Chapter 124: Conflicted.
ALEX
The moment I arrived at Eva’s room, my eyes immediately landed on her.
She was lying on the cold floor, and her face was unusually pale, almost devoid of color, and for reasons I couldn’t quite explain, my heart tightened painfully inside my chest.
A strange ache settled over me, and It caught me completely off guard.
No. It couldn’t possibly be because of Eva.
There was no way.
I immediately convinced myself that the feeling had nothing to do with her. It had to be because of the baby.
My baby.
That had to be the reason my chest suddenly felt so heavy.
Without wasting another second, I hurried toward her and quickly lowered myself onto the floor beside her.
"Eva, what’s wrong with my baby?" I asked anxiously the moment I reached her.
The words left my mouth almost instinctively, as concern filled every syllable.
"Alex... you’re finally here," Eva whispered, her voice so faint and weak that anyone listening would immediately assume she was seriously ill.
I frowned deeply."Speak, Eva." I said, as my eyes immediately dropped to her stomach. "Is my baby okay?" is used, as my gaze lingered there for several seconds before returning to her pale face. "I heard you were clutching your belly." I added, as the worry inside me only continued to grow. "Should I call the doctor?"
For a split second, something changed.
Eva’s face somehow became even paler than it already was.
The sudden reaction puzzled me.
Why would she react like that?
If she had truly been in severe pain, shouldn’t the doctor have been the very first person she wanted to see?
Why call for me before calling the physician?
The thought briefly crossed my mind, but I didn’t dwell on it.
"No need to call the doctor, Alex," she replied softly. "I... I’m feeling a little better now."
As she spoke, her hands reached for mine and gripped them tightly.
I blinked in surprise, because her grip was unexpectedly firm.
Far stronger than I would have expected from someone who looked so weak only moments ago.
The contrast immediately caught my attention.
For someone who seemed barely able to speak...she certainly wasn’t lacking strength.
A slight crease formed between my brows.
What exactly was she afraid of?
Or perhaps...What exactly was she trying so desperately to hold onto?
"Eva," I said gently, looking directly into her eyes. "Is there anything you need me to get for you?"
She remained silent, as not a single word escaped her lips, as she only continued holding onto my hand.
For some reason, the silence caused that strange ache in my chest to return. A dull, persistent pain that I couldn’t quite explain.
Without thinking any further, I carefully slid one arm beneath her knees and the other behind her back.
Then I lifted her effortlessly into my arms.
She was surprisingly light.
Holding her in a bridal carry, I rose to my feet before walking the short distance to the bed.
I lowered her carefully onto the mattress, making sure she was comfortable before slowly withdrawing my arms.
"My baby wouldn’t like such a cold environment," I murmured quietly the moment she was settled on the bed.
My gaze instinctively drifted once more toward her stomach, concern still lingering heavily in my heart.
After carefully settling Eva on the bed, I slowly turned toward the door.
Since she had already said she was feeling a little better, there was no reason for me to remain here any longer.
I needed to return to Ella.
The thought alone made my steps feel lighter.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I remembered something that had happened only moments ago.
She had called me...Baby.
The single word echoed repeatedly inside my head.
I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Despite everything that had happened between us...
Despite the arguments...
Despite the coldness she had shown me...
She had still called me baby.
That had to mean something.
Ella still loved me.
Deep down, I had always known that, no matter how much she tried to deny it...no matter how distant she acted...her heart still belonged to me.
And once again...I had been right.
I had barely reached the door.
My fingers had just begun reaching for the handle when a sharp scream suddenly tore through the room.
"Arrrrghhhhh!" Eva’s cry echoed loudly against the walls. "Alex... my belly!"
The panic in her voice instantly made me freeze.
I spun around so quickly that I nearly lost my balance, as shock washed over my face.
"My baby..." I whispered, my voice barely audible even to myself.
Without wasting another second, I rushed back toward the bed.
I immediately took hold of Eva’s hands, trying my best to remain calm despite the panic rapidly building inside me.
"Call the doctor!" I shouted at the omega who still stood frozen inside the room.
The order had barely left my mouth when Eva squeezed my hands.
"No need, Alex," she murmured softly. "Just... stay with me." She added, as she looked directly into my eyes. "Our baby needs you."
Her words instantly threw me into turmoil.
A deep conflict settled inside my chest,was part of me desperately wanted to remain here. After all...the baby mattered, not just to me but to Ella as well.
Yet another part of me couldn’t stop thinking about Ella.
I was certain she was waiting for me, waiting for me to return to her side and waiting for me to keep my promise.
I drew in a long, shaky breath.
And then suddenly without warning...her voice echoed inside my head.
’Would your love be enough for both of us?’
The memory struck me like lightning.
"Shit," I cursed quietly under my breath.
No! Eva could take care of herself, and the baby would be fine.
Right now...I needed to return to Ella.
"I can’t remain here, Eva," I said gently, forcing the warmest smile I could manage despite everything weighing on my mind. "I have something important I need to attend to."
I didn’t give her the chance to respond, because If I stayed any longer, I knew I would hesitate again.
So I turned toward the door once more, but before I could take another step...
"Cancel the inauguration ceremony, Alex." Eva said, as her calm but firm voice stopped me in my tracks. "I don’t think I’ll be able to attend it."Sje added.
My hand froze on the doorknob.
Every muscle in my body became rigid as her words slowly sank in.
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