The next day, Serena was finally able to leave the hospital.
"Put down. I can walk on my own." Serena protested when Alexander scooped her into his arms.
"Shh." He placed a finger on her lips. "I want to carry you. Allow to do this."
Seeing his serious expression, Serena had no other option than to be quiet.
Suddenly, her eyes brightened as a thought flashed through her mind.
"I have carried out the discharge procedures if that’s what you want to ask." Alexander read her expression, and answered before she could ask her question.
Serena pouted as she glared at him.
"Don’t give that look. You are still weak. And the doctor said you should be watched at all tis."
"He didn’t ntion carrying ." Serena fired back.
"It is still the sa thing." Alexander rebutted.
The couple exchanged words till they reached the parking lot. Nurses and patients watched them with admiration. The won wished they had a partner like Alexander while the n wished that their partners could bring them joy just as Serena did to Alexander.
Unfortunately, the couple in question had no idea that they had already beco the center of attraction.
"You are annoying." Serena snorted as soon as he placed her into the passenger’s seat.
"You didn’t say this when you agreed to be in a relationship with ." Alexander teased.
Serena’s eyes widened.
"You..." she trailed off when Alexander walked away.
------------------
When they arrived ho, Alexander still carried Serena into his arms. This ti, Serena didn’t protest but she let him carry him.
"You do know you are light in my arms." Alexander remarked. "You are too thin."
Serena glared at him. "What do you an thin? I’m 67kg, do you expect to weigh more?"
"Yes," Alexander repeated, completely serious. "At least seventy-five. Preferably eighty."
Serena gasped dramatically. "Eighty? Do you want to roll around instead of walking with ?"
"I wouldn’t mind," he replied calmly. "As long as you’re healthy."
She slapped his chest lightly. "You’re impossible."
"And yet," he said, carrying her into the living room with ease, "you’re still in my arms."
He lowered her gently onto the couch, but instead of stepping away, he leaned down, caging her in. Serena raised an eyebrow. "What now? A lecture on nutrition?"
"A proposal," he corrected.
Her eyes widened. "Alexander—"
"Daily als. Three tis a day. No skipping breakfast. No surviving on coffee," he ticked them off on his fingers. "And I’ll personally supervise."
Serena scoffed. "You sound like my doctor."
"I pay your doctor," he replied smoothly. "So technically, I outrank him."
She laughed despite herself. "You’re abusing your power."
"Absolutely," he admitted without sha. "And I’m just getting started."
Serena crossed her arms. "What if I refuse?"
Alexander straightened, pretending to think. "Then I’ll carry you to the dining table every morning until you give in."
Her lips twitched. "You wouldn’t dare."
He bent down and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. "Try ."
She sighed, defeated but smiling. "You’re unbelievable."
"You love it," he said confidently.
She rolled her eyes but reached out, tugging him closer by his sleeve. "Maybe a little."
Alexander’s expression softened instantly. He brushed a thumb over her cheek. "Good. Because I’m not letting you disappear on . Ever."
For a mont, the teasing faded into sothing warr, steadier.
Serena leaned into him, resting her head against his chest. "Then I guess I’ll have to eat properly."
"That’s my girl," he said smugly.
She pinched his side. "Don’t push your luck."
He laughed, the sound filling the room.
Alexander straightened and loosened his tie, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt with practiced ease. Serena watched him from the couch, her chin resting on her palm.
"What are you doing now?" she asked suspiciously.
"Making sure you eat," he replied without looking at her. "You’ve been through enough. I won’t add hunger to the list."
Serena scoffed. "You sound like you’re preparing for battle."
"I am," he said calmly. "Against your bad habits."
She chuckled. "You talk as if you know so well."
Alexander turned to face her, one brow raised. "I know enough. You forget als when you’re stressed. You pretend you’re fine when you’re not. And you hate asking for help."
Serena blinked, montarily caught off guard. "That’s... oddly accurate."
"I pay attention," he said simply.
She looked away, suddenly shy. "You don’t have to do all this."
He walked over, crouching in front of her. "I want to."
There was no teasing in his tone now. Instead, it was filled with sincerity.
Serena swallowed, then smiled softly. "Then at least let help."
"You’re helping by sitting still," he replied, gently tapping her knee. "Doctor’s orders."
She rolled her eyes. "You enjoy bossing around too much."
"And you enjoy pretending you don’t like it," he countered.
She laughed, the sound light and genuine. "You’re impossible." She really hadn’t felt this... serene in a long ti.
"Still here," he reminded her.
A comfortable silence followed as Alexander moved back to the kitchen. The sound of light cooking filled the house, and Serena found herself relaxing against the couch cushions.
For the first ti in a long while, her mind wasn’t racing. She felt calm and peaceful within.
A few minutes later, Alexander returned with a tray.
"Soup?" Serena asked skeptically.
"Don’t look at it like that," he said. "It’s warm. And you need it."
She took a spoonful, then paused. "This is actually good."
He smirked. "I have many hidden talents. You’ll get to know more as ti passes."
She eyed him thoughtfully. "You really don’t plan on letting out of your sight today, do you? Aren’t you ant to be at the office?"
"No," he answered without hesitation. "I’m not going today, not after what happened yesterday. I’ll feel restless without you by my side." He had a determined expression.
Her teasing expression softened. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being here," she said quietly.
Alexander reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "There’s nowhere else I’d rather be."
Serena smiled, leaning into his touch.
And for now, that was enough.
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