Alessia said, "Just a moment ago, I was worried that something might happen to you. But now, I suddenly realized that living as a coward is more painful than death. Since you can't step out of the darkness, then stay trapped in it forever. Just consider it payback for my grandfather rescuing you from the fire pit, all in vain."
Bringing up her grandfather left Riley at a loss, but his eyes, devoid of hope for the future, sparked with brilliance. His thin lips moved slightly.
Unconsciously, he took a step back, away from the vehicles and the road.
Seeing him like this, Alessia knew that his desire for death had waned.
While she felt relieved, she also felt heartache.
"Brother, I hope that you can emerge from the shadows of the past. Can you please think about it for my sake?"
Alessia's emotions were laid bare as she gently placed her hand on Riley's shoulder, sincerely pleading, "I've lost all my memories from before, except for my three children, you're the closest person to me. Please don't make me worry."
Her heartfelt plea was aimed at influencing Riley.
Riley looked at Alessia's face. Meeting again, he noticed how much more mature she had become compared to his memories. His eyes softened slightly, and he reached out to pat Alessia's head, his face filled with guilt.
"I'm sorry, Sia. I scared you. I won't do it again."
"Brother..." Alessia furrowed her brows. She didn't want Riley's apology.
His apology seemed insincere, merely surface-level. He still hid himself in the darkness, unwilling to truly let anyone into his heart.
"Okay, Miss Carter's matter has been resolved. You don't need to persuade me anymore. If you really want to help me, then go persuade Miss Carter to abort the child. She's still young, her life has just begun, she shouldn't be ruined by someone like me." Riley didn't want to engage in further conversation. His mind was made up.
Alessia paused. Seeing that Riley had regained his composure and remained steadfast, she realized that changing him wouldn't happen overnight.
She pursed her lips and decided not to force Riley to open up. It would take time, and rushing wouldn't help.
"Okay, then you should go back and rest properly."
"I know, I am over thirty, not three." Riley adjusted his glasses, elegant and handsome. It was hard to believe that such a refined young man had contemplated suicide just minutes ago.
Alessia couldn't help but smile wryly. She watched as Riley got into a taxi before turning back to the hospital.
Inside the ward at this moment, Dominic wasn't there. Bianca was lying on the bed, her emotions stable now. When she saw Alessia come in, she didn't avoid her, but rather waved to her openly.
"Sister-in-law, come over here quickly. I've heard about Jessie's surgery. Thanks to you today."
Alessia blinked and walked over as she was asked. "Bianca, I am sorry, you've been wronged."
"Oh." Bianca waved her hand indifferently. "It's nothing, although you're skilled in medicine, you're not a human scanner. You can't just take one look at me and know if I'm pregnant. Besides, my pregnancy has nothing to do with you. You are you, and he is him."
Bianca seemed capricious and willful, but when it came to major issues, she understood logic better than anyone else, thanks to Dominic's careful teachings.
Alessia's heart stirred. She couldn't help but recall several instances where Dominic had defended Bianca. This man always wore a ferocious expression when dealing with Bianca, but he was actually incredibly doting on her.
Just now, when Alessia left the ward, Bianca was still clearly affected by emotional distress, avoiding mentioning her pregnancy. But in just over ten minutes, her mood had completely changed. It was as if a knot had been untied.
There was no need to think about it; it was all thanks to Dominic.
"Bianca, about the child..." Alessia glanced at Bianca's belly, not directly persuading her as Riley had instructed, but delicately asking.
She wanted to hear Bianca's own thoughts. After all, everyone had their own considerations and concerns, and what one person thought was good, might not be considered good by another.
Bianca understood Alessia's meaning. She smiled with a motherly expression, gently caressing her still inconspicuous belly.
"Sister-in-law, I like children. I want to give birth to him. I hope that he will be as cute as my three nephews and niece in the future."
Seeing Bianca's actions, Alessia understood that she had already made her decision.
Her gaze shifted from Bianca's belly to her face, meeting her eyes. With her eyes, she conveyed her support for Bianca's decision and decided not to mention the matter Riley had instructed her about.
Alessia held her hand. "If you need any help in the future, just let me know."
Bianca didn't feel the need to be polite. She reached out and grabbed Alessia's hand.
"Sister-in-law, I'll need your help in many ways in the future. When the baby is born, I'll definitely need you to design clothes for him. And all the baby's future health issues will be entrusted to you."
