Love by the Contract

Chapter 63

Emma’s feet felt heavy as she walked back into the hospital lobby. The words Alex had just spoken in the cold night air echoed in her mind, refusing to settle. “I made a mistake… I thought I was doing the right thing.” The rawness in his voice, the vulnerability in his eyes—it all clashed with her anger and hurt, leaving her more confused than ever.

Thomas kept pace beside her, his protective energy steady but tense. He hadn’t said much after Alex’s plea, his silence signaling his desire to let Emma process. As they entered the lobby’s warm fluorescent glow, she stopped, letting out a deep breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

“You okay?” Thomas asked, his tone careful.

Emma glanced at him, offering a weak nod. “I’m not sure what to feel right now,” she admitted. “He sounded so… sincere. But how am I supposed to trust anything he says after what he’s done?”

Thomas’s expression hardened slightly. “You’re not obligated to forgive him, Emma. Don’t let his words cloud what’s important right now: you and the twins.”

Emma rubbed her temples, the weight of the day pressing down on her. “I know. But I can’t ignore him, either. He’s still their father. If there’s even a chance he’s being genuine, I need to hear him out… for their sake.”

Thomas hesitated, then nodded. “If that’s what you want, I’ll support you. But I’ll stick around, just in case.”

Grateful for his understanding, Emma gave him a small, appreciative smile. “Thanks, Thomas. For everything.”

Alex stood outside the coffee shop across from the hospital, his hands shoved deep into his coat pockets. He looked up as Emma approached, his posture shifting nervously. She stopped a few feet away, her arms crossed protectively over her chest.

“You wanted to talk,” Emma said, her tone neutral but edged with caution. “I’m here. So talk.”

Alex’s shoulders slumped slightly, as if the weight of his words were already pulling him down. “Thank you,” he began, his voice soft. “Thank you for giving me this chance. I know I don’t deserve it, not after the way I… handled things.”

Emma’s jaw tightened, but she stayed silent, letting him continue.

“I thought filing for divorce was the right thing to do,” Alex admitted, his eyes pleading for understanding. “Not because I wanted to end things, but because I thought it would give you what you needed. Freedom. A clean slate. I thought I was doing something selfless, but I see now how selfish it really was.”

Emma’s brows furrowed. “You thought divorce would help me?” she asked, incredulous. “Alex, do you hear how ridiculous that sounds? You didn’t even talk to me. You made a decision for both of us without asking how I felt.”

“I know,” Alex said quickly. “I know I was wrong. I let my fear take over. I was scared I was failing you, failing the twins… I thought stepping back would make things easier for you, but all I did was make it worse. I… I hate myself for it, Emma.”

Emma’s chest tightened at the raw emotion in his voice. As much as she wanted to stay angry, she couldn’t ignore the pain in his eyes. But anger still simmered beneath her sympathy.

“You should hate yourself for it,” she said bluntly. “Do you have any idea how much you hurt me? Hurt us? While I was sitting in a waiting room praying for our son to survive, you were handing me divorce papers. Do you know what that felt like?”

Alex’s head dipped, shame flooding his face. “I can’t take it back,” he said, his voice breaking. “I wish I could, but I can’t. All I can do is try to make it right. Please, Emma. Give me a chance to prove I can be better… for you and for the twins.”

Emma closed her eyes, her emotions warring within her. She wanted to believe him, to believe that his words weren’t just another mistake in a string of bad decisions. But trust wasn’t something she could summon on command, not after everything he’d done.

“This isn’t about words anymore, Alex,” she said finally, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her chest. “If you want to prove yourself, you’re going to have to show me. Actions, not apologies.”

Alex nodded, his expression resolute. “I will. Whatever it takes.”

Before Emma could respond, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, her heart sinking as she saw the hospital’s number. Anxiety gripped her as she answered.

“Ms. Barrett?” the nurse’s voice said, calm but professional. “I’m calling about your daughter. Her oxygen levels have dropped, and the doctors are working to stabilize her. We need you back in the NICU immediately.”

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