Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_46
Quinn had often wondered, had Alexander not intervened that day, whether she could have found some semblance of happiness by now. But as her hope ebbed away, a beam of light broke through the leaves above, catching her attention.
With great effort, Quinn slowly opened her eyes, her lashes fluttering as she tried to lift her head. Through the gaps in the pine branches, she spotted a distant silhouette. She clutched her abdomen, gathering what little strength she had left, struggling to rise from the underbrush.
The figure ahead seemed far away—at least three hundred feet.
Silently, Quinn pushed herself forward, determined to bridge the distance. She had to save her child.
The source of the light was a flashlight, wielded by a patrolling security guard.
Unfortunately, as she lay on the ground, concealed by the shadows, the guard didn’t notice her. His flashlight beam swept briefly in her direction before moving on, and he continued his patrol, unaware of the life in peril.
As the light and the guard faded into the distance, Quinn’s hand relaxed, her strength draining. The last flicker of light in her eyes slowly faded into darkness.
“Ouch!” Getty winced in pain, jerking upright from her semi-slumped position on the couch.
“Easy there! That really hurts,” she complained.
Her injured leg was in Alexander’s hands. The wound on her calf was deep, still fresh, with no scab yet. Thick, coagulated blood clung to the injury, and the surrounding skin was bruised and swollen. Alexander was carefully applying medicine to the wound with a cotton swab, but each touch was enough to make her wince, and the sting almost brought her to tears.
Alexander glanced at the swab in his hand, his expression softening in a sigh. “Just stay still,” he murmured, trying to calm her.
“I didn’t move, you know?” Getty grumbled, though there was a playful edge in her voice. “You’re the one distracted. Which girl has caught your attention now?”
Alexander glanced at her, his lips curling into a teasing smile. “Which girl?”
“You know, the ones lining up for your attention. How would I know which one you’re thinking of?” Getty rolled her eyes before adding with a hint of flirtation, “Be gentle, alright? It really hurts. I can’t stand the pain.”
“My fault, obviously,” she continued with a mock pout. “It’s like pulling teeth just to have a simple meal with you.”
Alexander remained silent as he focused again, picking up the iodine to continue tending to her injury. His distraction had faded.
Seeing his renewed focus, a warm smile crept across Getty’s face. He did care for her, she thought. Certainly more than that other woman ever did.
While they were tending to the wound, the phone on the table rang. It was Kyle.
But Alexander didn’t answer.
Kyle, feeling anxious, hung up. He knew Alexander wasn’t asleep; he had chosen not to pick up, probably knowing exactly what Kyle wanted to say. Alexander understood everything, but sometimes, he could be so cold.
As the phone call ended, Getty returned her attention to her own phone, then paused suddenly as a thought crossed her mind.
“Sweetheart, do you remember my birthday?” she asked.
“November twenty-fifth,” Alexander replied, his voice devoid of emotion but his accuracy giving Getty a deep sense of satisfaction.
A man like him remembering her birthday felt special. She smiled brightly, pleased with the knowledge that she had that privilege.
“Good, you didn’t forget. But don’t you dare give me a half-hearted celebration this year,” she warned with a teasing tone.
“It’s done. You should get some rest,” Alexander said, carefully setting her leg down and standing up. “I’ll be off now.”
Getty’s smile faded, her panic evident. She grabbed his arm. “You’re leaving again?”
