Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 386: Chapter 386

I did not take Zachary back to his room as Alex had told me to. Instead, I brought him to my side bedroom. After I finally got Zachary to sleep, I suddenly heard a faint rustling sound outside.
I frowned slightly, the drowsiness I had felt moments ago instantly replaced by heightened alertness. Just as I was about to get out of bed, I heard the click of a lock turning. Then, in the dim glow of the bedside lamp, I saw a man carefully making his way inside, leaning on a cane.
To be honest, every time I saw Alex walking in with his cane, it felt like a needle had lodged in my throat.
Especially watching him struggle forward, relying on only one side of his body for support I knew exactly how exhausting it was for him, and how hard he worked to make sure no one noticed.
He had been confined to a wheelchair for more than half a month. Though his leg injury had not healed completely, he was able to move around. Alex sometimes used a cane, trying to dispel suspicions and ease the concerns of those around him at the company.
As for the fact that his leg was still far from recovery, the Herrera family likely had no idea. If this dragged on any longer, it would be impossible to keep under wraps.
I quickly got out of bed and stepped forward to support his arm, forcing myself to suppress the emotions stirring inside me. A proud man like Alex did not need anyone's sympathy or pity.
"I can do it myself," Alex said in a low voice.
"I know. I just do not want you to wake Zachary," I replied, my throat tightening. A weight settled in my chest, and my eyes stung slightly. "Why are you here?"
"Since you did not come to me, I had no choice but to come myself," he said, frowning slightly. "Next time, if you do not come, I will just kick Zachary out of bed."
He sounded serious, but I caught a hint of something else in the faint sheen of sweat on his forehead.
"You do not like kids?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Not at all," he replied without hesitation.
I nodded silently. He might say he did not like children, but he was surprisingly indulgent with Zachary. Zachary could even glare at him openly, though, deep down, he was still a little afraid of Alex.
Zachary was not the only one. Sophina, for instance, would never dare to look Alex in the eye, let alone glare at him. In fact, she barely had the courage to meet his gaze at all.
In her eyes, no matter how breathtakingly beautiful Alex's face was, she had witnessed firsthand his ruthless decisiveness while serving Leah.
I carefully helped Alex lie down on the bed. He was wearing only a black silk pajama top, the front slightly open, revealing his toned chest. It was undeniably tempting.
"Why do you have to sleep here?" I could not help but grumble in a low voice. It felt unnecessary for him to keep up the act; there was no audience in the house, only the people closest to us. Anyone could see what our relationship was really like.
Alex sat on the bed, his deep eyes glancing at me as he asked in an indifferent tone, "Are you in a bad mood?"
I simply smiled. Alex had always been able to read people well. Of course, he knew how much that baby had meant to me. He also knew exactly what losing it had cost me.
Perhaps, to him, it was just an insignificant loss. But that was our child. No matter how composed I seemed, it was only because I knew that no amount of grief would change the fact that the baby was gone.
That did not mean I was capable of forgiving those responsible.
"Laurel, I hope you can let go of what happened," Alex said.
"Let go?" I lifted my head and looked at him calmly, letting out a faint, mocking laugh.
Just as I had expected, for the sake of the Herrera family's reputation, Alex would never let an internal power struggle be exposed to outsiders. After all, it was a family disgrace.
Alex exhaled softly. "It was my fault that you lost the baby. Whatever you want, I will make it up to you. I am sorry." His voice was low as if he was afraid of disturbing the sleeping child.
I had always known that my husband was a composed and indifferent man. I also knew very well that he had not married me out of love. It was merely a way to escape the family-arranged marriage.
In other words, I was after his wealth and looks, while he needed a quiet and obedient wife. From beginning to end, our relationship was nothing more than a transaction; there were never any real feelings involved.
As for the child we lost, in his eyes, it was nothing but an obstacle, an unexpected accident. If I had carried the baby to term, we would have been bound together in a way that could not be undone. And if we were to divorce in the future, things between us might have turned ugly.
"Alright." I nodded coldly, but my fingertips dug tightly into my palm.
Pain was the only thing that could keep me clear-headed. Alex had never cared about my feelings.
A sharp ache spread through my chest, yet I kept my voice steady. "I will let you know when I have decided what I want."
Before Alex could respond, I lay down. I did not want to say another word to him. I still could not accept that the man I shared a bed with could be so utterly heartless.
To him, a child was nothing more than a dispensable commodity, something that could be traded for money or other benefits. He had never understood that to me, that baby was the family I had always longed for.
The next morning, when I woke up, Alex was already gone. I had heard him leaving but had not opened my eyes. I knew he did not need my help. Since his accident, he had not shared a single thing with me.
And the control over our marriage had always been in his hands. I had never had a say in it, but I had stopped caring long ago.
The rain had lasted all night, but the weather had cleared up. The post-rain air was particularly fresh, carrying a crisp coolness.
I went alone to the Adams residence, or rather, Jamilah's private residence now.
Jamilah had not expected me to visit. When she saw me at the door, she hesitated for a moment.
But when she realized that I had lost the baby, a trace of emotion flickered across her face, and her eyes turned red.
"Mrs. Adams, I am fine," I said.
"Why did you not tell me anything?" Jamilah asked.
"It was just a miscarriage. I have always been in good health," I replied.
Jamilah mentioned that she had caught a mild cold and had been staying home working to avoid passing it to anyone.
I stayed for an hour before she hurriedly ushered me out, afraid she would get me sick.
As I stepped out the door, my phone rang. It was Marvin. The moment I picked up, his urgent voice came through the receiver. "Skyline Tower is on fire."