Chapter 42
Sophie’s eyes fluttered open, the dim light of the hospital room making her squint.
She blinked a few times, trying to make sense of her surroundings. It wasn’t until she saw him—Alex, sitting beside her, looking as if he hadn’t moved an inch since the moment she’d lost consciousness—that reality crashed into her like a freight train.
She gasped, her breath catching in her throat. “Alex…”
He looked up at the sound of her voice, his face instantly filled with concern. “Sophie,” he said softly, his eyes filled with a mix of relief and worry. “You’re awake.”
Sophie felt a lump form in her throat. Tears began to well in her eyes as everything came flooding back—the abduction, the terrifying moments, the endless fear for her life.
And now, here he was, sitting next to her like nothing had ever happened between them.
She couldn’t hold it in any longer. The tears spilled over, and she choked on a sob. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her voice shaky. “I’m so sorry for everything… for leaving… for being an ingrate…”
Alex immediately reached for her hand, his touch gentle, comforting. “Shh,” he said, his voice soothing. “Don’t apologize. You don’t owe me anything. It’s not your fault.”
Sophie’s chest tightened, and she squeezed his hand in return, wanting to believe him, but still feeling so much guilt gnawing at her.
A few moments passed in silence as she tried to steady herself. “How long have I been here?” she asked, wiping her eyes.
“Only a few hours,” Alex answered, glancing over at the doctor who was checking on her vitals.
Sophie turned her gaze to the doctor, who was taking notes on a clipboard. “When can I go home?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor gave her a warm smile before responding. “You’re doing well. I’d recommend staying the night for observation, and then you should be good to go home tomorrow. Just take it easy.”
Sophie nodded, relieved. She wanted to go home, but she also felt a deep unease at the thought of being anywhere without Alex by her side.
As the doctor left, Alex stood up, looking down at her with a soft expression. “I’m staying with you,” he said simply.
Sophie immediately shook her head. “No, you don’t have to. You should go home. I’ll be fine.”
But Alex just looked at her, his jaw set. “No, I’m staying. I’m not leaving you, Sophie. Not again.”
Her heart twisted at his words. She stared at him in silence, unsure of what to say next.
Why was he being so kind to her?
After everything she’d put him through, after all the mistakes she’d made, why was he still here, still willing to care for her?
“Why… why are you being so kind to me?” Sophie finally asked, her voice a mere whisper.
Alex’s gaze softened, and for a moment, he seemed to hesitate, as if choosing his words carefully. “Because I never stopped loving you,” he said quietly, almost as if it pained him to admit it.
Sophie’s heart skipped a beat. “What?”
“I haven’t been in any serious relationship since we broke up,” Alex continued, his voice steady but raw. “Not one. I couldn’t. Not with anyone else. I tried, but… I always wanted you, Sophie.”
Sophie’s eyes widened in shock. She wasn’t sure how to react.
Ten years? He’d been carrying this around for ten years? How could she have never known? How could she have been so blind?
She didn’t know what to say. She wanted to tell him that she didn’t feel the same way—that she couldn’t force her heart open again, not after everything that had happened.
But the words felt stuck in her throat. She couldn’t bring herself to say it. Not with the way he was looking at her, the vulnerability in his eyes.
The silence between them stretched, thick with unspoken words. Sophie’s chest ached, and she looked away, unable to meet his gaze.
She wished she could say something that would make everything better, something that would fix all the hurt between them.
Alex seemed to sense her struggle, and after a long pause, he leaned forward slightly, his voice low but determined.
“Sophie, please,” he said, his hand gently cupping hers. “I know everything is complicated, but… I want you back. I want to try again. I want you to be my girlfriend.”
Sophie’s jaw dropped. Her mind went blank, and she stared at him, unable to process his words at first.
Was he serious? Had he really just asked her that? After everything that had happened?
She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She was in shock. Alex had always been a part of her past—someone she could never forget, but someone she’d thought she was done with.
She never expected to hear him say something like this. It felt impossible.
“Sophie,” Alex said softly, his voice pleading. “I know it’s sudden, and I know everything is a mess right now, but I can’t pretend I don’t still love you. I can’t.”
Her heart raced in her chest, the reality of his words hitting her like a ton of bricks.
She wanted to say something, anything, to explain the turmoil inside her, but all she could do was stare at him, her mind spinning.
“I…” Sophie swallowed hard, her throat dry. “I don’t know what to say.”
Alex gave her a sad smile, his thumb gently brushing over the back of her hand. “You don’t have to say anything right now,” he replied quietly. “But I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here. Whenever you’re ready.”
Sophie took a deep breath, her emotions swirling.
She couldn’t deny that part of her—some small part—still longed for the life they could have had. But after everything, could she really open her heart to him again? Could she let him back in after all the pain and confusion when she wasn’t even divorced yet?
