The Ex Who Became His Obsession - Chapter 33: Chapter 33
You are reading The Ex Who Became His Obsession, Chapter 33: Chapter 33. Read more chapters of The Ex Who Became His Obsession.
Milena leaned over Leonard's bed, holding a bowl of soup in both hands. She lifted the spoon to his lips and said with a sugary smile, "Come on, Leon, just one more bite."
As she said it, her eyes flicked toward Alyssia on the opposite bed, her brows arching with smug challenge.
Alyssia seethed inwardly. 'What a perfect scene. I wake up feeling like hell just in time to witness their lovefest.'
"How are you feeling?" Leonard's gaze landed on her like a weight. He raised his hand and brushed Milena's wrist aside, knocking away the spoon and her sweetness.
Alyssia looked around. She noticed it was a private VIP suite. Leonard lay on the main bed, front and center. She, on the other hand, was stuck on a narrow bed across the room.
Something cool tingled on the back of her hand. She glanced down and saw an IV drip.
Joseph was sitting quietly next to her. When he saw her looking around, he leaned in and spoke in a hushed voice, "Ms. Clairmont, you collapsed outside. Mr. Rivera carried you all the way here himself..."
The heavy emphasis in his tone practically screamed that she should be grateful.
But Alyssia ignored his words, thinking, 'Collapsed? It's all thanks to him. If Leonard hadn't shown up just to pick a fight out of nowhere, I'd probably have already passed the side effects and be back on my feet.'
Alyssia reached up and touched her forehead, which was still warm.
Her throat was burning, and just swallowing felt like dragging glass down her windpipe.
"Ms. Clairmont, the doctor said you had a reaction to the drug, plus physical exhaustion. It triggered a few side effects, but with rest, you'll recover just fine," Joseph continued, doing his best to sound professional.
As he spoke, he cast a nervous glance at Leonard.
Leonard's brows were drawn into a tight frown, like even Alyssia's breathing was testing his patience.
Joseph quickly looked away, his heart thudding.
Actually, Leonard's mood had soured the second Milena walked through that door.
What Joseph didn't dare say out loud was that before Milena showed up, Leonard had been sitting right here holding Alyssia in his arms. He didn't let go even while the doctors checked her, even when they set the IV for her.
Leonard finally broke the silence. "Since Milena's here too, we might as well clear the air."
Everyone in the room turned their gazes toward Leonard when those words left his lips.
He spoke up, "There's nothing going on between me and Milena. Whatever you wrote, it's not true. So you need to issue a public apology to her.
"I don't care what people think about me, but Milena is a public figure. A scandal like this could damage her career."
Alyssia turned her head away, trying not to laugh out loud.
She scoffed inwardly, 'You should really take a good look at yourselves right now. You're sitting back against the pillows, and Milena's practically draped over your side.
'Her arm's resting right next to yours, and you've got the nerve to say what I wrote wasn't true?'
Alyssia kept her silence, her eyes fixed on the wall. Leonard took that as a sign of compliance and kept going. "As for your job, you're still in the probation period. I'll have Rocco notify them that you quit."
Alyssia snapped her head toward Leonard, her eyes wide with disbelief and the beginnings of real anger.
Leonard caught the shift in her expression instantly. His eyes turned cloudy as he asked, "Just look at you. Do you honestly think you're in any state to keep working?"
"Oh?" Alyssia said coolly with a smirk. "What's my state now?"
Leonard knew that she was provoking him on purpose. He thought, 'There she goes again. Playing sweet and harmless on the surface, while secretly reeling in the bait, daring me to bite.'
If it were someone else, Leonard wouldn't even give them a damn. But each time Alyssia tried to provoke him, he just couldn't help but take the bait.
Leonard added, "Your first article was made up of lies, and now you nearly got yourself raped while chasing a story."
The doctor handed Leonard Alyssia's bloodwork results. For a split second, Leonard barely held back the urge to put a bullet through Archer's head.
He thought, 'If I hadn't shown up in time, would she have just grabbed some random guy off the street and...'
He sighed, "The Rivera family raised you. Even if you won't take responsibility for yourself, at least think about my parents."
Everyone in my family cherishes her more than they ever care about me, their real son. And this is how she repays them—treating herself like she's worthless, spitting on the people who truly care for her,' Leonard thought bitterly.
The ward fell into an oppressive silence.
After what felt like forever, Alyssia finally looked up. "Mr. Rivera, I'm grateful that the Rivera family raised me. I appreciate the years of your kindness. But what my parents did for your family... Well, I'd say we're even now."
It was the first time Alyssia had ever brought up her parents's sacrifices for the Rivera family. She used to tread so carefully, terrified that mentioning it would make people accuse her of using old debts to force Leonard to marry her.
But now, when she finally said it out, it was to cut herself off from the Riveras completely.
"The Rivera family gave me a lot, more than enough to repay what my parents did." Her voice was soft, but to Leonard, every word landed like a knife.
She added, "So from now on, I'll take care of myself. I'm an adult. However hard the road ahead may be, it's one I have to walk on my own."
