his touch

5

Alexander looked at her, his expression unreadable, while Anna kept her eyes fixed on the door.

He had said Henry would be there shortly.

But it was already past midnight, and Henry still had not come.

“Did you really call him, Alexander?” she asked quietly.

Alexander turned to her. He was there beside her, yet her thoughts remained fixed on that scoundrel. If Henry had not been her boyfriend—if she had not loved him—Alexander would have ruined the Moore family long ago. He would have made Henry Moore suffer, regardless of whatever history existed between their families.

“Yes, I called him,” Alexander said. “I don’t know why your boyfriend still isn’t here.”

Anna’s eyes dimmed at his words, and something in his chest tightened. He hated seeing her like this—hurt, disappointed, still defending a man who clearly did not deserve it.

“Maybe he has an important meeting,” she said, though her voice lacked conviction.

“Anna, there is no meeting more important than your health,” Alexander said sharply. “Why do you stay with a man who doesn’t give a damn about you?”

Anna looked at him, then lowered her gaze.

Henry did not treat her badly, she told herself. He was simply busy. He always had too much work, too many responsibilities.

That had to be the reason.

Without answering, she rested her head against the pillow and closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep.

Alexander watched her in silence.

Was she truly blinded by love, or was she simply making a fool of herself for Henry?

He looked at her sleeping face and felt anger simmer beneath his calm. She was lucky one of his men had found her in time. If no one had seen her, she might have died.

The thought alone made his jaw tighten.

When Anna woke again, Alexander was still there.

Morning light spilled into the room, and the clock read ten, but Henry had still not shown up.

By the time she was discharged from the hospital, sadness had settled heavily inside her. She had nearly died from an allergic reaction, and Henry had not even bothered to visit, despite being told what had happened.

When she entered the house, Henry was seated on the couch, casually watching a film.

The moment he saw her, he smiled.

“Sorry, Anna,” he said lightly. “Alexander told me you almost died. Good thing you’re okay now.”

Anna stared at him.

That was all?

“Good news,” Henry continued. “The South project you worked on is already making a strong profit, and in two days we’re throwing a party.”

Alexander, who had entered behind her, gave a faint, cold smirk.

She had only just come back from the hospital, and this was what mattered to him?

Not her condition. Not the fear. Not the fact that he had left her alone.

Profit.

Celebration.

Business.

“She’s just come out of the hospital,” Alexander said, his tone flat. “As her boyfriend, is that really all you have to say?”

Henry turned to him with an easy smile and extended his hand.

“Thanks, buddy, for looking after her at the hospital,” he said. “I couldn’t make it because of an important meeting.”

Alexander shook his hand, though there was no warmth in his expression.

“You don’t need to worry, Anna,” Henry went on. “I’ve already arranged for you to rest. You don’t have to come into the office this week.”

Then he sat back down on the couch as though everything had been settled.

Anna only nodded and quietly made her way upstairs.

Alexander followed her, carrying the bag of medication.

Inside her room, he placed it carefully on the bedside table.

“Here are your things,” he said gently. “Make sure you get some proper rest.”

He looked at her for a moment, his expression softening.

“If you need anything, let me know.”

Then he turned and walked out, heading back to the sitting room where Henry remained.

“How is she?” Henry asked.

“She’ll be fine,” Alexander replied.

Henry leaned back and lowered his voice.

“Sofia came back to the country yesterday,” he said with a faint smile.

Alexander looked at him, disbelief flashing in his eyes.

“So yesterday, while Anna was alone in the hospital, you were with Sofia?”

There was a long pause.

Sofia.

The same Sofia who had abandoned him when his company was on the verge of collapse.

And now that she had returned, he had chosen to run to her instead of staying with the woman who had nearly died.

“You know it’s been a long time since I last saw her,” Henry said. “She’s still the same as ever. Sweet. Kind.”

Alexander stared at him as if he were looking at the most ridiculous man on earth.

Upstairs, Anna had heard everything.

So that was where he had been.

Not in a meeting.

Not trapped by work.

With Sofia.

Even while she had been lying in a hospital bed.

How could he be so heartless?

“And since you were the one who found her,” Henry continued, “I knew I could trust you to take care of her.”

Anna’s faint smile died completely.

He would rather leave her in another man’s care than come to her himself.

He could not spare even a moment to see her.

Slowly, she made her way down the stairs.

Alexander looked up the moment he saw her. A slight smile touched his lips, but his eyes remained intent. He was certain now that before the month was over, Anna would be his.

Henry did not deserve her. His actions had made that plain.

And Alexander intended to make sure Anna saw it too.

“The doctor said you need plenty of rest,” Alexander said as she approached. “You’re still weak.”

“You don’t have to worry. I’m fine,” Anna replied, forcing a smile as she walked toward the kitchen.

“Anna, you haven’t fully recovered yet. If you need anything, just let me know,” Henry said.

Before she could answer, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

It was Sofia.

He looked briefly at Alexander. “Excuse me, I need to take this,” he said, walking out of the room.

A short while later, he returned in a rush, already reaching for his car keys.

“Sofia twisted her ankle,” he said, worry written all over his face. “She’s in a lot of pain.”

Anna stood still, the glass trembling slightly in her hand.

She had nearly died from an allergic reaction, and he had barely blinked.

But Sofia had only twisted her ankle, and Henry looked as though the world had stopped turning.

A dull ache spread through Anna’s chest.

Did he really hold her in his heart?

Or had she only ever been a convenience to him?

She lowered her eyes to the glass in her hand, afraid of what the answer might be.