Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth!-Chapter 117: I Misjudged You

After they had come to a conclusion, Emma lay nestled against the pillows, her heart still warm from the tender moment she had just shared with Alex.

The promise to move into his room felt both daunting and comforting, but she knew deep down she had made the right decision. Being with Alex felt right in a way nothing else ever had.

Alex shifted beside her, watching her with a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips. He traced his fingers gently down her arm, causing a delicious shiver to run through her.

"Alright, Mrs. Sterling," he teased softly. "Time to get up. Go freshen up while I prepare your breakfast."

Emma blinked up at him, raising a questioning brow. "You? Prepare breakfast? Have you forgotten you don't exactly know how to cook?" She asked, looking at him.

Alex smirked. "Hey, I'll have you know I've been watching a few cooking videos lately. I'm practically a professional now," he said and then winked at her.

Emma's heart gave a happy little flip. This man—so thoughtful, so determined to do the simplest things just to make her happy.

But then, she laughed, her green eyes sparkling with amusement. "A professional disaster, maybe. You don't have to push yourself, babe. You have a chef."

"What did you just say?" He asked and she rolled her eyes.

"You have a chef—"

"No, the one before that," he cut in and she raised a brow, looking at him in confusion.

"What part? The part I said it'd be a professional disaster or the part I said you shouldn't push yourself?" She asked and he shook his head.

"The part you said, babe," he said and Emma adverted her gaze away from him, feeling shy now.

"You don't have to be dramatic everytime I call you that," she murmured and he smiled.

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"I still can't get used to it. It just feels so natural," he said and she smiled.

"Being with you feels natural—"

"Yet, you have no faith in me when I say I'll make you the most tasty meal you've ever had," Alex said, clutching his chest in mock offense.

"After the last time you offered to help me? You can't blame me for not trusting you with my stomach, Alex," she said and Alex nodded.

"True, but this time, I'll prove you wrong. Now, go freshen up, and I'll bring you the most delicious breakfast you've ever had," he said, winking at her again.

Emma giggled and then shook her head. "Okay," she said, clearly entertained. "Good luck with that and try not to burn the house down."

Alex chuckled, leaning in for a lingering kiss before standing. "I'll be back. Don't move. Freshen up and wait for me."

"Yes, sir," Emma teased as he left the room, the sound of his footsteps fading down the hall.

Once he was gone, Emma let out a soft sigh, the smile lingering on her lips. She stretched her arms above her head before slipping out of bed and making her way to the bathroom.

As she stood under the warm spray of the shower, her thoughts drifted.

Everything felt so different now. It all felt so peaceful and safe. Just like she had always wanted and imagined.

A few weeks ago, she never would have imagined being this... happy.

Back then, she had believed Jake was the best thing to ever happen to her. She had settled for his sweet words, his charm, and his promises. Yet it had all been a lie. A facade that shattered her heart. And now?

Now, she had Alex.

The man who had been nothing but patient and kind to her. The man who made her feel cherished in ways she didn't know were possible.

He wasn't just saying he loved her but he was showing it, and was being intentional about caring for her, making sure she never felt alone or unimportant.

What was it if it wasn't love. Real love.

She wrapped a towel around herself and dried off, the warmth of her heart matching the physical warmth of the shower. After getting dressed in a cozy knit sweater and leggings, she returned to her room and perched at the edge of the bed, waiting for Alex.

As she waited, minutes ticked by and even though she was happily occupying her mind with the thoughts of Alex, she couldn't help growing anxious and curious as more minutes passed.

Her stomach rumbled slightly, and curiosity got the better of her. What on earth was taking him so long? Was he actually attempting to cook? She mused not wanting to think he had been serious about it.

She had thought he was just going to tell the chef what to make but with every passing second, her mind started to believe what Alex had.

A small smile curved her lips as she stood and made her way toward the dining area, the soft scent of something delicious wafting through the air.

When she entered, Alex was already setting the table, carefully placing a plate of what looked like scrambled eggs, and toast. A glass of orange juice sat beside it, and there was even a small vase with a single white flower in the center of the table.