After speaking, Alyssia yanked the IV out of her hand. Blood beaded and dripped onto the stark white sheets.
She said firmly, "You think I was spreading lies? Then sue me, go right ahead. I'm a journalist, and I own what I write. As for everything else, don't bother worrying about me."
She turned to leave the room, only to be blocked. With Leonard sitting there in silence, no one dared let her pass.
Milena said sweetly, "Leon, just don't be mad. Your family has looked after Alyssia so well these years. I can understand that she tries to see the world and prove her ability."
She turned to Alyssia with gentle eyes. "Alyssia, the doctor said Leon can't get upset. Can you stop being so headstrong? Don't upset him anymore, okay?"
Alyssia didn't reply but just looked at Milena, thinking, 'This woman is really a master manipulator. The whole accident today was her doing, yet she is acting like an innocent peacekeeper with a heart of gold.'
Back in the day, Alyssia would've swallowed her tears, accusing Milena of her sins to Leonard and begging him to bring her justice.
But now, she knew that whatever justice she craved would never come.
Alyssia would tear Milena's act apart one day, but not by leaning on a man.
She knew all too well that the only one she could count on was always herself.
She stepped back into the room and asked Joseph, "Where's my bag?"
Joseph scrambled to fetch it for her.
Alyssia took it, checked inside, and breathed a quiet sigh of relief when she saw everything was still there.
Since Leonard didn't allow her to leave, she just sat down on the bed. Under his stormy gaze, she started organizing her things.
Milena, on the other hand, never stopped talking. "Leon, it's time for your meds. How about an apple? The doctor said you can have a little now.
"Leon, look, these are a few of the new scripts I've received lately. Which one do you think suits me best?"
Every now and then, Leonard would reply, and Milena would let out a laugh, her face shy and sparkling with pride. "Yeah, I'll listen to your suggestion."
Alyssia acted like she didn't hear a thing. She was surprised to find her heart wasn't breaking. In fact, it felt stronger than ever.
She pulled out her phone and turned to Joseph. "Got a charger?"
Joseph looked nervously over at Leonard.
There was only one, and it was with Leonard. Since Leonard stayed silent, Joseph didn't dare move.
Alyssia followed Joseph's glance and understood instantly. She lowered her head and went back to her own business, saying nothing more.
"Get it yourself," Leonard said in a cool tone.
Alyssia didn't reply, as if she hadn't heard him.
Leonard's face turned grim almost immediately.
Milena stood up, trying to smooth things over. "I'll bring it to her."
"What are you bringing over?" came a crisp, teasing voice from the doorway.
Beatrice strolled in with a grin. "Oh, I was only away for one day, and now the room turned into a shared suite?"
Trailing right behind Beatrice was none other than Charlie.
As she said it, her eyes flicked toward Alyssia on the opposite bed, her brows arching with smug challenge.
Alyssia seethed inwardly. 'What a perfect scene. I wake up feeling like hell just in time to witness their lovefest.'
"How are you feeling?" Leonard's gaze landed on her like a weight. He raised his hand and brushed Milena's wrist aside, knocking away the spoon and her sweetness.
Alyssia looked around. She noticed it was a private VIP suite. Leonard lay on the main bed, front and center. She, on the other hand, was stuck on a narrow bed across the room.
Something cool tingled on the back of her hand. She glanced down and saw an IV drip.
Joseph was sitting quietly next to her. When he saw her looking around, he leaned in and spoke in a hushed voice, "Ms. Clairmont, you collapsed outside. Mr. Rivera carried you all the way here himself..."
The heavy emphasis in his tone practically screamed that she should be grateful.
But Alyssia ignored his words, thinking, 'Collapsed? It's all thanks to him. If Leonard hadn't shown up just to pick a fight out of nowhere, I'd probably have already passed the side effects and be back on my feet.'
Alyssia reached up and touched her forehead, which was still warm.
Her throat was burning, and just swallowing felt like dragging glass down her windpipe.
"Ms. Clairmont, the doctor said you had a reaction to the drug, plus physical exhaustion. It triggered a few side effects, but with rest, you'll recover just fine," Joseph continued, doing his best to sound professional.
As he spoke, he cast a nervous glance at Leonard.
Leonard's brows were drawn into a tight frown, like even Alyssia's breathing was testing his patience.
Joseph quickly looked away, his heart thudding.
Actually, Leonard's mood had soured the second Milena walked through that door.
What Joseph didn't dare say out loud was that before Milena showed up, Leonard had been sitting right here holding Alyssia in his arms. He didn't let go even while the doctors checked her, even when they set the IV for her.
Leonard finally broke the silence. "Since Milena's here too, we might as well clear the air."
Everyone in the room turned their gazes toward Leonard when those words left his lips.
He spoke up, "There's nothing going on between me and Milena. Whatever you wrote, it's not true. So you need to issue a public apology to her.
"I don't care what people think about me, but Milena is a public figure. A scandal like this could damage her career."
Alyssia turned her head away, trying not to laugh out loud.
She scoffed inwardly, 'You should really take a good look at yourselves right now. You're sitting back against the pillows, and Milena's practically draped over your side.
