Chapter 5: Leave It to Me

"Would you allow me to take care of things?"

Emily caught her breath at Alexander's unexpected offer.

"But... I can't possibly impose on you any more than I already have."

"You're not imposing."

Alexander gave her a gentle smile.

"Frankly, I'd be far more worried about leaving you alone in your current situation."

Emily found herself at a loss for words.

It wasn't as though they'd only met today.

Alexander was a regular customer at the café where she worked.

He usually visited outside the busiest hours. And whenever the staff were overwhelmed with orders, he would wait patiently without a single complaint.

He was always polite, always considerate, and never treated anyone as though they were beneath him.

Emily had noticed those little things.

Unlike some customers who snapped their fingers or complained about the smallest delay, Alexander always thanked the staff.

Sometimes, on particularly exhausting days, his quiet kindness had been enough to make her feel a little better.

Perhaps that was why she felt she could trust him now.

Even so, accepting so much help from a customer made her uncomfortable.

"But there's one thing I need you to promise me."

Alexander's expression grew serious.

"For the time being, don't meet your husband alone."

"...All right."

"Even if you need to discuss the divorce, there's no reason you should have to face him by yourself."

Emily nodded slowly.

I don't have to endure everything alone anymore.

The thought lifted a little of the weight pressing down on her chest.

She had spent so long believing that being a good wife meant putting up with whatever Ryan did.

But perhaps she didn't have to live that way anymore.

"Well then, shall we?"

Alexander stood and gently picked up her belongings.

"Oh! I can carry those myself."

"You're a patient today, Emily. Please, let me."

His tone was so natural and matter-of-fact that she couldn't bring herself to argue.

"Thank you..."

They made their way toward the hospital lobby.

As they passed the reception desk, several staff members immediately bowed their heads to Alexander.

"Thank you for your hard work, sir."

"We appreciate your visit today."

Their manner was unusually respectful.

It was almost as though they were greeting a superior rather than an ordinary visitor.

Emily tilted her head in confusion.

"Alexander, you really seem to know everyone here."

He gave a faint smile.

"It's simply that my work brings me into contact with a lot of people."

"Oh, I see."

She didn't think much more of it.

After everything that had happened today, she barely had the energy to wonder about anything else.

Still, something about the way the hospital staff had treated him lingered in the back of her mind.

They hadn't just recognized him.

They'd seemed almost nervous around him.

But before she could give it any further thought, they stepped outside.

A sleek black luxury sedan glided smoothly to a stop in front of the hospital entrance.

Its polished exterior gleamed beneath the afternoon sunlight.

Emily instinctively stepped aside, assuming the expensive car was there to pick up someone important.

Then the rear door opened.

A sharply dressed man in a dark suit stepped out and bowed deeply.

"Mr. Sterling, I've come to pick you up."

Emily's eyes widened.

"Wait... What?"

Alexander gave a small, almost apologetic smile.

"It's a bit of a complicated situation."

He turned toward the man.

"There's been a change of plans."

"Of course, sir."

The man nodded without hesitation, as though changing arrangements at a moment's notice was perfectly ordinary.

Emily stared at the luxurious car, then at Alexander.

The man she'd known as a polite, unassuming regular at her café suddenly seemed very different.

The expensive car.

The suited chauffeur.

The hospital staff who had treated him with such extraordinary respect.

None of it made sense.

Just who was this man?

"Alexander..."

She looked up at him, her voice filled with confusion.

"Who... who exactly are you?"