"Business only."

My voice sounded steady.

Far steadier than I felt.

Alexander watched me quietly.

"And?"

I swallowed.

"It's been..."

I forced myself to continue.

"...over a year since we've spoken."

The lie tasted bitter.

But I couldn't stop now.

"There wasn't much reason to keep in touch after our work ended."

I tightened my grip around the bottle until my knuckles turned white.

Alexander didn't speak immediately.

His silence made my heartbeat louder than the steady beeping of the monitor beside my bed.

For a moment...

I wondered if he had seen straight through me.

If he had somehow recognized that every word I had just spoken was carefully chosen.

Not because I wanted to deceive him.

But because I couldn't bear for another person to look at me with pity.

Finally, he nodded.

"I see."

That was all.

At the same time...

Guilt settled heavily in my chest.

He had done nothing but help me.

He had saved my life.

Paid for my treatment.

Taken care of my aunt.

Stayed beside me instead of attending important meetings.

And I had just lied to his face.

The thought made me lower my eyes.

"I hope your partnership goes well," I said quietly, hoping to change the subject.

Alexander leaned back slightly in his wheelchair.

"So do I."

"But business has a way of surprising you."

I looked at him.

"What do you mean?"

He smiled faintly.

"Contracts look perfect on paper."

"People don't."

His words lingered in the air.

I wasn't sure whether he was talking about business...

Or something else entirely.

"I've learned that trust isn't written into an agreement," he continued.

"It's revealed over time."

I nodded slowly.

"I suppose that's true."

A strange sadness settled over me.

Once...

I had trusted someone without hesitation.

Without conditions.

Without fear.

And look where it had brought me.

Alexander seemed to notice the distant look in my eyes, but he didn't ask why.

Instead, he reached for the empty juice bottle resting on the bedside table.

"Looks like you finished it."

I glanced down and smiled faintly.

"I didn't even realize."

"I'll tell the dietician to send something you actually enjoy next time."

I laughed softly.

"They've already spoiled me enough."

"I doubt that."

"You've only been awake for a few hours."

His calm reply made me shake my head.

"You really are impossible."

"I've been told that before."

"I believe it."

For the first time since I opened my eyes...

Our conversation felt almost natural.

Almost like speaking with an old friend.

The realization startled me.

How could I feel comfortable around someone I had only just met?

Perhaps...

Kindness had a way of making strangers feel familiar.

The memories of David serving me. reakfats in bed sunnden flashback to my mind.

I suddenly recalled how he kissed my forehead

"Good morning baby"

Those soft greetings woke me up like a baby

Before I could sit up, he pulled my jaw with his hands and kissed my lips.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I smiled staring at a particular position.

Alexander quietly handed me another tissue.

I accepted it with a trembling smile.

"Thank you."

"You've said that a lot today."

"I don't think I'll ever stop."

"You don't have to."

"I know."

"But I want to."

Silence settled between us again.

My thoughts drifted elsewhere.

To the city outside.

To the apartment that no longer felt like home.

To the memories of my past

A strange feeling crept into my chest.

Not fear.

Not sadness.

Something else.

The overwhelming urge...

To leave.

To disappear.

To go somewhere no one knew my name.

Somewhere David Blackstone had never existed.

Somewhere I wouldn't have to remember the woman I used to be.

I stared out the window, my heart growing heavier with every passing second.

Maybe...

I should escape.