Chapter 729

Evelyn withdrew her hand, no longer insisting on examining his injuries.

Alexander turned his head away, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I suppose I've long lost any dignity in your eyes."

He touched the bruise on his chin, his lips curling into a self-deprecating smile.

This was perhaps the most disheveled he'd been in his thirty years.

"Your leg is badly injured," Evelyn said softly. "It might be a bone issue."

Alexander stiffened.

Not just fractured—misaligned. No wonder every step felt like walking on knives.

"You need to go to the hospital," Evelyn stood. "I'm not an orthopedic specialist, and a family doctor can't handle this. Plus, you're still running a fever. You need IV antibiotics."

"Give me a moment," he rasped. "I haven't slept since yesterday."

Evelyn took in the dark circles under his eyes and turned to pour him a glass of water.

Alexander drained it in one go.

She refilled it. "Where have you been all this time? We searched all of Hudson City. We even thought—" She paused. "Margaret and Andrew were frantic."

"I went somewhere," Alexander's voice was hoarse. "Somewhere Lydia might circle back to."

Evelyn's pupils constricted. "The mountains?"

No wonder the police found no leads. Everyone assumed he'd perished in the fire. Who would've guessed he'd trekked to that remote village?

"It was urgent. I couldn't notify anyone," Alexander massaged his temples. "Once I reached the village, I couldn't risk leaks. Lydia is more dangerous than her father. She has mercenaries on her payroll."

"The villagers—are they alright?"

"All safe." A faint smile touched his lips. "Elder Thompson and the nurses sent their regards. If not for the construction crew and medical team covering for me, I'd have been exposed. And that volunteer teacher—"

His words trailed off as his eyelids grew too heavy to lift.

Evelyn didn't press further, gently steadying his swaying frame.

There would be time for answers later.

Alexander leaned into her embrace, his breathing gradually evening out. It was the first proper sleep he'd had in half a month.

Evelyn studied his gaunt profile, feeling as though lifetimes had passed.

"Mr. Hamilton—" Emily pushed the door open and immediately fell silent at the sight.

Evelyn pressed a finger to her lips, gesturing to the sleeping Alexander.

Emily nodded, silently mouthing her report before tiptoeing in with a blanket. Watching Alexander's peaceful expression, she mouthed to Evelyn: "The last time he looked this relaxed was when he stayed with you at the hospital."

Now the roles were reversed.

Evelyn lightly touched his feverish forehead. As she moved to fetch medicine, his fingers weakly clutched her sleeve.

"Don't go..."

She sat back down, signaling to Emily: "Tell Margaret we'll go to the hospital when he wakes."

By dusk, Alexander finally stirred.

Evelyn was bent over, examining his leg.

"Awake?"

"Mmm." His voice was still thick with sleep. "My leg..."

"The fracture wasn't treated in time. The bones are misaligned." She rolled down his pant leg. "You'll need surgery to reset the pins."

"Wheelchair?"

"Your left leg has a stress fracture too," Evelyn said firmly. "Unless you want a permanent limp."

"..."

In the hospital corridor, the orthopedic chief shook his head at the scans.

"The burns were treated promptly, but the fracture is severely displaced. Absolute bed rest—no weight-bearing at all..."

Evelyn took careful notes while Alexander kept his gaze fixed on her profile.

An ancient saying claimed that a day apart felt like three years. These past weeks had stretched longer than a lifetime.

As for the injuries...they would heal.

As long as she was here.