Alexander had just wrapped up his meeting when he checked his phone, his expression darkening at the multiple missed calls.

Nathan smirked, crossing his arms. "Told you. A little distance, and Amy comes crawling back. Desperation suits her."

"Give it time. She’ll drop the act soon enough."

Thirty minutes later, the elevator doors slid open.

Nathan stepped out first, Alexander following close behind.

Amy rose from her seat, her voice tentative. "Alexander—"

Nathan cut her off sharply. "Lex, we need to go. Victoria’s condition took a turn. You should see her now."

Alexander didn’t spare Amy a glance, brushing past her without hesitation.

She moved swiftly, blocking his path. "Just one minute—"

Nathan’s voice turned razor-sharp. "Amy, read the damn room. Victoria’s in trouble, and you’re standing here like a roadblock. Are you trying to make things worse? Where’s your conscience?"

Amy’s gaze remained steady. "Funny. You didn’t seem in such a hurry when you were mocking me earlier. What changed?"

Nathan scoffed. "Enough games, Amy. If anything happens to Victoria because of you, Lex won’t forgive you."

A humorless laugh escaped her. "Nathan, do I look like I have telekinesis? How exactly am I harming her from here?"

"Amy—" Alexander’s voice cut through, cold and final. "Enough."

His eyes flicked to Nathan. "Where is she? Now."

Amy’s fingers curled into her palms. "Alexander—"

His tone turned glacial. "If Victoria suffers because of your delay, I will hold you responsible."

Her grip slackened.

Alexander strode past her without another word.

Nathan shot her a triumphant smirk before following, the victor in this silent war.

Time wasn’t on Amy’s side. She needed to talk to Alexander about Samantha—and she had no idea when she’d get another chance.

Hailing a cab, she trailed them to the hospital, keeping her distance. She waited outside, biding her time. Once Alexander was done with Victoria, she’d approach him about Samantha.

Disrupting Victoria’s "recovery" wasn’t an option.

An hour later, the hospital room door finally opened.

Alexander stepped out, unsurprised to find her still there.

He walked past her as if she were invisible.

"Ale—"

His voice stopped her cold.

"Thought you said you’d never beg."

Her nails dug into her palms.

She wanted to snap back—if he hadn’t interfered with Samantha, she wouldn’t be here.

But she swallowed the words.

"Alexander, I need to talk about Samantha."

He didn’t slow his steps. "Mrs. Blackwood, if you’re asking for a favor, you should at least act like it."

A favor?

Her lips curled into a bitter smile.

He wanted her to grovel.

But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.