Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth!-Chapter 111: Newfound Family

Emma knowing she had been caught didn't know what else to do but then still shut her eyes not wanting to confirm their assumptions to them.

Too bad she couldn't stop her cheeks from flushing a crimson pink, confirming what they already knew to them.

"Ivy? Have you ever seen an unconscious blushing body?" he asked and Ivy giggled.

"This definitely has to be my first. Gosh! What a discovery!" Ivy said and Emma unable to keep up laughed even though it was a weak laugh.

"What? Did you hear that? She just laughed!" Alex said in amusement as he and Ivy watched as Emma's eyelids fluttered open.

Slowly as though she was hesitant.

Alex's breath caught as her eyes, those beautiful green eyes he had missed looking into, opened just a sliver, squinting against the soft hospital light.

She blinked, unfocused at first, then settled on him—his face so close, so full of relief that it almost hurt to look at. How could I have been pretending and hurting this man? Making him worry so much?

"Emma..." His voice was barely above a whisper, thick with emotion at finally seeing that she was indeed awake.

A shaky smile curved her lips, and before Alex could say another word, Ivy gasped from the corner of the room, breaking the quiet.

"So you were awake? For how long? How were you even able to keep up?" Ivy blurted, half in disbelief, half amused.

Emma's cheeks flushed a pale pink, her gaze shifting away from Alex's as she realized she'd have to explain why she was pretending now.

Alex, despite the emotional rollercoaster he'd just been through, let out a breath of relief that turned into a soft, incredulous chuckle. "You... were pretending to be unconscious! Why babe?"

Just at that moment, the door opened, and Chris and Claire stepped back into the room.

"She's been pretending?" they both said in perfect unison, halting in their tracks.

Emma let out a small, embarrassed groan and raised her free hand—the one not attached to the IV—to cover her face.

"I... I wasn't exactly pretending. You were the ones who didn't notice," she mumbled from behind her hand, voice muffled.

"Emma," Claire said, stepping closer with a half-worried, half-playful glare. "Why would you do that? We were so scared and worried. Is there something you're not telling us? Did something... happen when you were taken? Is there something you don't want to tell us about? Is that why you were pretending?"

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At those words, Alex's hand instinctively tightened around hers again, his whole body tensing.

Emma hesitated, eyes flicking between them all. She knew they deserved the truth—especially Alex. She drew in a slow, calming breath before lowering her hand from her face.

"That's not why. But they..... they did wanted to... to take advantage of me," she started, her voice breaking slightly. "But they didn't get the chance. You—" Her eyes locked with Alex's. "You all came just in time. You saved me."

Alex exhaled, his jaw clenching as he processed what she was saying. His grip on her hand never loosened, though his other hand curled into a fist at his side.

"Vanessa," he bit out, her name tasting like venom on his tongue. "What kind of monster is she? I swear if I get my hands on her—"

Emma's heartbeat spiked at the mention of Vanessa's name. Her eyes widened, and panic flickered across her face.

"What do you mean if? She's still out there?" Her voice trembled. "You... you didn't catch her?"

The room fell into a heavy silence. Claire shifted uncomfortably, while Chris looked down, jaw tight. Alex's expression softened, realizing his words had only added to her fear.

"Say something. She wasn't caught?" she asked again and Alex shook his head.

"No," he admitted, voice gentler now, brushing his thumb along her knuckles. "But you don't have to worry. We won't let her near you again. I won't let her near you again."

Chris nodded firmly. "You'll be guarded, Em. No one's going to hurt you."

Though the first two guards had lost their lives and made it almost impossible to caught Vanessa, they were still going to hire guards. This time more men and with better precautions.

Claire added, her voice soothing, "We're all here for you. She won't come near you again."

Emma swallowed, heart still pounding. She wanted to believe them. But fear had a way of lingering like a shadow, and Vanessa's cruelty and all those men had done to her was still fresh in her mind.

But then her gaze settled on Alex—the way he was looking at her, the quiet intensity of his promise.

It was enough. Even though she wasn't certain of the future, she was certain of the moment and it was enough.

She forced herself to breathe, her fingers curling a little tighter around his. "I know and I trust you."

The tension in the room lifted, if only a little. Ivy, who had been quiet, finally spoke again, her voice softer this time.

"Em.... I'm so sorry. For everything you had to go through. For not knowing earlier and for not being there." She moved closer, guilt evident on her face. "I'm sorry."

Emma gave a tired but genuine smile. "Ivy, don't. You couldn't have known. And you're here now. That's what matters."

Chris and Claire echoed similar sentiments, both offering soft words of comfort. Emma felt a sudden, overwhelming warmth in her chest.

Family. That's what this was.

The one she had always dreamt of having. People who genuinely cares for her.

But even as they comforted her, she could feel Alex's quiet brooding beside her. His hand still hadn't let go. His face still tense, like he was holding back something deeper.

Emma looked back at him, her eyes searching his.

"Alex?" she called, a frown creasing her brows. What was he thinking and why did he look like he was going to cry?

Alex blinked, as if pulled from his thoughts, and exhaled shakily.