Chapter 245

Ella POV

It took several days before Alexander could stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time.

Those days felt like an eternity to me, sitting at his bedside, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest, hoping for any sign of improvement. The doctors assured me that the worst had passed, but still, every moment he remained unconscious gnawed at me.

I hadn’t left his side for longer than I had to. Even now, as the sunrise warmed the chilly room, I felt like time was standing still.

Then, the sound of hurried footsteps down the hall made me turn just in time to see Lexie rush into the room, her arms straining to carry a massive bouquet of flowers almost as big as she was.

“Alex!” she cried, beaming with excitement. She practically threw the bouquet onto the bed, barely missing Alexander’s chest. “I brought you these so you’d have something pretty to look at while you get better.”

Ella watched as Alexander’s lips curled into a weak smile. He shifted slightly, still visibly exhausted but alert enough to lift his hand and gently brush his fingers over Lexie’s head. Relief flooded his expression, as if seeing her safe erased some of the weight pressing on him.

“Thank you, Lexie,” he murmured, his voice rough from disuse. “They’re beautiful.”

Lexie nodded eagerly, climbing up onto the bed with the fearless enthusiasm of a child. “Are you feeling better now? You have to get better fast because we still need to play together!”

Alexander chuckled, though the effort seemed to drain him. “I’m working on it, little one.” He gave her a tired but affectionate smile. “What about you? Are you doing okay after everything that happened?”

Lexie nodded eagerly. “I’m really good now!” She leaned in, her voice dropping to an exaggerated whisper, as if sharing the world’s biggest secret. “Because now I know that my Alex is a superhero.”

Alexander’s eyes widened slightly, and I felt something inside my chest tighten. For all the pain, all the battles he had fought, this tiny girl still looked at him like he was invincible.

She didn’t see a man who had almost lost everything—she saw a protector, a hero. Alexander swallowed hard, blinking rapidly as he reached out and pulled Lexie into a careful hug.

“I’m glad you think so,” he said softly. “But superheroes still need to rest sometimes.”

Lexie giggled, pulling back just enough to meet his gaze. “Okay. But only a little.”

I exhaled, feeling some of my own tension ease. But I knew they couldn’t stay in this little bubble of warmth forever. I glanced toward the door where Sabrina stood, watching quietly.

There was something unreadable in her expression—relief, perhaps, but also weariness. I gestured toward the hall, and Sabrina nodded in understanding.

“Lexie,” I said gently. “Stay here with Alexander for a few minutes, okay? I just need to talk to your mom outside.”

Lexie nodded enthusiastically, clearly unbothered as she turned her full attention back to Alexander, launching into an animated story about something she had done in the packhouse.

I stepped into the hallway, closing the door softly behind me. Sabrina stood in silence for a moment before she offered a small, tired smile.

“She’s doing well,” Sabrina said, answering the unspoken question in my eyes. “Settling into the packhouse with your parents has been easier than I expected. She’s already running around like she owns the place.”

I smiled at the thought. “I’m glad. Keep an eye on them, the’ll spoil her rotten if you let them.”

Sabrina folded her arms, shifting her weight slightly. “I’ve been working with the kitchen staff,” she admitted, almost hesitantly. “I needed to do something, and… turns out, I actually love it. I’ve never cooked for so many people before, but it’s kind of rewarding.”

I tilted my head. “That’s great. I think it’s good that you found something that makes you happy.”

Sabrina hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Yeah. It helps. Keeps my mind off things.” She let out a breath, her gaze darkening slightly. “I won’t lie, though. I’m still shaken up.”

My throat tightened. “Me too.”

Sabrina studied me for a long moment. “And Alexander?”

I swallowed hard. “He’ll be okay. Physically, at least.”

Sabrina’s expression softened. “And you?”

The simple question hit harder than I expected. I hadn’t really allowed myself to process how I was feeling—not with everything else going on. But now, standing here in the quiet hallway, I felt the pressure mounting.

My hands trembled slightly as I exhaled. “I’m scared,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what’s going to happen next. I don’t know what the King is going to do. Alexander and I are being discharged tomorrow, and we have to leave here and go straight to the palace.” I shook my head. “I don’t know what’s waiting for us when we get there.”

Sabrina was quiet for a long moment before she reached out, placing a hand on my arm. “You’ve survived everything they’ve thrown at you,” she said gently. “And you’re not alone in this.”

I let out a weak laugh, though it sounded more like a choked sob. “It doesn’t feel like enough.”

Sabrina squeezed my arm. “It will be. This isn’t a black and white issue, I’m sure that the king will understand the situation was too complicated to handle through the normal channels.”

I hoped that she was right, but I wasn’t sure. We’d lied about so much and taken advantage of Elizabeth’s friendship more than once. The king would be well within his rights to arrest us as traitors.

I took a shaky breath, forcing myself to pull it together. I had spent so much time focusing on Alexander’s recovery, on Lexie’s safety, that I had barely let myself feel any of it.

Now it was all catching up to me. But I couldn’t afford to break down—not yet. Not when we still had so much ahead of us.

Straightening my shoulders, I nodded. “Thank you,” I said softly.

Sabrina nodded in return. “Anytime.”

The sound of giggles from inside the room made both of us turn. Through the small window on the door, we could see Lexie now sitting on Alexander’s bed, waving her hands as she spoke, while Alexander listened intently, a small smile on his face.

Even if it meant standing against the entire kingdom.

What I told Diana was true. I didn’t hold Alexander responsible for the direction his life has taken. He was put in an impossible situation as a child.

He was forced to endure so much and to do so many awful things, but the second he was able to break away he did. He never stopped trying to do the right thing.

He didn’t have to face this alone. Whatever he chose to say to the king tomorrow, I would be right there at his side.

I trust Alexander with my life. The fact that he was afraid this would drive me away broke my heart. After everything we’d been through…

I opened the door and stepped inside with Sabrina. Lexie looked at us as we approached, her wide smile lighting up the room.

Alexander smiled as well, small and almost shy in comparison.

My heart clenched. Whatever happened tomorrow, whatever the King decided, I knew one thing for certain: I would fight for this. For them.