Chapter 208
“Hey, Alpha Alexander!” 1 called out quickly, desperate to stop him.
He turned back toward me, standing before the massive glass wall. Behind him stretched the endless blue sea, the morning light creating a halo effect that blurred his silhouette.
I couldn’t read his expression, but for just a moment, I thought I detected something different in his demeanor – something almost… tender?
“What is it?” His tone remained as cold as ever.
Just my imagination, then. He was still the same frigid Alexander.
Disappointment settled in my chest. “Are you heading out to work again?”
“What do you need?” he repeated, more firmly this time.
“Nothing really.” I searched for something to say, finally offering, “I was just wondering if you’ve had breakfast yet? Maybe we could eat together before you go?”
“No time.” With those two words, he opened the door and left, leaving me staring at his retreating back.
Soon after, the doctor arrived to change my bandages. “Although the wounds are starting to scab over, you still need to be careful, Miss Winters.”
“After disembarking tonight, please make sure to visit a hospital nearby. With proper care, you should be back to normal activities in three or four days.”
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Noticing my distant expression, the doctor waved a hand in front of my face. “Miss Winters, can you hear me?”
I snapped back to attention. “Hmm?”
“Are you alright?” he asked, concerned.
I forced a smile. “I’m fine. You can go now, doctor. I understand everything you’ve said.”
“Very well. Rest up, Ms. Winters.” The doctor picked up his bag and left.
I stood from the sofa and wandered to the balcony, where handcrafted white wicker chairs and a small table awaited.
From there, the ocean stretched endlessly to the horizon, morning light dancing across its surface while a gentle breeze offered respite from the heat.
It should have been perfect—a peaceful moment away from the chaos of city life.
Instead, I couldn’t even muster the appetite to touch the breakfast that had been brought to me.
The doctor’s words about disembarking tonight echoed in my mind.
Had three days really passed so quickly?
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Chapter 208
+25 BONUS
I desperately wanted more time with Alexander. Once we left this cruise, I might never have another chance. I wondered if he would return today. If he didn’t, wouldn’t this last day be wasted?
True to my fears, Alexander didn’t return. I questioned the butler repeatedly, but his answer never varied.
“Ms. Winters, Alpha Alexander is busy,” he would say with practiced patience.
By late afternoon, as shadows lengthened across the suite, I tried once more. “When will Alpha Alexander finish his work?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know.”
“Will he… will he come back at all?”
Will he return to share dinner with me, to disembark alongside me?
“I apologize, Miss Winters, but I’m not Alpha Alexander.” The implication was clear – he couldn’t read his master’s mind, so questioning him was pointless.
As night fell, the cruise ship drew closer to shore.
Within half an hour, we were securely docked.
The ship’s announcement system crackled to life, reminding passengers to gather their belongings and disembark, wishing everyone a pleasant journey onward.
People began filing off the ship while I remained seated on the sofa, neck craned as I stared unblinkingly at the clock.
“Ms. Winters, it’s getting late. You should disembark now,” the butler said gently.
I finally blinked, shifting my gaze to the tuxedo–clad man who had served our suite during the voyage. “Could I stay a little longer? Wait for Alpha Alexander?”
The butler’s expression remained professionally neutral as he delivered the final blow: “Ms. Winters, Alpha Alexander has already disembarked.”
The news hit me like a bucket of ice water.
It felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over my head. Despite the warm evening, a bone–deep chill settled into my body.
Maybe the air conditioning was set too low, I tried to tell myself.
I pressed my lips together, forcing a smile. “I see. Thank you. I’ll leave now.”
As I gathered my meager belongings, I wondered if Alexander had ever truly seen me during these three days, or
if I’d merely been a ghost from his past that he couldn’t wait to exorcise?
Chapter 209
Chapter 209