She liked Bianca's current lively and cheerful appearance, unlike her worried demeanor from a few days ago.
There was nothing more important than being happy.
"Okay, I'm more than happy to help with all that." There was a hint of indulgence in Alessia's cool eyes. She truly regarded Bianca as her own sister.
"Thanks, sister-in-law," Bianca said, viewing Alessia as her own sister as well.
She leaned her head on Alessia's shoulder and sighed with both admiration and regret. "Sister-in-law, if I hadn't been blinded by appearances before, and had discovered your goodness sooner, you definitely wouldn't have divorced my brother."
Alessia paused for a moment, then patted Bianca's shoulder without responding.
Bianca, who was emotional enough, started to become curious about Alessia's medical skills. "Sister-in-law, with your remarkable medical skills, I think you must be even better than Tiffany. Do you have any other hidden identities? Tell me about it."
"Yeah, Sia, I want to know too."
Alessia was about to speak when Tiffany walked in carrying a bouquet of flowers and a fruit basket, followed by the stern-faced Dominic.
Alessia's expression instantly softened because she sensed the hint of sarcasm in Tiffany's eyes.
Bianca felt embarrassed and scratched her head.
Comparing Tiffany to Sister-in-law just now was indeed a bit disrespectful. Although these were her inner thoughts, it might not be appropriate to say them aloud, especially when the person concerned was present.
Tiffany smiled and hugged Bianca, giving her some comfort. After letting go, she turned to Alessia.
"Sia, I heard about what happened at the hospital today as soon as I arrived. It's a bit inappropriate. We're all from the same laboratory, but I didn't know your background. How about we have a medical skills competition when you have time?"
Tiffany raised her chin slightly, her tone gentle but filled with pride.
With her early fame and the status of being the Olsen family's daughter, she indeed had the capital to be proud.
However, faced with her challenge, Alessia couldn't summon any interest. She glanced away indifferently.
"Medical skills are meant to cure and save lives, not to compete. If you have so much free time, perhaps you could perform a few more surgeries. The families of the patients would surely be grateful."
Her words were light and unassuming, contrasting with Tiffany's earlier utilitarian remarks. The difference between them was clear.
Tiffany was taken aback, her lips slightly parted. She wanted to argue that Alessia was afraid to compete, afraid to lose.
But seeing the furrowed brows of Dominic, she knew she had to stop. If her image was tarnished, at least she couldn't incur Dominic's displeasure.
Perhaps Alessia did have some real skills, but it was impossible to surpass her. Today's surgery was just luck.
Alessia was just pretending; she couldn't pretend forever.
After realizing this, Tiffany felt as if she had swallowed two flies. Suppressing her nausea, she addressed Alessia, "You're right, Sia. I misspoke earlier. I may have caused a misunderstanding. I apologize."
Apologizing on one hand and implying her pursuit of fame on the other?
Tiffany's rank was several levels higher than Sisca's. Now targeting her, if she were to become Dominic's wife, who knows how she would target her three children.
Maybe she could give her a watch someday.
Alessia sneered and glanced at Tiffany. "Whether or not you're aware, Miss Olsen, we understand each other's intentions."
"Oh, my bad, my bad. It's all my fault for saying the wrong thing. Tiffany, you shouldn't trouble my sister-in-law anymore." Bianca squeezed between Alessia and Tiffany, holding the flowers.
Alessia's gaze softened.
Tiffany narrowly avoided showing any signs of anger. Troubling her sister-in-law? Bianca was clearly taking sides, and she needed to bring her back to her side.
Her brother had just met with Bianca, and they seemed to be getting along well.
It was time to give her brother a call and let him know that Bianca was in the hospital.
Having made up her mind, Tiffany no longer pursued the topic. She helped Bianca back to bed, supporting her hand.
"Alright, Bianca, you're sick and still worrying about these things. Go lie down on the bed."
Tiffany didn't know that Bianca was pregnant, only that she was injured.
Bianca was already lost in her own thoughts, relieved that Tiffany was no longer pressing the issue.
However, her impression of Tiffany had deteriorated slightly. Tiffany used to be easy to talk to, so why had she changed now?
Just like last time at the old house, she had intentionally steered the conversation toward her sister-in-law, as if she harbored ill will toward her.
Bianca realized this and looked at Dominic, who remained expressionless, as if he were an outsider.
***