Emma crossed her arms, arching a brow as she took in the scene. "Took you ages. Must be really delicious, huh?" She teased, thinking the chef had made it.

Alex turned around, a sheepish smile on his face. "Perfection takes time."

Before she could respond, the kitchen door swung open, and Alex's chef, Mrs. Hale, emerged, wiping her hands on a towel.

Emma's eyes narrowed playfully. "Wait a minute. Did you make this? Or she did?" she asked, pointing to the plate.

Mrs. Hale shook her head with a warm smile. "Oh no. Sir Alex made it himself. I just... guided him a little," she said, not wanting her master's effort to go in vain.

Emma blinked, her lips parting in surprise as she turned back to Alex, who folded his arms smugly.

"So," he said with a playful arch of his brow, "You didn't think I could do it, huh?"

Emma laughed, shaking her head. "I had to be sure. It looks amazing, but the real test is in the taste, you know."

Alex grinned, stepping forward and taking her hand. "Well, let's test it then. But not here—back in your room. I'm not letting you sit anywhere else but where you're most comfortable."

She blinked, her heart skipping at his thoughtfulness. "Alex, you don't have to—"

"I want to," he cut her off gently. "Come on."

They returned to her room, and Alex carefully placed the tray on the nightstand. He sat beside her on the bed as she picked up the fork, cutting a piece of egg and tasting it.

Emma blinked in surprise. "Wow. Alex, this is... really good!"

Alex beamed, clearly proud of himself. "Told you I could learn. See? Not just a pretty face, huh?"

She laughed softly. "You're definitely more than a pretty face, Alex."

His grin widened as he watched her eat, the praise clearly warming him. "I'm glad I could make not just happy but your stomach happy, too."

She playfully nudged his arm, shaking her head as she continued eating.

As they continued eating, Emma felt her heart swelling again, the love she felt for him so overwhelming it made her chest ache. He was so caring. So gentle. So present.

When they finished, Emma placed the tray aside, leaning back against the pillows as Alex mirrored her posture.

"Alex?" she asked softly, her hand finding his.

"Hmm?"

"When do you plan on going back to work? I'm fine now, you know."

He shook his head immediately. "It's only Wednesday, Em. I told you—I'm not leaving you alone this week. I'll go back on Monday."

"Alex, I promise I'm okay now. You've done so much for me already. Don't you think you should—"

"Emma," he interrupted gently, his hand tightening around hers. "You don't have to worry. Claire is taking care of things. If she needed me, she would've told me. She's capable, so relax, okay? Right now, you're my priority. Nothing else."

She bit her lip, nodding softly, feeling once again how fiercely he cared for her.

A thoughtful silence fell between them before Alex shifted, his expression turning more serious. "Emma... there's something I need to tell you."

She looked up at him, concerned. "What is it?"

"I've decided... I'm going to see Jake myself."

Emma's lips parted in surprise. "You don't have to force yourself, Alex. If you're not ready—"

"I need to," he said firmly, though his voice remained gentle. "I need to see for myself if he's truly sorry. If he's changed. Like Claire said."

Emma nodded, glad he was open to forgiving them now. "I want to come with you."

Alex shook his head. "No. You've already forgiven him, Em. That's enough. He doesn't deserve to see you. He only needs to know you've forgiven him—and I'll be the one to tell him."

She hesitated, studying his face. But the truth was, he was right. She had already let go of her anger. There was no need to reopen those wounds.

"Okay," she whispered, then squeezed his hand gently. "Thank you... for thinking about me in everything."

Alex smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Always. You're my heart, Emma. And I'll do whatever it takes to protect you."

"Seeing all you do for me, I just realized that I misjudged you. I had thought you'd not bother with me especially because of my history with your nephew–"

"I understand. But you should know I love you. I'm even more grateful to the Jake treated you otherwise, I wouldn't have had the chance to be with you. I love you," Alex said placing a warm kiss on Emma's forehead, making her stomach flutter.

She loved him and though she still had some doubt's because of Jake's betrayal, she was going to make a conscious effort to trust him, everyday.