novelraw Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Alexander stood in front of the bathroom mirror, a towel draped over his neck. He let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his face with his hands in an attempt to shake off the exhaustion he felt. He knew it wasn't caused by physical labor but rather his mind running wild, unable to settle.
As he stared at his reflection, his thoughts drifted back to a previous moment in time.
•••••~
Flashback
•••••~
Alexander pushed open the door to Camilla's hospital ward and found his mother and younger sister standing in tense silence. He stepped inside, casting a quick glance at his sister who avoided eye contact. Then, he turned to his mother.
"Mom... what are you doing here?" he asked cautiously, feeling a sense of apprehension as he looked at her.
His mother's brows furrowed in irritation. "What sort of question is that? Were you two planning on getting rid of my grandchild without even telling anyone?!" she demanded, her tone sharp. It was then that Alexander realized Isabel had spilled the beans.
He looked over at Camilla, who was staring back at him with a murderous glare.
Before Alexander could respond, Fernando, Alessia, and Camilla's grandmother entered the room, having overheard Harvey's last sentence. Alessia looked confused as she asked, "Who is getting rid of the child?" Her face showed her concern and confusion.
The tension in the room was palpable, and Alexander knew he had to explain the situation. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Mom, that's not it," he said, pausing to make eye contact with her.
"No one is getting rid of anything. Camilla and I were just discussing some options." Despite the rising tension in the room, he managed to keep his voice calm as he looked around at the others present.
As no one else spoke, Camilla's grandmother stepped in to ease the tension in the room. With gentle concern, she asked, "What options are those, dear?"
Alexander appeared taken aback by the question and hesitated to reply. But before long, Camilla spoke up in a quiet voice, "Termination of the pregnancy."
"I have already made the decision," Camilla added firmly, putting an end to any further discussion.
The room was filled with gasps from everyone except for Alexander, who stared intently. Isabel looked mortified, realizing the problem she had caused, while Alexander's mother, Harvey had an "I-told-you-so" expression on her face.
The situation quickly escalated, with a barrage of voices, questions, accusations, and arguments filling the room. The doctor had to intervene and lead everyone out, so as not to disturb Camilla.
•••••~
Flashback ends
•••••~
After that incident, Camilla refused to see or speak with him. Alexander let out a deep exhale, gazing at his reflection in the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time. He took the towel from around his neck and wiped his face, hoping to release the frustration that had been building up inside him.
Upon exiting the bathroom, Alexander noticed his phone ringing on the bed. He groaned inwardly, already knowing who it was. Isabel had been calling him non-stop since the hospital incident, and he had been avoiding her calls.
Feeling the need to put an end to her persistent attempts to reach him, Alexander picked up the phone and switched on the speaker. He then walked over to the dressing mirror to apply some cream as they conversed.
Isabel's voice crackled through the speaker as she greeted, "Hello?" However, Alexander's cold tone mirrored the chilly reception as he retorted, "Yes, why are you calling me?"
Clearly, Isabel was taken aback by Alexander's frigid response, causing her to sigh before pleading, "You know why, Alexander. Please don't act like you don't."
Alexander maintained his silence, which urged Isabel to proceed. "I apologize. I didn't consider your or Camilla's emotions or whether you were ready to share the news with the rest of the family. I assumed that because you shared it with me, everyone else should be informed as well."
Alexander responded with a hum, uncertain whether he should forgive his sister for her actions, which resulted in him and Camilla no longer communicating or meeting each other. "So what's next?" he inquired, anticipating Isabel to complete the thought.
"And now I genuinely regret it, and I am deeply sorry. You know that I'm not a presumptuous person. I don't know what came over me, and I would appreciate it if you could assist me in apologizing to Camilla as well."
Alexander let out a sigh, recognizing that his sister's remorse was sincere. "It's okay... I forgive you," he replied.
Isabel was visibly relieved as she exclaimed, "Truly?! Thank you so much. You have no idea how much of a burden you just lifted off me."
Alexander chuckled and said, "Yeah, I should get going now. I need to hurry to the office."
Isabel understood that their conversation was coming to a close, and responded in a friendly tone, "Sure, talk to you later. Bye!" She sounded excited before Alexander replied with a simple "Bye," and the call ended.
Once the call was over, Alexander quickly returned to dressing up. He picked out a perfectly fitted charcoal grey suit from his closet, paired it with a crisp white shirt, and added a black tie to complete the professional look.
He took a moment to meticulously style his dark brown hair into a sleek, slicked-back hairstyle, leaving two strands hanging down in a stylish yet effortless manner.
Next, he slipped into his polished black leather Oxford shoes and headed out of the room.
As he descended the stairs, he was greeted by a breathtaking woman seated elegantly on one of the couches in the living room, dressed in a simple yet stunning gown and waiting patiently for him.
As he approached her, his eyes scanned her appearance as if he couldn't believe she was really there. He admired her deep navy blue gown that complemented her striking grey eyes perfectly.
She noticed his gaze and stood up, allowing her dress to flow into a graceful A-line skirt that grazed the floor. Alexander had the opportunity to take in her appearance from head to toe, admiring the sweetheart neckline and the way the dress fit her curves.
She looked stunning with her hair styled into a sleek ponytail, and a few loose strands framing her face, giving her an effortless yet chic look.
Alexander's eyes widened in shock as he stared at her, his heart racing. "Camilla?" he muttered, barely able to believe that she was really there in front of him.