My CEO HUSBAND:sign Chapter 76 - Seventy six: family court

Chapter 76: Chapter Seventy six: family court

Lilian’s suffering had been caused by him—her severe depression, her repeated suicide attempts. He had once promised her he would always be there, that he would never leave. He couldn’t break that promise.

But Alicia... even after the separation, she would still have Nana and the rest of the family—people who genuinely cared about her. Perhaps, after the divorce, she might even find happiness.

Lilian, on the other hand, had no one left but him. If he walked away, she would fall apart.

Between the two, he could only choose to hurt Alicia.

Alexander closed his eyes briefly, then turned to look at Alicia in the car. Taking out his phone, he finally dialed Maria’s number.

"Maria, I forgot the folder. It’s on the table. Can you bring it to the Family Court? We’re waiting at the entrance—please hurry."

Maria replied almost imdiately, "Okay, sir."

After ending the call, Alexander returned to the car.

"Maria got caught in traffic and had to take a detour. She should be here soon," he said.

"Okay."

"Alicia," he called suddenly.

"Mm?" She turned toward him.

"After we divorce... will you marry him?"

She paused for a mont before realizing he ant Aiden.

"Maybe," she answered softly.

"Maybe..." he repeated, his voice low but sincere. "Then I wish you happiness—being with the one you love, growing old together, living a peaceful life."

His words made Alicia’s throat tighten. She quickly turned away, managing only a quiet, "Mm."

She could never wish him happiness with Lilian.

He truly didn’t love her—that was why he could say such things so easily. What he didn’t know was that once the divorce was finalized, he would get exactly what he wanted—marrying the woman he loved and living the life he had always dread of.

As for her... she would walk away from everything, leaving behind the happiness she once hoped for.

"Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood," Jim’s voice ca as he knocked lightly on the car window. "Maria is here."

"Got it." Alexander and Alicia stepped out of the car.

Maria quickly walked up to them and handed Alexander a folder. "Mr. Blackwood, I brought it."

"Thank you," he replied softly.

He then turned to Alicia, stepped closer, and took her hand. "Let’s go. Watch your step."

"Mm." She simply nodded, saying nothing more.

His hand was still warm and steady, holding hers tightly. Alicia couldn’t help but think back to those winter days when they would leave work together—he would always take her hand first, then slip it into his pocket to keep it warm.

A sudden wave of emotion surged through her. Her lips trembled, and her heart churned with turmoil.

Two years ago, they had walked side by side into the Family Court to get married. Now, two years later, they were entering the sa place hand in hand—but this ti, for a divorce.

This would be the last ti they could openly hold each other’s hands. After today, they would no longer be husband and wife. From then on, they would go their separate ways. Alexander would marry the woman he loved and grow old with her, while Alicia would leave everything behind and embrace her freedom.

Jim and Maria exchanged a glance, both letting out a quiet sigh.

Alexander and Alicia walked into the Family Court lobby.

A staff mber greeted them. Seeing the elegant couple, the receptionist smiled and gestured toward the marriage counter. "Please go over there to fill out the marriage forms."

"We’re here for a divorce," Alexander said flatly.

The receptionist froze for a mont, then pointed to another window. "For a divorce, please go over there."

Still holding Alicia’s hand, Alexander led her in that direction.

The receptionist remained puzzled. It was her first ti seeing a couple so calm and composed about a divorce—it was truly unusual.

"The line’s long. Let’s sit over there and wait for a bit," Alexander said.

"Okay," Alicia nodded.

Alicia’s POV

Since I couldn’t pass the ti on my phone, I started listening to the conversations around . On the marriage side, couples spoke softly, filled with warmth. But on the divorce side, it was the complete opposite—argunts, accusations, and raised voices filled the air. So couples even changed their minds halfway, suddenly deciding not to divorce after all. Everything felt chaotic.

Couples like us, quietly going through a divorce, were rare.

Suddenly, Alexander’s phone rang. He pulled it out and answered, "Hello, Uncle Steve?"

"Alexander, you and Alicia need to co to the hospital imdiately. Mum collapsed. Her condition is critical—they’re trying to resuscitate her. Dr. Harrison says it’s not looking good."

I was close enough to hear every word.

The color drained from Alexander’s face, his chest trembling. "Alright. We’re on our way."

He grabbed my hand and pulled

outside.

"What’s going on?" I asked, panic creeping into my voice.

"Uncle Steve said Nana collapsed. She’s in critical condition, and they’re resuscitating her."

"What? We need to get to the hospital now!"

At that mont, the divorce didn’t matter anymore. Compared to Nana, it was nothing. The divorce could wait—her life couldn’t.

"Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood, are you done already?" Jim asked.

"No. We need to get to the hospital right now. Nana collapsed."

As he spoke, Alexander opened the car door for , helped

inside, then quickly got in after .

Jim’s expression turned grim. Without another word, he started the car and sped toward the hospital.

St. Victoria dical Center

Alexander pulled

along as we hurried toward the operating room.

"Aunt, Uncle, how’s Nana? How long has she been inside?"

"About an hour," Uncle Steve replied.

Alexander clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

"Don’t worry, Sister Alicia. Nana will be fine," Grace said softly—then suddenly frowned when she noticed my forehead. "What happened to your head?"

Her voice drew Aunt’s attention. She quickly walked over, concern written all over her face. "Alicia, what happened? You look so pale."

"It’s nothing serious. You don’t have to worry," I said, but they were already guiding

to a seat.

"You should take better care of yourself, Alicia," Aunt said gently.

"It’s really nothing—just a scratch." I forced a smile, though it felt more painful than crying.

I couldn’t stop the fear rising in my chest. The last ti I saw Nana, she was perfectly fine. How could everything change so suddenly?

I couldn’t accept it.

We waited outside the operating room for another two hours.

As ti dragged on, everyone’s expressions grew heavier. The sky had long turned dark.

Uncle Steve finally looked at Alexander. "Waiting like this won’t help. Alicia is injured. Why don’t you both go back? We’ll call you once Mum is out of surgery."

I imdiately shook my head. "No. I’m not leaving. I want to stay here and wait."

I held onto Aunt’s arm tightly. "Uncle, I have to be here when Nana cos out. No matter what happens, I want to see her first."

"It’s okay, Uncle. We’ll stay," Alexander added firmly.

Seeing our determination, Uncle Steve didn’t argue further.

Another two hours passed before the operating room doors finally opened.

We all stood up at once—Alexander, Uncle, Aunt, Grace, and I—gathering near the door, anxiously waiting for the doctor.

"Dr. Harrison, how’s my grandmother?" Alexander asked imdiately, his voice hoarse with a faint tremor.

My eyes were red as I stared at the doctor, my hands clasped tightly in silent prayer.

Dr. Harrison removed his mask and spoke calmly. "The surgery was successful. She’ll need to be monitored in the ICU for the next two days. If everything goes well, she’ll be moved to a general ward."

The weight pressing on my chest finally lifted. A smile broke through as tears slipped down my face without

realizing.

"Thank you so much, Dr. Harrison," Uncle said, his voice filled with relief.

Nana was soon wheeled into the ICU.

I looked at her lying on the bed, my heart aching. She looked so fragile, as though all her strength had been drained away. Just a few days ago, she had been having tea with , smiling like always. How had everything changed so quickly?