Alexander's POV
Silent Hill Private Hospital, 8:30AM
I found myself rushing to Silent Hill Private Hospital. Somehow, I had spent an entire night repeating Raziel's warning in my head.
The moment I arrived at the hospital, I immediately realized something was wrong. The atmosphere outside Elena's ward was different.
Several nurses hurried past me carrying medical files while another spoke quietly into her communication device. Even Lucien Grey stood outside the room with an unusually solemn expression upon his face.
My footsteps slowed.
"What happened?"
Lucien immediately lowered his head.
"Miss Elena developed a fever early this morning, sir."
The words caused me to frown.
"How high?"
"The medical team is still examining her."
Before I could question him further, the door to the ward opened and the attending physician stepped outside.
The moment he saw me, his expression softened slightly.
"Mr. Blackwood."
"Doctor."
I wasted no time asking, "What's wrong with her?"
The doctor adjusted his glasses before speaking carefully.
"Miss Elena's blood pressure increased drastically this morning. She's also been experiencing dizziness, excessive drowsiness and a persistent fever."
My expression darkened almost immediately.
"Is she in danger?"
"At the moment, no."
Only then did I feel some of the tension leave my chest.
The doctor continued, "However, considering the complexity of her surgery, we're unwilling to take any risks."
I remained silent and allowed him to continue.
"We'll be monitoring her very closely for at least a week. A medical team has already been assigned exclusively to her case."
"Will she recover completely?"
"We fully expect her to," he answered honestly. "Her body simply needs time to heal."
I slowly clenched my jaw. Time was the one thing I wished I could give to her.
The doctor looked toward Elena's room before speaking again.
"Miss Elena has been under considerable stress lately. Rest is what she needs most right now."
My eyes unconsciously shifted toward the closed door separating us. I had nearly taken her away from the hospital yesterday because of my own fears. I let out a laugh at my own foolishness.
The doctor smiled faintly.
"Mr. Blackwood, she'll be alright."
I nodded quietly before asking, "Can I see her?"
"She's sleeping at the moment. I would advise against waking her."
Silence settled briefly between us.
"Then don't wake her."
If she was finally getting the rest she needed, I wasn't willing to become the reason she lost it.
The doctor gave me a reassuring smile.
"You don't have to worry. We'll take proper care of her."
"No."
The doctor looked at me in slight confusion.
"You misunderstand me, Doctor."
My gaze shifted toward Elena's room once more.
"I'm going to worry regardless."
His expression softened at my words.
Before he could respond, my phone began vibrating inside my suit pocket.
I frowned slightly before retrieving my phone.
Sebastian.
Somehow, I already knew this wasn't going to be good news.
"Speak."
"Master," Sebastian said, his voice unusually serious. "They're waiting for you."
"Where?"
"At the Birch's Enterprises."
I remained silent.
"The board of directors is currently discussing the company's future. Several investors are threatening to pull out because of Miss Seraphina's incident and the movie project is already being affected."
Sebastian paused briefly before continuing.
"Master..."
"...it's time."
The call ended shortly afterward.
I slowly lowered the phone before releasing a quiet sigh.
There were days when I genuinely wondered whether the world simply enjoyed denying me peace.
My gaze lingered upon Elena's door for several moments.
If circumstances allowed it, I would've remained here beside her for the entire week. Unfortunately, circumstances rarely asked for my permission before arriving.
"Doctor."
"Yes?"
"Spare no expense concerning her treatment."
The doctor smiled helplessly.
"That goes without saying."
"No," I corrected quietly. "You misunderstand me."
I looked directly into his eyes before continuing.
"If she needs the best specialists in Thide Country, bring them here. If she needs the best specialists from another country, bring them here. If she needs equipment that doesn't exist in Wan State, purchase it."
The doctor remained silent.
"Do whatever is necessary."
For the first time since meeting me, I watched the old doctor become momentarily speechless.
Finally, he smiled warmly.
"I understand, Mr. Blackwood."
I gave him a slight nod before turning to leave.
Somehow, my footsteps felt considerably heavier than when I had arrived.
Several minutes later, I entered my car waiting outside the hospital.
Sebastian immediately noticed my expression.
"Master?"
"Her condition worsened."
His face immediately darkened.
"Is she alright?"
"For now."
The atmosphere inside the vehicle immediately became heavy.
I slowly leaned back against the seat before closing my eyes briefly.
Elena's sleeping face quietly surfaced within my mind once more.
The woman I loved more than my own peace of mind was once again lying upon a hospital bed while I could do absolutely nothing for her.
I hated that feeling.
"Master," Sebastian called quietly.
I slowly opened my eyes.
"Drive."
"Destination?"
I gave a final look at the hospital.
"To the Birch's Enterprises."
Outside the car, the city continued moving as though nothing had changed.
Yet somehow, I couldn't shake the feeling that another storm had already begun approaching.
And this time… I intended to become the storm itself.