The entire hospital wing had been cleared for Alexander and Victoria's exclusive use, leaving the corridors hauntingly quiet. The sterile silence was abruptly shattered by approaching footsteps that echoed ominously through the empty hallway.

Amy's pulse quickened, her body tensing as she pressed herself deeper into the fire exit alcove. The measured steps passed dangerously close to her hiding spot. She didn't dare breathe, let alone peek out. Only when she heard the distant click of a door closing did she finally exhale and emerge.

Moving like a shadow, she crept toward Victoria's private suite. Her own reflection in the glass door startled her - the image of a trembling woman who looked every bit the intruder. The irony wasn't lost on her. Here she was, Alexander's legal wife, sneaking around like a criminal while Victoria waltzed in and out of his life with arrogant entitlement.

Victoria's importance in Alexander's world had never been in question. One phone call and he came running. Why hadn't Amy, as his wife, ever demanded boundaries? Because some part of her always knew she could never measure up to Victoria in his eyes.

The murmur of voices from inside the room snapped her back to reality. "Alex, you didn't need to come straight from the airport. Tomorrow would have been perfectly fine," Victoria's melodic voice floated through the door.

After a beat, that familiar baritone responded, "I heard you left the hospital today?"

Amy's stomach twisted into knots. He'd come directly to Victoria after his business trip. And she'd actually entertained the thought that Victoria might be exaggerating her condition.

The sharp tang of disinfectant burned her nostrils as the conversation continued. "Just needed to stretch my legs after being cooped up here. Nothing to fuss over," Victoria said breezily. Then her tone shifted, turning conspiratorial. "Speaking of which... Since Samantha apologized, maybe you could go easier on her? She is Amy's friend, after all."

Alexander's noncommittal hum sent chills down Amy's spine. She knew that tone - if he hadn't already taken action against Samantha, his silence meant he wouldn't.

A crushing weight settled on Amy's chest. Dominic had lied to her! The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth from how hard she was clenching her jaw.

CRASH! The sound of something shattering made Amy jump. "Oh Alex, I'm so sorry! I've ruined your jacket!" Victoria's faux-distressed voice followed.

His jacket? Amy's breath caught. Despite her focus on violin, she'd always had an artistic flair. For Alexander's last birthday, she'd spent months designing and handcrafting a bespoke leather jacket for him.

She'd never forget his reaction - the rare, genuine smile, the way his eyes had softened when he tried it on. That night, he'd kissed her with unexpected passion, breaking his usual emotional restraint. It had felt like a turning point in their marriage.

Now, peering through the narrow window, she saw her lovingly crafted gift - stained and discarded on the floor like trash. The sight hit her like a physical blow, stealing the breath from her lungs.