Chapter 13

As soon as Alexander reached the office, Nolan approached him. “Mr. Tudor, Ms. Russell isn’t feeling well; I took her to the hospital. The villa surveillance footage you requested is in your email.”

Watching the video, Alexander’s face grew colder by the second.

At the hospital, Alexander stood outside the hospital room door.

“Mom, what do I do? I didn’t know there were cameras.”

“Why are you freaking out? Remember, it was that witch Elizabeth who shoved you…”

Alexander’s face turned even colder. He pushed open the hospital room door and walked in.

Esme swallowed her words when she saw him. “Alexander,”

Alexander acted as if he hadn’t heard anything, gently stroking Esme’s hair. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

Esme just sobbed softly, not saying a word.

Clara Cooper spoke up for her, “It’s your wife, of course. She and Esme fell down the stairs together, but you didn’t catch Esme in time. She’s too soft-hearted and feels guilty!”

“Yeah, Esme’s just too kind.” Alexander’s eyes were calm, his fingers gently caressing her face, emotions swirling beneath the surface.

Esme looked at him, suddenly feeling uneasy.

“Alexander, Esme’s put up with a lot over the years. When are you going to give her the status she deserves?” Clara’s voice was sharp.

Esme felt a pang of sadness as Alexander remained silent.

“Mom, don’t pressure him. He’s already under a lot of stress,” Esme sniffed, trying to defend him.

“You always think of others, but not everyone thinks of you!” Clara tapped Esme’s forehead.

Alexander couldn’t ignore Clara’s sarcastic tone. “Clara, I need to talk to Esme alone. Can you give us a moment?”

Hearing this, Esme felt a little jittery. Had he seen the surveillance footage?

After Clara left, Alexander pulled up a chair and sat by the bed.

Esme leaned back, hands nervously twisting. “Alexander, what do you want to say?”

Alexander raised his hand, his fingertips brushing her still slightly red cheek, and gently asked, “Does it still hurt?”

Esme shook her head.

His gentleness felt like an invisible wall, making her envious.

Alexander smiled. “Why did you hurt yourself so badly?”

Esme, I told you many times. Why did you still do this? Alexander frowned, speaking bluntly.

“Alexander, I don’t know what you’re saying,” Esme lowered her head.

Alexander was silent for a few seconds, then took out his phone and played the video. In the footage, Elizabeth grabbed Esme’s arm, slapped her face, then fell toward the staircase and pushed Elizabeth.

Their eyes met; his gaze held anger, but his tone was incredibly calm. “You set this up?”

Esme choked up, lowering her head, her hands nervously clutching the blanket. “I…”

“Esme, do you know what you’re doing?” Alexander lifted her chin.

She had truly let him down. He trusted Esme so much. How could she pull this stunt?

Esme shot Alexander a displeased look. “Do you even know what you’re doing?” With red eyes, she asked, “Are you questioning me because of Elizabeth?”

“Esme, this isn’t the same thing. I hate mind games, and you…” He trusted her, but she made him look like a fool in front of Elizabeth!

“I just wanted to see if you’d choose me, is that so wrong?” Esme felt hurt.

Alexander gritted his teeth, lowering his voice. “You’re testing my feelings?”

“You didn’t make me feel secure,” Esme glared, tears streaming down her face.

Alexander’s heart trembled. Through her, he saw Elizabeth’s self-mocking yet calm face.

He lowered his head. If Elizabeth had said this, he’d agree. He never gave Elizabeth a sense of security.

Esme wiped her tears, her voice hoarse. “Alexander. One heart can’t hold two people. If you love Elizabeth, I’ll step aside.”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed. Esme’s words kept reminding him that he owed her his life.

He sighed, looking down. “Esme.”

Esme knew mentioning the rescue would always make him give in. Seeing him lower his head, she seized the moment. “Alexander, I know I messed up. Please forgive me. I won’t do it again.”

“Alright,” Alexander replied, his tone flat, not wanting to say more. But as he looked at Esme, his mind was a mess, filled with thoughts of Elizabeth. He had wronged her.