Chapter 3: I’m Sorry, Ella

At one in the morning, Alexander pushed open the door. He saw Ella still waiting on the sofa. Around her were half-cleaned birthday decorations.

Ella was curled up in the wide leather sofa. She hadn't slept yet. Her face was pale. The oversized nightgown made her look like she might collapse at any moment.

Alexander looked at her red, swollen eyes. A flash of distress crossed his heart involuntarily.

He took off his suit jacket and walked over to drape it over her shoulders. "Why aren't you sleeping yet? It's so late. You'll catch cold."

Ella didn't respond. She just stared at him. Her gaze made Alexander uncomfortable. He loosened his tie and sat down beside her. "I'm sorry. I came back late."

"Where were you?" Ella's voice was soft. So soft it seemed like it would shatter at any moment.

"Company meeting. You know, that project—"

"Stop lying to me, Alexander." Ella interrupted him. She took out her phone and pushed Jessica's Instagram photo in front of him. "What is this?"

Alexander glanced at it. His brows furrowed. "Ella, I can explain—"

"Then explain!" Ella's voice suddenly rose. "Explain why you were having a candlelit dinner with another woman on your son's fifth birthday! Explain why you promised Leo you'd come back—" Her voice choked. "But you made him wait from afternoon until midnight..."

Alexander rubbed his temples. "I'm sorry, Ella. I really did go to a meeting. By the time it finished, it was already six o'clock. "

"Then I got a message from Jessica. Today was her and Michael's dating anniversary. Her emotions were very unstable. She had a breakdown at home alone. " His tone softened. "You know she's had self-harm tendencies since Michael died. I couldn't just ignore her. I figured the party was already over by then, so I went to have dinner with her—"

"You couldn't ignore her. Then what about me? What about Leo?" Ella stood up. The jacket slid off her body. "Leo waited until the cake melted. He waited until he fell asleep and woke up crying. For his fifth birthday, your gift to him was your absence?"

"I know I was wrong, okay?" Alexander stood up too. Exhaustion filled his voice. "I've already canceled all tomorrow's meetings. I'll properly celebrate his birthday with you both. Is that okay?"

His long fingers loosened his tie. He unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt.

He was about to say something when Ella's gaze suddenly fixed on his shirt.

On the shirt collar was a bright red lipstick mark. It was glaringly obvious against the white fabric.

"What is that?" Ella pointed at the mark. Her voice began to tremble.

Alexander looked down. His expression changed. "Ella, this isn't what you think—"

"Not what I think?" Ella took a step closer. "Then what is it? Tell me, Alexander. Why is her lipstick on your shirt?!"

"Jessica lost control of her emotions. She hugged me and cried. It probably got smudged on me accidentally then—"

"Accidentally?" Ella struggled to suppress her emotions. "Alexander, do you think I'm stupid?!"

"I don't! Ella, can you stop being unreasonable?!" Alexander's patience finally ran out. "I already told you, Jessica and I have nothing! She's just my sister-in-law. I'm just taking care of her—"

"Taking care of her until one in the morning? Taking care of her until your shirt is covered in her lipstick?!"

"Enough!" Alexander's voice rose. "I said I'll celebrate the birthday with you both. What more do you want?!"

"I want you to be with your son on his birthday! I want you to remember the promises you made to him! I want you to feel heartbroken when you see him crying like that!" Ella's tears wouldn't stop flowing. "But you can't do that, can you? Because in your heart, Jessica is always more important than us!"

"Mommy?"

A small voice interrupted their argument. Leo stood at the staircase. He rubbed his eyes. His face still had tear stains on it. He had clearly been woken up by the fighting.

Ella's heart shattered. She rushed over and crouched down to hug her son. "Baby, I'm sorry. We woke you up—"

"Mommy, you're crying." Leo reached out his small hand and wiped the tears from her face. "Did Daddy make you angry?"

She quickly rushed over. She crouched down and pulled Leo tightly into her arms. Big tears fell on her son's shoulder.

Alexander watched this scene. The irritation in his heart faded. It was replaced by deep guilt.

He walked over. He opened his arms and embraced both mother and son. He apologized in a low voice. "I'm sorry. It's Daddy's fault. Daddy worked too late. I missed your birthday party. It won't happen again. Leo, Daddy promises."

Leo obediently reached out his small hand and patted Alexander's hand. "It's okay, Daddy. Mommy was with me the whole time. As long as you came back, I'm not sad anymore."

Alexander's heart softened. He held his son and Ella. "It's Daddy's fault. Tomorrow, no—starting now, Daddy will spend time with you both properly, okay?"

Ella closed her eyes. Tears slid down. She wanted to believe. She wanted to give him another chance. She wanted to—

"Mr. Blackwood!" The butler suddenly rushed in. His face looked panicked. "Sorry to disturb you, but—Miss Jessica is in the hospital!"

Alexander stood up abruptly. "What?!"

"Miss Jessica just called. She said it's an emergency. She needs you to come right away!"

Alexander's face instantly turned pale. He glanced at Ella. Then at Leo. He hesitated for less than three seconds. He turned and headed for the door. "I have to go to the hospital—"

"Alexander." Ella stood up. She held Leo. Her voice was very calm. "If you leave, don't come back."

Alexander's steps paused. He turned his head. "Ella, don't be difficult. Jessica might be in life-threatening danger—"

"What about us?" Ella asked. Her tears had already dried. "Leo and I—what are we to you?"

Alexander gritted his teeth. He looked at Ella one last time. "When I get back, we'll talk properly."

With that, he turned and left. He didn't even take his coat.