#184 “Damn you, Alexander.”
When Ben finally stirred awake from the haze of anesthesia, the first thing he noticed was the absence
of Sophia by his side. Confusion clouded his mind as he nced around the hospital room, searching
for any sign of her presence. Instead, he found himself face to face with a stranger-a caregiver hired by
Alexander to tend to his needs.
“Where’s Sophia?” Ben’s voice came out hoarse, his throat dry from the effects of the anesthesia.
The caregiver, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, approached him with a sympathetic smile. “She
had to step out for a bit, but don’t worry, dear. I’m here to take care of you,” she reassured him, her
voice gentle and soothing.
Ben’s brows furrowed in frustration and resentment. He couldn’t understand why Sophia would leave
him alone in his time of need. Anger bubbled up inside him as he struggled to make sense of the
situation. He remembered seeing Alexander with her the night he was shot and decided that he was
behind Sophia’s absence.
As Benjamin’s frustration grew, he decided to take matters into his own hands. With his phone in hand,
he dialed Alexander’s number, his fingers trembling with anger as he waited for him to pick up.
“Alexander,” Benjamin’s voice was sharp and usatory as soon as the call connected. “What the hell
did you do?”
Alexander, caught off guard by the sudden confrontation, took a moment topose himself before
responding. “Benjamin, what are you talking about? “he replied, feigning innocence.
“Don’t y dumb with me,” Benjamin snapped, his anger boiling over. “You know exactly what I’m
talking about. You kept Sophia froming to see me at the hospital. Why would you do that?
Alexander feigned innocence, his tone dripping with faux concern. “Sophia? Last I heard, she was
taking a much- needed break,” he replied casually, though there was a smug undertone in his voice
that grated on Benjamin’s nerves.
“You know damn well that you’re behind this,” Benjamin snapped, his patience wearing thin. “You’re
trying to keep her away from me.”
A knowing chuckle escaped Alexander’s lips, confirming Benjamin’s suspicions. “Oh, Ben, always
jumping to conclusions,” he retorted, his voice oozing with condescension. “I’m just looking out for her
well-being, unlike some people.”
Benjamin’s blood boiled at Alexander’s arrogant demeanor. “You’re just doing this out of spite,” he
used, his voice trembling with anger. “You can’t stand the thought of her being with anyone else.”
There was a moment of silence on the line before Alexander spoke again, his tone dripping with smug
satisfaction. ” Believe what you want, Ben,” he replied dismissively. “But Sophia’s well-being is my
priority, not your selfish desires.”
With that, he ended the call, leaving Benjamin seething with frustration and resentment.
As Alexander ended the call with Benjamin, Sophia’s curious gaze fell upon him, her brow furrowed
with concern. “Who was that, Alexander?” she inquired.
“It was Benjamin,” he admitted.
Sophia’s eyes widened in surprise, her concern deepening at the mention of Benjamin’s name.
“Benjamin? How is he?” she asked, her voiceced with worry.
“He’s awake,” Alexander replied, his tone solemn as he met Sophia’s gaze. ” But I’m not sure if he’s in
the best state to receive visitors.”
Sophia’s brow furrowed. “We should go see him, Alexander,” she insisted, her voice firm with
determination. “He needs us.”
Alexander hesitated for a moment, weighing Sophia’s request against his own reservations. Despite his
lingering resentment towards Benjamin, he couldn’t deny Sophia’s concern for her friend. With a
resigned sigh, he nodded in agreement. “Alright, Sophia. Let’s go see him,” he relented, his voice
tinged with reluctant acquiescence.
As they arrived at the hospital, Alexander held Sophia’s hand possessively, his protective instinct
kicking in as they made their way to Benjamin’s room. Sophia nced up at him, her expression
softened by his touch, but she couldn’t shake off the unease brewing within her.
Upon entering the room, Sophia’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of Benjamin lying in the hospital
bed, his expression tense and guarded. She approached him tentatively, her concern evident in her
eyes as she asked him how he was feeling.
Benjamin forced a weak smile, trying to mask his frustration and difort. ” I’m fine, Sophia. Just
d to be awake, “he replied, his voice strained with the effort.
Sophia lingered beside Benjamin’s bed, her heart heavy with worry as she gazed at him, searching his
eyes for any sign offort. “Benjamin, I want you to know that I’m here for you,” she said softly, her
voice filled with genuine concern. “If you need anything, anything at all, just let me know.”
Benjamin managed a weak smile, though his eyes betrayed the turmoil within. “Thanks, Sophia. I
appreciate it, “he replied, his tone tinged with gratitude despite the bitterness festering in his heart.
Before their conversation could deepen, Alexander’s voice cut through the tension like a sharp de,
his suggestion piercing the air.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.
“I think it’s best if we let Benjamin rest for now. He needs time to recover,” he said, his tone firm yet
tinged with understanding.
Sophia hesitated, her gaze torn between her concern for Benjamin and Alexander’s insistence on
giving him space.
“But I don’t want to leave him alone. What if he needs something?” she countered, her voiceced with
worry.
Alexander’s touch was reassuring as he ced a hand on her shoulder, his gaze steady.
“I’ve arranged for a caregiver to look after him. He’ll be in good hands,”
Reluctantly, Sophia nodded, her eyes flickering with uncertainty as she cast onest worried nce at
Benjamin lying in the hospital bed. With a heavy sigh, she followed Alexander out of the room, the
weight of guilt settling in her chest like a stone.
As they made their way down the hospital corridor, Sophia’s mind buzzed with thoughts of Benjamin’s
well-being, her heart heavy with the burden of responsibility.
“I hope he’ll be okay,” she murmured to herself, her words lost in the quiet hum of the hospital.
Meanwhile, Benjamin’s anger smoldered just beneath the surface as he watched Sophia leave with
Alexander, his resentment burning bright in the dim hospital room.
“Damn you, Alexander,” he muttered under his breath. “You won’t keep her from me.”