The hospital corridor felt colder than before.Brighter. Sharper.
Malissa followed the nurse without slowing down.
Her steps quick. Unsteady.
"Right this way," the nurse said.
Malissa didn't respond.
Her eyes stayed forward. Every second stretched too long. Every step felt like it wasn't fast enough.
They stopped in front of a door.
"Doctor is inside," the nurse said gently.
Malissa didn't wait.
She pushed the door open.
Malissa stepped in. The room was quiet.
Spacious. Private.
Her mother lay on the bed, connected to monitors that blinked steadily.
"Malissa."
The voice came from the side. The doctor stepped forward.
He was the same one. Her mother's attending doctor.
Relief flickered briefly across her face.
"What happened?" she asked quickly.
"She had a complication early this morning," he said. "We've stabilized her, but we'll need to monitor her closely over the next few days."
Malissa nodded, her attention already shifting back to the bed.
"Mum…"
Her voice came out smaller than she expected.
She moved closer to the bed. Her fingers hovered then gently touched her mother's hand. Warm. Still warm.
Her chest tightened.
"You're okay," she whispered.
More to herself than anyone else.
"You're okay…"
Her mother's eyes fluttered open.
Slowly.
"…Malissa?"
Malissa leaned closer immediately.
"I'm here."
Her voice steadied just a little.
"I'm here, Mum."
Her mother blinked weakly.
"You came…"
"Of course I came," Malissa said quickly.
Her mother's gaze shifted slightly.
Taking in the room.
Something about her expression changed.
"…i still can't get used to this room."
Malissa paused.
She had noticed it the last time.
The space was different.
Wider. Quieter. More private.
She never really thanked him for this.
Outside the room, the corridor remained quiet. Footsteps approached. Measured. Professional.
A man in a dark suit stopped a few steps from Alexander.
"Mr. Marquez."
Alexander turned slightly.
The hospital director stood before him. Composed. Respectful.
"We've ensured your… request has been fully carried out," he said carefully. "She is receiving priority attention from our best team."
A brief pause.
"If there is anything further...""No interruptions," Alexander said.
The director nodded immediately.
"Of course."
"And her treatment?"
"Handled personally."
Alexander gave a faint nod. That was enough.The corridor fell quiet again.
Inside the room, Malissa sat beside the bed.
Her hand still wrapped around her mother's.
Her mother's breathing was slow.
But steady.
"…you look tired," her mother said faintly.
Malissa shook her head.
"I'm fine."
That word again.
Fine.
Her mother studied her.
Even now, She could see through it.
"You're working too hard again," she murmured.
Malissa forced a small smile.
"It's nothing."
Her mother's gaze softened.
"You always say that."
A pause.
"…but you've been doing so much already."
Malissa's grip tightened slightly.
Her throat felt dry.
She looked away briefly.
"I'm managing," she said.
The words didn't feel as convincing anymore.
Her mother's eyes lingered on her.
Then, Softly.
"You don't have to carry everything alone."
Malissa froze.
For a moment. She couldn't respond.
Because lately, that was exactly what she had been doing.
Until, her thoughts paused.
Her mother's eyes shifted toward the door.
She had already noticed.
"…he's here, isn't he?"
Malissa paused.
"…yes."
A quiet moment passed.
"You don't have to explain," her mother said softly.
"Let him come in."
Malissa's breath caught slightly. She hadn't expected that.
"I.."
She hesitated. Then nodded slowly.
"I'll call him."
Malissa stepped toward the door. The door closed softly behind her.
Alexander turned slightly as she approached.
"She wants to see you," she said quietly.
Alexander didn't react immediately.
Just looked at her. Alexander entered.
His presence filled the room instantly.
Malissa stood beside the bed.
Silent. Observing. Her mother studied him carefully.
"You're Alexander."
"Yes."
A pause.
Her mother looked at Malissa.
"Can you get me some water?"
Malissa blinked slightly.
"There's some right.."
"From the dispenser outside," her mother added gently.
A look passed between them.
Soft. Knowing. Malissa hesitated.
Then nodded.
"I'll be back."
She stepped out.
Closing the door shut behind her.
Alexander stood beside the bed.
Still. Measured.
Malissa's mother looked at him carefully.
Taking him in. The suit. The posture.The presence.
Everything about him spoke of power.
But her gaze didn't waver.
"Thank you."
Alexander's gaze shifted slightly.
"For what?"
Her voice was weak.
But steady.
"For taking care of my daughter."
Silence settled between them.
"She's been struggling for a long time," her mother continued. "Longer than she lets anyone see."
Alexander said nothing.
But he listened.
"She doesn't ask for help," she said. "Even when she needs it."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"She got that from her father."
A pause.
Her eyes softened.
"All I've ever wanted…"
Her voice weakened slightly.
"…is for her to be okay."
Alexander's gaze lowered briefly.
Then returned.
"She will be."
The words came out calm. Certain.
Not a promise spoken lightly.
Her mother studied him for a moment.
Then nodded faintly.
"I believe you."
Outside, Malissa stood still.
Waiting. Seconds stretched.
Then the door opened. Alexander stepped out. Their eyes met again but either of them spoke. Not immediately. Something had shifted. Quietly. Subtly. But undeniably.
Alexander straightened slightly.
"I have work to attend to."
The words were neutral.
Controlled. As always.
Malissa nodded faintly.
"Okay."
He didn't stay. Didn't linger.
He turned and walked away.
Malissa watched him go.
Then turned back.
And stepped into the room again.
Her mother looked at her.
A soft smile on her lips.
"You're lucky."
Malissa frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Her mother's eyes held something gentle.
"He's a good man."
Malissa paused.
For a moment. She didn't respond.
Then. Quietly,
"That's not…"
She stopped.
Shook her head slightly.
"He's just helping."
Her mother didn't argue. Didn't push. She simply smiled.
"As long as you're not alone anymore."
Malissa's gaze dropped.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the bedsheet.
Because the truth was she didnt know what this was anymore.
A contract. An arrangement. Or something else.
Something she didn't fully understand yet.
And that uncertainty,
Was beginning to matter.