Alessia’s mind raced as she left the emergency room, her heels clicking against the cold, sterile hospital floor. What is Christian doing here? she thought, her stomach churning. She hadn’t mentioned where she was, so how could he possibly know she was at the hospital? And why hadn’t he come to see her or check on Zayden?
Her curiosity and growing suspicion pushed her forward. She turned the corner where she had last seen him and froze when she caught sight of him down the hallway. Christian was standing by a nurse’s station, holding a small bouquet of bright flowers. Alessia’s heart sank as she watched his warm, familiar smile—a smile she thought was reserved only for her.
He was talking to a nurse, a petite woman with her hair tucked neatly under a white cap. She laughed softly at something Christian said, and then, to Alessia’s utter shock, he leaned forward and pulled her into a gentle hug. When he pressed a kiss to the nurse’s forehead, Alessia felt like the floor had dropped out from under her.
What the hell is going on? she thought, ducking behind a nearby pillar to watch the scene unfold.
Christian handed the nurse the flowers, his voice low but audible as he said, “I just wanted to brighten your day. You’ve been working so hard.”
The nurse smiled, her cheeks tinged pink. “Christian, you didn’t have to do this. It’s so sweet of you.”
“It’s the least I could do,” he replied, his tone soft. “You’ve been incredible through all of this.”
Alessia’s hands trembled as she gripped the pillar for support. Through all of what? she thought furiously. Her mind was spinning, each word fueling the fire of betrayal burning in her chest. She couldn’t reconcile the man in front of her—the man who had kissed her goodbye that morning, telling her he loved her—with the one standing so intimately with another woman.
The nurse glanced around, as if worried someone might see. “You really didn’t need to come all the way here. What if—”
Christian cut her off with a reassuring smile. “It’s fine. I wanted to see you. Don’t overthink it.”
Alessia’s heart pounded in her chest. She felt a mix of anger, disbelief, and hurt. How could he do this? She had trusted him with everything, and now here he was, acting as if she didn’t exist.
The nurse took the flowers and set them on the counter. “I really appreciate this,” she said quietly, her voice tinged with gratitude.
Christian nodded, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. “You deserve it.”