'Her arm's resting right next to yours, and you've got the nerve to say what I wrote wasn't true?'
Alyssia kept her silence, her eyes fixed on the wall. Leonard took that as a sign of compliance and kept going. "As for your job, you're still in the probation period. I'll have Rocco notify them that you quit."
Alyssia snapped her head toward Leonard, her eyes wide with disbelief and the beginnings of real anger.
Leonard caught the shift in her expression instantly. His eyes turned cloudy as he asked, "Just look at you. Do you honestly think you're in any state to keep working?"
"Oh?" Alyssia said coolly with a smirk. "What's my state now?"
Leonard knew that she was provoking him on purpose. He thought, 'There she goes again. Playing sweet and harmless on the surface, while secretly reeling in the bait, daring me to bite.'
If it were someone else, Leonard wouldn't even give them a damn. But each time Alyssia tried to provoke him, he just couldn't help but take the bait.
Leonard added, "Your first article was made up of lies, and now you nearly got yourself raped while chasing a story."
The doctor handed Leonard Alyssia's bloodwork results. For a split second, Leonard barely held back the urge to put a bullet through Archer's head.
He thought, 'If I hadn't shown up in time, would she have just grabbed some random guy off the street and...'
He sighed, "The Rivera family raised you. Even if you won't take responsibility for yourself, at least think about my parents."
Everyone in my family cherishes her more than they ever care about me, their real son. And this is how she repays them—treating herself like she's worthless, spitting on the people who truly care for her,' Leonard thought bitterly.
The ward fell into an oppressive silence.
After what felt like forever, Alyssia finally looked up. "Mr. Rivera, I'm grateful that the Rivera family raised me. I appreciate the years of your kindness. But what my parents did for your family... Well, I'd say we're even now."
It was the first time Alyssia had ever brought up her parents's sacrifices for the Rivera family. She used to tread so carefully, terrified that mentioning it would make people accuse her of using old debts to force Leonard to marry her.
But now, when she finally said it out, it was to cut herself off from the Riveras completely.
"The Rivera family gave me a lot, more than enough to repay what my parents did." Her voice was soft, but to Leonard, every word landed like a knife.
She added, "So from now on, I'll take care of myself. I'm an adult. However hard the road ahead may be, it's one I have to walk on my own."
After speaking, Alyssia yanked the IV out of her hand. Blood beaded and dripped onto the stark white sheets.
She said firmly, "You think I was spreading lies? Then sue me, go right ahead. I'm a journalist, and I own what I write. As for everything else, don't bother worrying about me."
She turned to leave the room, only to be blocked. With Leonard sitting there in silence, no one dared let her pass.
Milena said sweetly, "Leon, just don't be mad. Your family has looked after Alyssia so well these years. I can understand that she tries to see the world and prove her ability."
She turned to Alyssia with gentle eyes. "Alyssia, the doctor said Leon can't get upset. Can you stop being so headstrong? Don't upset him anymore, okay?"
Alyssia didn't reply but just looked at Milena, thinking, 'This woman is really a master manipulator. The whole accident today was her doing, yet she is acting like an innocent peacekeeper with a heart of gold.'
Back in the day, Alyssia would've swallowed her tears, accusing Milena of her sins to Leonard and begging him to bring her justice.
But now, she knew that whatever justice she craved would never come.
Alyssia would tear Milena's act apart one day, but not by leaning on a man.
She knew all too well that the only one she could count on was always herself.
She stepped back into the room and asked Joseph, "Where's my bag?"
Joseph scrambled to fetch it for her.
Alyssia took it, checked inside, and breathed a quiet sigh of relief when she saw everything was still there.
Since Leonard didn't allow her to leave, she just sat down on the bed. Under his stormy gaze, she started organizing her things.
Milena, on the other hand, never stopped talking. "Leon, it's time for your meds. How about an apple? The doctor said you can have a little now.
"Leon, look, these are a few of the new scripts I've received lately. Which one do you think suits me best?"
Every now and then, Leonard would reply, and Milena would let out a laugh, her face shy and sparkling with pride. "Yeah, I'll listen to your suggestion."
Alyssia acted like she didn't hear a thing. She was surprised to find her heart wasn't breaking. In fact, it felt stronger than ever.
She pulled out her phone and turned to Joseph. "Got a charger?"
Joseph looked nervously over at Leonard.
There was only one, and it was with Leonard. Since Leonard stayed silent, Joseph didn't dare move.
Alyssia followed Joseph's glance and understood instantly. She lowered her head and went back to her own business, saying nothing more.
"Get it yourself," Leonard said in a cool tone.
Alyssia didn't reply, as if she hadn't heard him.
Leonard's face turned grim almost immediately.
Milena stood up, trying to smooth things over. "I'll bring it to her."
"What are you bringing over?" came a crisp, teasing voice from the doorway.
Beatrice strolled in with a grin. "Oh, I was only away for one day, and now the room turned into a shared suite?"
Trailing right behind Beatrice was none other than Charlie.
End of The Ex Who Became His Obsession Chapter 33. Continue reading Chapter 34 or return to The Ex Who Became His Obsession book page.