Chapter 20
1166 Words
The hospital room was silent, except for the quiet hum of the fan.
Alex had turned off the AC after noticing goosebumps on Sophia's tiny arm.
The smell of antiseptic and medicine filled the air, irritating his nose.
Alex never liked hospitals, yet this was his second visit in a row.
He sighed, adjusting the covers over Sophia's body.
After a while, Sophia's eyes fluttered open.
"Mama… mama…" she began to cry softly.
Alex froze. His hands trembled. What was he supposed to do?
He had only ever signed billion-dollar contracts, not comfort crying children.
For a brief moment, he regretted sending Isabella away.
Sophia's cries grew louder, echoing painfully in his chest.
Outside, Lucas was already awake. His eyes were swollen from tears, he looked both pitiful and adorable. Anyone passing by would have wanted to scoop him up immediately.
He stared at Nate, unsure who this man was or how to address him.
Can this man help mummy from Daddy's house? Lucas wondered, his small head bobbing thoughtfully.
"Lucas," Nate called.
Lucas looked up, smiling shyly. In his innocent mind, he was already planning to marry this man to his mummy.
"Do you want to check on Sophia?" Nate asked.
"Yes! Yes! Can we go in now?" Lucas replied, his nervousness fading instantly.
Inside the room, Alex held Sophia in his arms, sitting her gently across his lap.
"Mama loves you," he whispered awkwardly. "Don't cry, baby. Everything will be fine."
He tried wrapping her blanket around her, but somehow ended up tying her like a mommy instead.
Sophia blinked at him, wide-eyed, her small hands trapped inside the tangled fabric.
She looked up at him, so focused, so serious. This man is handsome, she thought innocently.
If he and Mama were together, it would be perfect.
When Alex finished, he sighed, realizing he wasn't made for this.
"How are you, Soph?" he asked softly.
Sophia smiled, showing her tiny perfect teeth.
"Papa," she whispered tearfully.
Alex froze, then smiled faintly, shaken to his core.
It was the first time she'd called him that from her heart.
A stray tear escaped, and he quickly wiped it away. He couldn't appear weak in front of his daughter.
Just then, the door burst open. Lucas ran inside.
"Soph! How are you?" he asked, racing toward her.
But when he saw her arms hidden under the blanket, his face twisted in horror.
"What did you do to her arms?!" he cried, pointing accusingly at Alex.
Sophia giggled. "Daddy tied my hands inside the wrapper," she said between laughs.
Lucas frowned. "You can't even do simple things! You're useless here," he muttered, trying to unwrap his sister.
Nate, who had followed behind, burst into quiet laughter.
"Let me handle it," he offered.
"No."
"Okay."
Both Alex and Lucas said it at the same time.
Nate chuckled again, shaking his head. But when he reached out to help, Alex shot him a sharp glare.
"I'll do it myself," Alex said firmly.
He began unwrapping Sophia carefully, while she continued giggling in his arms.
Alex laid Sophia gently on the bed after unwrapping the sheet around her.
"Did Mama come?" Sophia asked softly, her little fingers tangled with Lucas's.
"Mhm, yes," Lucas replied with confidence. "I saw her."
Nate's brows shot up in surprise, while Alex froze midway, holding a cup of water.
"What did you say?" Alex asked, voice low.
"I saw her, Dad. I even smelled her perfume," Lucas said, frowning. "She was right there."
Alex's jaw tightened. "She wasn't here," he said flatly.
"But Dad...."
"No but," Alex cut him off sharply. "Don't bring that up again."
Lucas huffed, glaring at him. "Coward," he muttered, then stormed out, slamming the door so hard it echoed through the ward.
Alex's hand trembled slightly as he poured the water. Am I really a coward? he thought, then brushed it off with a scoff. Childish.
Lucas had overheard Helena calling someone a coward earlier that day, and though he didn't fully understand it, he knew it wasn't a compliment, and right now, it fit his father perfectly.
Nate sighed, disappointment evident on his face. "Is this how you plan to raise them?"
Alex shot him a cold glance. "I don't need parenting advice from a virgin."
"Wow," Nate said under his breath, silenced but not amused.
Moments later, Lucas returned, ignoring both men entirely. He climbed onto the bed and laid beside Sophia. Within minutes, the twins drifted off to sleep again, their faces peaceful, a stark contrast to the tension that filled the room.
"They need food," Alex muttered. "Get them something light."
Nate nodded but followed Alex out of the ward. "Alex," he called.
Alex didn't stop walking.
"Is this really how you want them to grow up? Without their mother's love?"
That stopped him. Slowly, Alex turned, his expression unreadable.
"Do you want to take that position?" he asked coldly. "Because it seems the role of assistant feels too small for you."
Nate clenched his fists. "I've known you for years, Alex. I used to think you were wise, calculated. But I see now, it was all pride dressed up as strength."
"The children are crying for their mother," Nate continued. "And you're too blinded by ego to see it."
Alex said nothing. He simply nodded once and walked away.
"Then I'll take the role of the father you can't be!" Nate shouted after him.
Alex paused briefly, guilt flickering in his eyes, then continued down the hall. For now, he thought, Nate can play father if he must. Until I find who's behind this, they're safer away from me.
Meanwhile, Nate walked toward the doctor's office to finalize their discharge.
The nurse who had earlier met Alex shook her head as she saw the paperwork. "I thought that man was the father," she mumbled. "All that shouting, and now he's nowhere to be found."
She sighed. "Men."
Nate sat quietly in the doctor's office.
"The case is more serious than it looks," the doctor began, drawing Nate's full attention to the matter at hand.
"What do you mean?" Nate asked, leaning forward.
"Has the child been suffering from any illness you're aware of?"
"Illness?" Nate repeated, confused. "No, I haven't heard of any. Alex never mentioned anything."
"Does this girl live with you?" the doctor continued.
"No," Nate replied, "I'm just her guardian for now. Her mom only came back recently."
"Then you'll need to call the mother in," the doctor said firmly. "She can give us better insight."
Nate sighed heavily. "Alex, I'll just have to do this for the children," he murmured, dialing Isabella's number.
The call was declined, over and over.
Nate's jaw tightened. That stubborn man must be up to something again.
"Doctor," Nate said finally, "please, just tell me what's going on. The parents are too busy, and I'm the only one available right now."
The doctor hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. The little girl has iron deficiency anemia."
- Writer
