Chapter 7
Scarlett looked so peaceful while she slept.
Alexander gently placed her on the bed and touched her face. It was burning hot.
Even in her unconscious state, Scarlett instinctively sought out comfort.
Like the warmth of Alexander's hand.
She furrowed her brows and nuzzled against his palm, letting out a soft, contented moan.
Her lips brushed against his hand, causing his eyes to darken.
Suppressing the turmoil within him, Alexander reluctantly pulled his hand away despite Scarlett's protests.
She had a fever. He should call a doctor.
Alexander reminded himself, though he was reluctant to break the serene moment they shared, just the two of them.
But his concern eventually won out. He stood up and leaned down to kiss Scarlett's forehead.
She seemed to sense it, her lips parting slightly as she murmured a name.
Though it was barely audible, Alexander heard it.
She was calling for "Alexander."
Was she dreaming about him?
His pupils dilated briefly before he regained his composure, a self-mocking smile tugging at his lips.
He wondered if he was her dream or her nightmare.
Tyler was with the child when Alexander walked in. Tyler looked a bit apprehensive as Alexander spoke, "Her fever's pretty high."
Tyler responded, "Oh? Okay, I'll go check on her. Can you stay with Tracy?"
Both sets of eyes turned to him.
Tracy looked scared, and Alexander was clearly annoyed.
But Tyler ignored them both.
Before leaving, he cheekily added, "Mr. King, try to be nice. Don't scare Tracy."
Honestly, Alexander had no interest in babysitting his ex-girlfriend's child, but Tracy was barely three years old. Leaving her alone in a room was too dangerous.
If anything happened, Scarlett wouldn't just lose sleep; she'd probably hate him.
Understanding the stakes, Alexander resigned himself and sat in Tyler's spot.
Tracy stared at him.
Despite her young age, she had her own sense of aesthetics. The tall man before her was very handsome, and she liked that.
But his expression was too stern.
Tracy crawled over, her blue eyes twinkling as she tried to be charming. "Sir, you're really good-looking."
Alexander looked at her. Tracy smiled sweetly, her eyes like little oceans.
The words sounded familiar; her mother had said the same thing.
Like mother, like daughter, both were little flirts.
Alexander felt a pang of frustration.
Seeing he didn't respond, Tracy tried again. "Sir, do you like my mommy?"
That question sounded so odd!
Alexander's face remained cold. "No."
Tracy drew out an "Oh" and then added seriously, "Then you shouldn't hug my mommy if you don't like her."
Alexander suddenly remembered the kiss from earlier and coughed to suppress the strange feeling.
He decided not to engage with Tracy any further and called Mike to come to the hospital to watch the child.
Mike, ever the dutiful employee, responded, "Yes, Mr. King. I'll be right there."
Curiosity burned in his chest!
As dusk settled, Scarlett finally woke up.
The room was dark, but she could vaguely see a figure beside her.
Instinctively, she tried to sit up. "Tracy?"
No response.
She couldn't get up.
Her limbs felt weak and unresponsive, as if they were no longer under her control.
Scarlett sighed softly in the darkness. The figure moved slightly, and a warm hand reached out to touch her forehead.
Her heart raced.
The last bit of sunlight disappeared, and the room was plunged into darkness.
Scarlett closed her eyes. "Alexander."
He responded with a quiet "Hmm."
Since their reunion at the Black family, they had been at each other's throats.
One hated, the other avoided. This moment of peace felt rare and precious.
Scarlett's mind drifted back to the past, to when they had just started dating.
Alexander was handsome, and his fraternity often called on him for events.
One time, right after finals, they finally had some time together, but the fraternity insisted on dragging Alexander away.
Scarlett didn't want him to go, clinging to his sleeve and coming up with excuses.
Even after he left, she wasn't ready to give up, angrily sending him a top-priority message on WhatsApp.
[Alexander, I'm sick.]
Then she tossed her phone aside and burrowed under the covers to sleep.
She hadn't expected Alexander to come back. In her drowsy state, she felt his hand on her forehead.
Scarlett mumbled, "I really am sick."
Alexander stifled a laugh, feeling her perfectly normal temperature. "Yes, a slight fever."
That day, Alexander didn't leave again.
Scarlett heard him on the phone with the fraternity president, his voice full of affection and indulgence. "I need to take care of her."
Scarlett quickly closed her eyes, pushing back the tears.
In the years since their breakup, she had avoided reminiscing.
In the beginning, she was overwhelmed by everything, barely able to breathe.
But whenever she closed her eyes, she saw Alexander's bloodshot eyes from their last encounter.
She often thought that meeting her had been a stroke of bad luck for Alexander.
Scarlett exhaled softly. "Why didn't you turn on the light?"
She turned her head slightly, and Alexander pulled his hand back as if shocked.
The room suddenly lit up.
Scarlett forced herself to sit up. She was worried and wanted to check on Tracy in the next room.
Alexander watched her coldly.
She had just broken her fever and clearly hadn't rested well. Every part of her body screamed with fatigue and soreness.
But even so, she insisted on checking on the little girl.
As soon as she stood up, she wobbled. Alexander instinctively stepped forward and grabbed her arm.
Preventing her from falling.
Alexander felt a surge of irritation. "You're still sick."
Scarlett shook her head. "I'm fine. Thank you."
Always thanking him!
Alexander was exasperated but didn't let go.
Keeping a distance, he supported her as they went to see Tracy.
Mike was playing with Tracy.
He was experienced with children and had brought toys, keeping Tracy happily occupied.
Tracy saw Scarlett first and was thrilled, dropping her toys to run over. "Mommy!"
Scarlett quickly stopped her. "Don't come over. I'm not better yet."
Tracy halted, pouting.
Mike was a bit surprised.
The last time he had come by, Tracy was asleep. Though he had speculated about the relationship, he had dismissed the idea.
After all, it was the first time he had seen Alexander so attentive to a woman.
Hearing Tracy call her "Mommy" surprised him.
He turned to look and was shocked by the scene.
His boss, Alexander, was standing there with a sour expression, supporting the woman Tracy called "Mommy."
Despite his apparent annoyance, he was clearly concerned.
When had Alexander ever done something like this?
He cared more than he let on!