Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth!-Chapter 112: Dr. Knight

"I'm just so glad you're awake," he whispered, his voice raw with honesty. "I... I've been so lost these past hours. I—" He shook his head, closing his eyes for a moment as if to gather himself. When they opened again, they were glossy with unshed emotion.

"Don't ever scare me like that again. Do you hear me? Don't leave the house without telling me or Claire or anyone. I can't— I'm not sure I would survive losing you, Emma. If I have to search the ends of the earth for you again... I don't think I'll make it."

Emma's breath hitched, her own heart aching at his words.

Forgetting the others in the room, she reached up with her trembling hand to cup his face, her thumb brushing the corner of his lips.

"I'm right here," she whispered. "I'm not going anywhere. And I won't make you find me again. That's my promise to you," she said looking deep into his gray eyes.

There was a collective "aww" from Claire, Ivy, and Chris, but Emma didn't care. She didn't even hear them.

This moment wasn't for them. It was for her... and her love for Alex. It was for the future she and Alex were going to be having.

The warmth in Alex's eyes, his comforting presence, his silent promises, and his reassurances, all seemed to make her inner fear about Vanessa still being out there, not feel so overwhelming anymore.

Claire, blinking back her own tears, cleared her throat with a teasing smile. "So, um... was that the confession you were avoiding earlier, Emma? The reason you were pretending to be asleep?"

Emma laughed softly, her cheeks blooming with warmth. She nodded, then looked back at Alex with renewed confidence.

"Yes... but I'm done hiding now. I love you, Alex. I've loved you for a while. And I'm not going to waste another second holding back."

Alex's expression softened completely, and his lips curved into a tender smile. He leaned closer, resting his forehead gently against hers.

"I love you too, Emma. More than you'll ever know."

And as they stayed there, wrapped in the quiet beauty of finally spoken truths, the past felt just a little farther away.

Because they had each other. And that was enough.

"Since she's awake, I should go get the doctor to check on her and also tell us when she can leave," Alex said breaking the little silence that had settled over them.

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"Yes, please," Claire said and Alex nodded before going to get the doctor.

A short while later, Alex and the doctor stepped inside, a clipboard tucked under his arm. His calm, professional demeanor filled the room as he approached Emma's bedside, offering a reassuring smile.

"Good evening, Mrs Sterling. I'm glad to see you awake. How are you feeling?"

Emma shifted slightly, glancing toward Alex. "A little tired... but better."

The doctor nodded, checking the monitors and scribbling something on his chart.

"That's perfectly normal after everything you've been through. I've reviewed your vitals, and I'm pleased to say you're recovering well. If nothing changes overnight, you'll be cleared for discharge by noon tomorrow."

Alex exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his shoulders sagging with relief. Emma smiled softly at him, while Claire squeezed his hands softly.

The doctor continued, his tone growing serious. "However, Mrs Sterling, you'll still need to be nursed properly at home. Your body has been under a lot of stress, and you need rest—no physical strain, no stress. Gentle care is crucial for your full recovery."

Before Emma could respond, Alex spoke up, his voice firm and unwavering. "I'll take care of her."

The doctor turned toward him, eyebrows lifting slightly. "You?"

Alex nodded, his gaze never leaving Emma's. "Yes. I'll make sure she rests and gets everything she needs. You can count on it."

The doctor gave a small, approving smile, scribbling his final notes. "Alright then, I'll sign off your discharge papers in the morning. If there are any concerns, the nurses will be available through the night."

"Thank you, doctor," Emma whispered.

"Rest well, Mrs Sterling," he replied, then nodded once to Alex and Claire before leaving the room quietly.

As soon as the door closed behind him, a beat of silence hung in the air.

Then Claire crossed her arms and raised a teasing eyebrow. "Well, well, well. I never knew you had a hidden talent, Alex."

He blinked, confused. "What?" he asked while everyone else hid their smiles since they were all experiencing a new side to Alex.

Chris smirked from where he stood near the window. "Yeah, man. Since when did you become a nurse? Should we start calling you Dr. Knight now?"

Ivy added with a mischievous smile, "I'm curious—what kind of nursing care are you planning? Bedside songs? Fluffing pillows? Maybe even spoon-feeding her soup? Or.... mouth feeding?" She teased, winking at Emma.

Emma, cheeks flushed, let out a soft laugh despite herself, her hand covering her face in embarrassment.

Alex scowled, his lips twitching into a reluctant smile. "You guys are impossible. I'm serious. Emma needs proper care, and I—"

Claire cut him off, grinning widely. "Oh, we know you're serious, Alex. You're just serious in love. I've never seen you this...soft. It's honestly adorable."

Chris nodded. "Adorable is definitely the word. I mean, look at him. Completely smitten. Gosh!"

Alex shook his head, exasperated but unable to hide the warmth spreading across his face. His gaze softened as he looked back at Emma. "I am serious. She needs to heal, and I'm not letting anything happen to her again. And you, cant wait to use that line on you when I see how smitten you'd get when your 'she's the one' finally accepts to be your woman," Alex said and Claire looked away unable to stop the blush that rose on her face.

Emma, her heart swelling at his words, and their little banter spoke gently. "Alex... thank you. Really. But you don't have to do this all alone. I'll be fine, I promise."

Alex shook his head, voice dropping to a whisper only she could hear. "I almost lost you, Emma. I'm not leaving your side again. Not now. Not ever."

The teasing softened into something gentler, more heartfelt.

Claire finally spoke up, her voice quieter now. "We're just teasing, Alex. We know you mean it. And we're all glad she has you."

Emma looked around the room, eyes misting as she realized just how surrounded by love she was. Chris. Ivy. Claire. And Alex—the man who had become her everything, even when she hadn't expected it.

She whispered, voice trembling just slightly, "I'm lucky to have all of you. Thank you for being here... for staying."

Alex leaned closer, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "We're not going anywhere, Emma."