Chapter 6- I want to see my wife

Alexander had never felt this kind of anxiety, not since he first married Becky. His face betrayed his desperation, a yearning so intense it almost shocked him. This was Becky, the same woman he had so often taken for granted, brushed aside when it suited him. But now? Now, he couldn't bear the thought of losing her. Was it fear of her revealing his secrets? Or was there something deeper, an unsettling pang of guilt that wouldn't let him rest?

“Where is Mrs. Becky Alexander?” he demanded from the nurse at the reception desk.

The nurse paused, a slight frown on her face. “Sir, do you mean Becky Scholes?”

Alexander froze for a moment, her words sinking in like a bitter reminder. Becky was no longer carrying his name. “Yes,” he responded sharply, struggling to keep his voice steady. “Take me to where she is.”

He turned, and his gaze met the last people he wanted to see, his half-brothers, Adams and Jude. Their smug expressions made his stomach twist.

Jude glanced at his watch and let out a loud, disdainful sigh. “Finally decides to show up for his wife. Can’t even keep a family together,” he muttered, just loud enough for Alexander to hear.

Adams chimed in with a mocking grin, “Think Dad’ll finally see him for the incompetent fool he is? It’s only a matter of time before he loses his place at the company too. We all know why he married her; some quick fix after that scandal. Pathetic.”

Alexander’s hands clenched at his sides, but he forced himself to keep his composure as the nurse spoke up. “She’s in the emergency ward.”

“Take me there, now!” he barked, his patience frayed.

He followed the nurse down into the busy hospital and his assistant Tom at his side. But when they arrived at the room, it was empty.

“Where is she?” he thundered, his voice laced with panic. The nurse paled, fumbling for an answer.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw them, Becky’s parents. Her mother’s face was streaked with tears, and her father’s arm was wrapped around her, gently comforting her. When her mother’s gaze locked onto Alexander, it was filled with raw, seething anger.

He barely had time to open his mouth before the sting of her slap shot across his face. The shock left him frozen, his mind racing to process what had just happened.

“You’ve killed her,” she choked out, her voice breaking. “My daughter… because of you. What are you still doing here? Your neglect, your selfishness, it’s sent her to her grave.”

The words hit Alexander like a blow to the chest, leaving him breathless. His mind reeled as he stared at her, trying to make sense of it all, a single thought going around in his head.

What… What had happened to Becky?

Alexander’s pulse thundered, and he adjusted his gaze, his mind racing. If any of this leaked to the press, his reputation would be shattered.

“Who fed you that nonsense?” he shot back, trying to steady his voice. “I cared for your daughter. I put her up in one of my best properties, made sure she had her own maid. She even has a personal driver. I never neglected her. Now, move aside, I need to see my wife.”

As he turned, his eyes caught sight of someone subtly recording him, likely at the request of his brothers. This was just the kind of ammunition they’d relish. But at least he’d made his point in front of Becky’s parents.

“If you truly loved her, you’d be here before us…” Becky’s mother’s voice rang out and was full of disappointment.

“I want to see my wife,” he snapped, cutting her off, his tone sharper than he’d intended. The reaction was immediate, her father, Mr. Scholes, stepped forward, his glare piercing.

“This hypocrisy is getting on my nerves. Young man, can I have a word with you?” The title, “young man,” felt like a slap, a deliberate dismissal of his name and status.

Alexander felt the blood rush to his face. The disrespect was unmistakable, and he clenched his fists in his pockets. But he held his tongue. Becky’s well-being, wherever she was, depended on him swallowing his pride. Silently, he followed Scholes down the hall, noting with unease how the crowd around them grew, people whispering and glancing his way.

Once they reached a quieter corner, Scholes rounded on him, eyes blazing. “What happened in court a few hours ago?” The question was a hammer to Alexander’s eyes. He took a step back, realizing in an instant that what he thought would remain buried might be teetering on the edge of exposure.

“Didn’t you divorce my daughter?” Scholes pressed, his words like venom. “How dare you call her your wife after signing those papers?”

Alexander’s throat went dry. He opened his mouth, but Scholes continued, each word slicing deeper.

“You stole her from us for three years. Took her life, and laid it to waste. Your cruelty did this.”

Alexander’s frustration boiled over. “Why won’t you let me speak? Don’t I have a right to respond?”

“No,” Scholes countered, his voice steady but cold. “You can try, if you want me to release the audio file you’re so desperate to keep from the media. For your own good, leave this hospital. All you’ve done, all your secrets—they stay buried, or so help me, they’ll see daylight.”

Alexander’s mind spun, scrambling to process. Why did Becky tell him about the recording? Has she been confiding in him about everything? The betrayal ate him up in an instant. I thought we had an understanding. Why would she blackmail me this way, through her father? What else has she told him? Whatever he says now will all be accepted since Becky is dead…”

A gentle voice broke through his haze. “Sir…” Tom’s voice grounded him, and he blinked, refocusing.

“You were speaking to yourself, sir. Mr. Scholes has left. Shall we go and… see your wife’s body?”

Scholes’ parting words echoed in his mind as a strong reminder. “For your own good, leave this hospital. All that you have done in secret should be kept in secret.” He shook his head quickly, fighting the twist of dread growing up in his spine, then replied tightly, “Yes, Tom. Let’s go home first. I know what to do.” As he took the first few steps, he added.

“I’ll pay my final respects at her burial. Find out the date for me,” Alexander said.

“Consider it done, sir,” Tom replied.

Alexander turned and headed towards the hospital exit, his steps heavy. Tom trailed behind him, wondering, Why wouldn’t Becky’s parents let him see her? She’s still his wife.

As Alexander reached the main doors, he was suddenly stopped by a question thrown his way.

“Now that you’ve seen your wife, what’s her condition?”

For a moment, he couldn’t speak. His eyes stung, red with regret. He never thought it would end like this; he never expected her to… Why did he agree to the divorce?

“He can’t even tell us about his own wife,” someone murmured in the crowd. “Why are they hiding her condition?”

“The accident was severe, that’s all we know.”

“He should know the truth, shouldn’t he?”

Microphones surrounded him as he neared his car, but just then, a voice broke through, pulling the reporters away.

“My daughter is dead. She didn’t survive the accident.” Scholes’ voice trembled, tears streaming down his face.

Will he say more? Alexander’s heart pounded as he stood frozen near his car. The car door was already opened, but he couldn't enter as he waited to see if Becky's dad would add to what he had just said.