BOUND BY ONE NIGHT

Chapter26

Lavender’s POV

Hospitals have a way of making you feel invisible, you lie in a bed, wrapped in thin sheets that never quite warm you, and people walk past as if you’re already a ghost. Nurses smile kindly, doctors speak carefully, and everyone assumes you belong to the quiet background of other people’s emergencies.

That morning, I welcomed the invisibility. The light filtering through the window was pale and indecisive, like it didn’t know whether it was allowed to stay. I lay still, one hand resting over my stomach, my other curled around the edge of the mattress, grounding myself.

Pregnant, the word no longer felt like a shock. It felt like a weight, heavy, real, pressing down on every thought. My aunt had stepped out to speak to the social worker, promising she’d be back soon. “Don’t move,” she’d said gently. “Just rest.” Resting meant thinking.

Thinking meant remembering. So, I focused on my breathing instead.

In… out. The curtain beside my bed rustled. I stiffened.

“Good morning,” a woman’s voice said calmly, not a nurse. I turned my head slowly. She stood there like she belonged, perfect posture, tailored cream coat, hair sleek and expensive, eyes sharp with practiced superiority. Everything about her screamed control.

Cassandra Morgan.

My heart dropped so violently I felt dizzy. She looked at me for a moment, clearly surprised. Then something calculating slid into her gaze.

“Well,” she said lightly, lips curving. “This is unexpected.” I pushed myself upright, pulse roaring in my ears. “You shouldn’t be here.” She laughed softly. “Neither should you.” Her eyes flicked pointedly to my wristband, then briefly, deliberately to my stomach. Ice slid down my spine.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. She stepped closer, heels clicking softly against the tile. “Visiting Margaret,” she said. “Family obligation.”

I swallowed. “Then go see her.”

“Oh, I will.” Her smile sharpened. “But first… we need to be clear about something.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping.

“You disappeared very conveniently,” she said. “And now you’re here. In the same hospital. That feels… messy.” My hands trembled slightly, but I forced myself to keep my voice steady. “I have nothing to do with Alex.”

Her eyes flashed. “Don’t insult me.” Silence stretched thick between us.

Then she tilted her head. “Whatever fantasy you thought you had with him, it’s over.”

“I know,” I said quietly.

“Good.” Her smile returned, colder this time. “Because if you don’t disappear again, I’ll make sure you regret staying.” My breath caught.

“I won’t warn you twice.”Before I could respond, she straightened, smoothing her coat like not hing had happened.

“And don’t worry,” she added casually. “I won’t mention this little encounter to Alex. No need to confuse him with ghosts from his past.” She turned and walked away, leaving my heart pounding painfully in my chest. I collapsed back against the pillow, shaking.

Alex’s POV

My grandmother looked stronger that afternoon, sitting up, alert, her eyes sharp as ever. Cassandra arrived shortly after lunch.

“Margaret,” she said warmly, bending to kiss her cheek. “You gave everyone quite a scare.”

Margaret smiled politely but studied her carefully. “I don’t scare easily. I simply remind people that life doesn’t wait for convenience.”

Cassandra laughed lightly. “Still sharp as ever.” I stood by the window, arms crossed, watching the city below. Cassandra’s presence always made the room feel smaller. She reached for my hand. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said. “We should look like a united front.”

Margaret’s gaze flicked between us.

“Tell me something, Alexander,” she said suddenly. I turned. “Yes?”

“Who is the woman in your heart?” The room went still. Cassandra’s grip tightened on my fingers.

“I’m engaged,” I said carefully. Margaret nodded. “That is not what I asked.” I hesitated. Cassandra’s eyes burned into my profile.

“There was someone,” I admitted. Cassandra stiffened. Margaret leaned back, satisfied. “And does she matter?”

“Yes,” I said quietly.

Silence, Margaret exhaled slowly. “Then everything else is noise.” Cassandra laughed sharply. “Margaret, you’re tired. Let’s not confuse things.” Margaret turned her gaze to her. “I’m not confused at all.”

I pulled my hand from Cassandra’s grip, jaw tight.

Cassandra stood abruptly. “I’ll leave you both to rest.”

She kissed Margaret’s cheek again and walked out without looking at me.

Lavender’s POV

I heard her heels before I saw her again, She paused outside my curtain, then continued past it, toward Margaret’s room.

My chest tightened. I turned my face to the window, fighting tears. I didn’t belong here, not in this world, not near him. My aunt returned moments later, taking one look at my face and sitting down beside me.

“She came,” I whispered. Her jaw tightened. “Did she threaten you?”

I nodded. “We’ll be careful,” my aunt said softly. “But you’re not alone.” I pressed my hand to my stomach again, breathing through the fear. Somewhere just beyond the wall, Alex was talking, living, unaware. And Cassandra was smiling.

Alex’s POV

Later that evening, I stood alone in the hallway, phone pressed to my ear.

“We need to set a date,” my mother said sharply. “The rumours are starting.”

“I’ll handle it,” I replied. But even as I said the words, unease curled deep in my gut. everything just felt so wrong, it's a battle between my desire and family

Like something important was being hidden from me, like someone I loved was closer than I knew, and being pushed further away.