Finally, Alexander looked away.

"Don’t let this happen again."

Alicia’s lips curved into a faint, almost amused smile.

"Thank you, CEO Blackwood."

The title created distance.

Clear. Intentional.

Alexander left shortly after and went downstairs for dinner.

The house remained quiet.

Too quiet.

When he returned to the bedroom later, the soft sound of running water came from the bathroom.

A few minutes later, the water stopped.

Noticing Alicia staring intently at her phone, Alexander leaned over, resting his head lightly against her shoulder.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing. Just scrolling," Alicia replied quickly, locking her phone and lowering it.

In truth, she had been using a secondary account to browse the OTP fan hashtags on Twitter. Clips from the press conference had already been edited and uploaded, their interactions replayed and dissected by countless viewers.

Seeing the faint trace of guilt on her face, Alexander narrowed his eyes.

"If it’s nothing, why are you hiding your phone?"

His breath brushed against her neck, warm and intrusive.

Alicia instinctively shrank back, placing a hand against his chest to push him away.

"Don’t be so close."

Alexander’s gaze darkened slightly.

In the next second, he snatched the phone right out of her hands.

Alicia’s eyes widened. She lunged forward immediately.

"No!"

He knew her password.

If he unlocked it, he would see everything—the hashtags, the clips, the comments.

She couldn’t let that happen.

Alexander raised the phone high above her reach, his long arm effortlessly keeping it out of her grasp.

Alicia struggled, stretching upward, trying to pull his arm down.

After a brief struggle, she managed to drag his arm lower—

—but the phone had already switched to his other hand.

Her effort was completely wasted.

"I said give it back!" she snapped, her cheeks flushed with frustration.

Alexander smirked, clearly amused by her reaction.

He enjoyed this.

Watching her lose her composure.

But then—

His gaze dropped.

Her loungewear had shifted during the struggle, the neckline slipping slightly, revealing more than she intended.

His expression changed subtly.

His throat bobbed as his eyes darkened.

Slowly, he leaned closer, his voice low, almost teasing as it brushed against her ear.

"How about tonight?"

Alicia’s body stiffened.

Before she could respond—

A sudden wave of dizziness hit her.

Her vision blurred instantly.

The room spun.

Her grip on his arm loosened without warning.

"Wait—"

Her voice came out faint, unsteady.

Alexander’s expression shifted.

"Alicia?"

She didn’t answer.

The color drained from her face in an instant.

The phone slipped from her hand onto the bed.

Then—

Her knees gave way.

Alexander reacted instantly, catching her before she collapsed.

"Alicia!"

Her body felt alarmingly light in his arms.

Too light.

Her eyes were half-closed, her breathing uneven.

"I... I’m fine..." she murmured weakly.

"You call this fine?" His voice sharpened, laced with unmistakable tension.

She tried to steady herself, pushing lightly against him.

"Just... a little dizzy..."

But the words barely left her lips before nausea surged.

Her brows knitted together as she turned away abruptly, covering her mouth.

Alexander’s gaze darkened.

Without another word, he lifted her into his arms.

"What are you doing..." she whispered, startled.

"Stop talking."

His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

He carried her straight into the bathroom.

The moment her feet touched the ground, Alicia leaned over the sink, her body trembling as the nausea overtook her.

Alexander stood close behind her, one hand hovering near her back, ready to steady her at any moment.

His eyes never left her.

This wasn’t normal.

After a while, Alicia finally steadied herself, gripping the edge of the sink.

Her reflection in the mirror looked pale... fragile.

She quickly turned on the tap, rinsing her mouth, trying to compose herself.

"I’m okay," she said softly.

Alexander didn’t respond.

His gaze remained fixed on her reflection, sharp and searching.

"You’ve been like this for how long?"

Alicia hesitated—just for a second.

"Recently."

"Recently?" His tone dropped.

She avoided his eyes.

"It’s nothing serious."

Suddenly, Alexander reached out and grabbed her wrist again.

This time, his grip was firm.

"we are going to the hospital now."

"No."

The refusal came instantly.

Too fast.

Too defensive.

Both of them froze.

Alicia seemed to realize it too.

Her fingers tightened slightly.

"I mean... it’s not necessary. I just need rest."

Alexander’s eyes darkened.

That reaction—

Wasn’t normal.

"Alicia."

Her name came out slower this time.

Measured.

"i thought the doctor said it was nothing serious?"

Her heart skipped.

For a brief moment, panic flickered in her eyes—

But she quickly suppressed it.

"He did, it’s just my stomach and stress from the few days."

She gently pulled her hand free and turned away.

"I’m just tired."

Alexander didn’t move.

His gaze lingered on her back, his expression growing cold,more intent.what she said was probably true but he didn’t know why he still felt like there’s more to this.

He took a towel and handed it to her, his expression noticeably softer.

"We’re going to see a specialist tomorrow."

Alicia’s heart skipped a beat.

But her face revealed nothing.

She rinsed her mouth carefully before taking the towel from him, dabbing her face as if everything was under control.

"There’s no need," she said calmly. "I already told you—it’s nothing to worry about."

Alexander watched her in silence.

The seriousness in her tone made it clear—

She wouldn’t change her mind.

His jaw tightened slightly.

Before she could react, he bent down and lifted her into his arms.

"What are you doing? I can walk—"

Alicia protested, startled.

But Alexander didn’t respond.

He simply carried her out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom, his steps steady, leaving no room for argument.

Gently, he placed her on the bed and pulled the covers over her.

The movement was careful.

Almost... deliberate.

Alicia blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the quiet attentiveness.

Alexander walked around to the other side of the bed and lay down beside her.

The room fell silent.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Alicia lay still, her back facing him, her fingers unconsciously tightening against the blanket.

Behind her, Alexander stared at the ceiling, his thoughts anything but calm.

The image of her pale face... the way she nearly collapsed—

It replayed in his mind.

Over and over again.

His brows slowly drew together.

Something wasn’t right.

And no matter how she tried to brush it off—

He wasn’t convinced.

The next morning, Alicia woke up feeling drained, a lingering weakness weighing down her body.

But she didn’t let it show.

As usual, she got out of bed, washed up, and changed into her work clothes as if nothing had happened the night before.

By the time she headed downstairs, her expression was already calm and composed.

Alexander was seated at the dining table, about to start breakfast.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up.

The moment his eyes landed on Alicia, his brows furrowed.

She was dressed for work.

"Morning," Alicia said casually as she walked in.

"Morning," he replied, his gaze lingering on her. "You’re going to work already?"

"Mm."

She moved toward the table as if everything was normal.

Alexander set down his utensils slightly, his expression turning more serious.

"If you’re not feeling well, then stay home today," he said. "There isn’t much at the office anyway."

"I’m fine," Alicia answered without hesitation. "I still have a few things to wrap up."

After a brief pause, she added calmly,

"Besides... there’s nothing wrong with me."

Alexander didn’t respond immediately.

He just looked at her.

Carefully.

As if trying to see through her words.

Alicia felt his gaze but didn’t react. She simply reached for a glass of water, her movements steady, unhurried.

For a moment, it seemed like he wanted to say something more.

His brows tightened slightly.

But in the end, he said nothing.

He lowered his gaze and continued eating in silence.

The atmosphere at the table turned quiet.

Too quiet.

And yet—

Neither of them broke it.