Chapter 41

Lauren

I stood at the edge of the bed, my arms wrapped around myself like I could hold all the broken pieces of my heart together.

The monitor’s steady beeping felt like a countdown, each sound slicing through me. My eyes stayed locked on the faint rise and fall of his chest, desperate for any sign of strength, of the Alexander I knew.

If you’d told me I’d end up here, watching over him, feeling like my world was unraveling with every shallow breath he took, I wouldn’t have believed you. I would’ve laughed, maybe even rolled my eyes. But now? Now I couldn’t move. Couldn’t look away. Couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

His face was pale, his skin too thin, too fragile, like he might shatter if I touched him. This wasn’t the Alexander I knew—the guy who could make anyone stop and listen with just one look. The guy who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders and still stood tall.

Seeing him like this, so small and fragile, felt wrong. Like the universe had played some cruel trick, and I was left standing in the wreckage, trying to make sense of it.

I swallowed hard, blinking back the tears threatening to spill over. I wanted to grab his hand, shake him awake, and yell at him for scaring me like this, yet thank him for saving my Abigail.

But instead, I just stood there, holding my breath and praying that he’d open his eyes.

“Lauren,” Liam’s voice broke through my haze. I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

His blonde locks were slicked back haphazardly, and his long coat hung on his broad frame, as if the cold wind outside had somehow found its way into the room and made it even worse than out there.

He had that calm, collected air about him that he always wore like armor, but I knew him well enough to catch the flicker of concern in his eyes. “You can’t stay here forever.”

I bristled at his words. “I’m not leaving him,” I said, my voice firm despite the lump in my throat. ‘He needs me.’ I wanted to say, but I held my tongue.

Liam stepped into the room, his boots barely making a sound against the tile floor. He glanced at Alexander, then back at me. “Lauren, he’s in a coma. There’s nothing you can do for him right now. You’ve been here for hours. Days, even. You need to take care of yourself. You’re daughter.”

I didn’t move as he stopped at my side, my eyes siding his way. “I don’t need you to tell me that. He saved her. I owe him.”

“No,” Liam bit, his eyes scanning dulling over Alexander. “You don’t. You know who should be by his side though? His partner. His son. What are you still doing here?”

I knew he was right, but the thought of leaving Alexander’s side felt unbearable. The pack was in chaos without him, and I felt like everything was my fault.

If I left, it would feel like giving up on him, on his bravery for my family. And I couldn’t do that.

My hand pressed to my head, unable to keep up with my own swirling emotions.

Liam sighed and faced me, his baby blue eyes locking onto mine. “Lauren, listen to me. This might be the chance you’ve been waiting for.”

I frowned. “What are you talking about?”

He hesitated, like he was trying to find the right words. “You’ve been stuck here for so long, tied to this pack, to Alexander… but you don’t have to be. You could finally leave with no resistance. Start fresh somewhere else. You’ve talked about wanting a new beginning. This is your opportunity.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. “Leave?” I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper. I can’t leave. Could I? What about Abigail? What about the pack?

“The pack will survive,” Liam said, his tone gentle but insistent like he could hear my thoughts. “And Abigail… she’s strong, just like you. She’ll understand if you need to do this for yourself. You’ve given so much to everyone else, Lauren. Maybe it’s time to think about what you need.”

I shook my head, trying to process what he was saying. The idea wasn’t bad, infact it would be perfect, but… the foundation, the pack, Abigail and Owen…

I glanced back at Alexander, lying so still on the bed. My heart twisted painfully in my chest. Despite everything, despite the hurt and the complications, I still cared about him. The thought of walking away, of not being here when he woke up… if he woke up… it felt like a betrayal.

Liam’s expression softened, and he reached out to take my hand. “Lauren, you’re not responsible for him. Or the pack. You’ve done more than enough. No one would blame you for wanting a life of your own.”

Tears pricked at my eyes, and I looked away, staring at the floor. “It’s not that simple,” I said. “You don’t understand.”

“Then help me understand,” he said, his voice low and steady. “Tell me what’s keeping you here. Stopping you from leaving with Abigail today, with… me.”

I swallowed hard, trying to find the words as I pulled my hand away. “I don’t know. It’s complicated.”

Liam gave me a small, understanding smile. “So I’ve heard, over and over. Complicated doesn’t even begin to cover it, huh?”

I let out a shaky laugh, wiping at my eyes. “Yeah, something like that.”

He squeezed my hand again. “Look, I’m not saying you have to decide right now. But just think about it, okay? You deserve to be happy, Lauren. Don’t forget that.”

“So I heard,” I nodded, though I wasn’t sure if I could promise him that. The truth was, I didn’t even know what happiness looked like anymore. Everything felt tangled and messy, like I was trapped in a web I couldn’t untangle, no matter how hard I tried.

Liam stood and gave my shoulder a gentle pat, his touch lingering just long enough to feel both comforting and bittersweet. “I’ll be around if you need me,” he said softly before walking out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I turned back to Alexander, my chest aching as I looked at him. His face was still too pale, his hand cool and lifeless when I reached out to hold it. My thumb traced the back of his hand, my fingers trembling as I fought to hold myself together.

“What am I supposed to do, Alex?” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Why can’t I… understand you…”

The monitor beeped steadily in response, the sound somehow both comforting and unbearable in the silence. My throat tightened, and I closed my eyes, letting the tears spill over unchecked. For once, I let myself feel everything—the fear, the guilt, the love I couldn’t seem to let go of no matter how much it hurt.

The sound of soft footsteps broke through my tears, and I wiped at my face quickly, turning to see Daphne standing in the doorway. Abigail clung to her hand, her little face scrunched with worry.

“Mom?” Abigail’s voice was small, hesitant, and it broke me all over again.

I opened my arms, and she ran to me, burying her face in my chest. I held her tightly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as her small body shook. “It’s okay, baby,” I murmured, though I wasn’t sure if I believed it myself.

Daphne stepped closer, her eyes flicking to Alexander before landing on me. She looked tired, worn down, but there was an understanding in her gaze that made me feel less alone.

“I thought you could use some company,” she said gently, her voice steady but kind.

I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. Abigail pulled back just enough to look up at me, her big, questioning eyes tearing at my heart.

“Is he going to be okay?” she asked softly, her gaze shifting to Alexander.

I swallowed hard, forcing a shaky smile. “He’s strong,” I said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “We just have to give him time.”

Abigail nodded, her small hand slipping into mine. “He… saved me.”

I nodded, our gazes locked on Alexander as he lay motionless on the bed. Abigail’s grip tightened, like she was trying to anchor herself, and I realized she was searching for answers I didn’t have. The truth was, I couldn’t make any more sense of it than she could.

“We’ll make sure he knows,” I whispered, more to myself than to her. “When he wakes up… we’ll thank him.”

Abigail leaned into me, and I wrapped an arm around her, holding her close.