Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 450: Chapter 450

"It's not like that. If you want to sleep, go home and sleep. What are you doing here?" Alex's voice carried a mix of irritation and confusion.
Without missing a beat, I narrowed my eyes and lay down next to him on the bed, closing my eyes and murmuring, "Why can't I stay here? Or are you expecting someone else tonight?"
I yawned involuntarily, the exhaustion from everything catching up with me.
Alex's body immediately stiffened, and he turned to look at me with disbelief. His expression was a tangled mess of anger, frustration, and, oddly enough, a flicker of panic that he quickly tried to hide.
"You... You need to get up, this is my bed," he said, reaching out as if to push me away.
But I held on tight to the blanket, unwilling to budge. "I'm not getting up. I'm tired, and I don't want to go anywhere. I just want to sleep here."
His hand froze in midair, and after a long pause, he let out a heavy sigh, his resistance seemingly crumbling. "I can't deal with you," he muttered, though there was a hint of reluctant compromise in his voice.
The room fell into a quiet lull, only our soft breathing breaking the silence.
A little while later, I felt Alex move. At first, I thought he was about to kick me out, but instead, he carefully shifted over, making more space for me on the bed.
I cracked one eye open and glanced at him. His face had a faint blush, and his eyes avoided mine, filled with an unspoken awkwardness.
"Don't... don't move around too much," he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with discomfort.
I sighed in relief when I received a message from Alfie that Marvin was out of danger. My tight, anxious chest finally loosened, and I exhaled deeply.
The warmth of the blanket and my exhaustion soon took over, and without realizing it, I fell asleep.
When I awoke again, it was the pangs of hunger that stirred me from my sleep.
I found Alex no longer beside me. He was sitting on the sofa, his knees covered with a black-and-white checkered blanket, a book in his hands, looking completely relaxed.
"Now that you're awake, you should leave. Don't take up my space," Alex said, his face twisted in disdain.
I could tell he was still angry. But I didn't understand why. Was he upset because I had gotten involved with the Adams family mess? Or was he mad that I had dragged him into this mess with me?
I asked, "I'm hungry, is there anything to eat?"
I didn't let his cold attitude affect me. I got out of bed and plopped down next to him, my head still a little foggy.
"Aren't you hungry?" I glanced at him.
Despite the blue-and-white striped hospital gown, Alex still exuded that inherent air of dignity. It was true that good looks and a strong physique could turn even a simple hospital gown into something fashionable.
"Are you concerned about me?" Alex suddenly turned his head to look at me, his eyes holding a hint of sarcasm.
I froze, surprised by his sudden question.
"Mm," I said, feigning indifference. Then, I added, "Aren't you hungry? You didn't eat anything?"
After all, he wasn't exactly sick, and he had assistants waiting on him all the time. He didn't need me looking after him. More importantly, if anyone was concerned about him, it certainly wasn't just me.
Alex studied me for a long moment, his face unreadable as his eyes locked on mine. That look made me feel strangely uncomfortable, like a weight was pressing down on my chest. My heart raced, and I wasn't sure what to do with my hands. I forced a smile, trying to appear casual.
"I've already eaten. You should go back now," Alex said slowly.
I narrowed my eyes, "I told you, I'm staying here for the next few days."
He raised an eyebrow, his gaze intense. A smirk played at the corners of his lips. "This is a hospital. What exactly are you trying to do?"
"I..." I wanted to say that I was just trying to protect him, but something didn't feel right. Alex had plenty of people to protect him, and he didn't need me for that. Staying in the hospital seemed like a way to stay close to the action, waiting for an opportunity.
"Are you trying to thank me for helping you find Marvin?" Alex's smile deepened, and he sighed. "I didn't realize your way of showing affection was so... interesting. If I didn't have self-control, I'd think you were..."
"I'm just trying to protect you," I quickly interrupted.
Alex looked away, letting out another deep sigh. "Isn't it a little too late to start worrying about my safety?"
"Forget it. Looks like you don't need my protection after all." I inhaled deeply and stood up, frustrated with his icy attitude. His arrogance was a far cry from the person I thought I knew.
Alex stayed silent for a moment, before suddenly asking, "Are you hungry?"
I shot him a sideways glance. Was he playing games now?
I almost turned to leave, but for some reason, his gaze seemed to hold me in place.
"Press the red button," Alex instructed.
Without thinking, I pressed the call button next to the bed.
Suddenly, his expression shifted, and he stared at me intently, his voice now filled with concern. "Are you feeling okay? Any discomfort?"
Alex sighed again. "I feel pain in my heart."
I paused for a second, confused. His injury was to his leg, not his heart. Why was he suddenly claiming heart problems?
Before I could ask further, a man dressed in a black suit entered the room instead of a nurse.
Alex asked, "What dishes are available tonight?"
The man replied, "We have meat, black beef, boiled prawns, and abalone steamed eggs."
Just hearing the names of the dishes made my mouth water.
Alex glanced at me again. "After you eat, you can leave."
I felt a tightness in my chest. He was clearly determined to get rid of me, almost as though he feared I'd tarnish his reputation.
I didn't speak, but he ordered two dishes for me—both of which I liked.
In that moment, I felt a surge of conflicting emotions. It wasn't that I didn't dislike Alex's attitude. But at least, despite everything, he had taken the time to get to know me, not just treating me like a mere object.
I wasn't just his shield. I realized that my existence was valuable in some way.
Alex married me to avoid family alliances, but more importantly, with a wife, he could keep those women at bay.
But I had also become a target for the Herrera family and those who sought to rise through him.
Suddenly, Alex asked, "Laurel, if you hadn't married me, would you have chosen Marvin?"
The room fell silent as my heart skipped a beat.