Chapter 18
Robert’s action was meant to shock Alexander, hoping he would think clearly.
The door closed and the villa fell back into darkness Alexander was stunned by those sentences.
No one would like someone without responsibility, so he couldn’t continue being pathetic.
He directly ignored the fact that Sophia would never like him again.
The next day he returned to work, once again using work to ease his longing for Sophia.
At this time, Victoria was downstairs from his company. After the apology conference, her father had scolded her and kept her locked at home for most of the year.
When she got out, she heard Alexander wasn’t in Manhattan. Now finally getting news of him, she came directly.
Victoria’s heart had been filled with hatred. She’d once loved him, but since he’d heartlessly aborted their child, her heart was consumed by resentment.
She’d never forget the feeling of the child flowing out of her body. Though anesthetized and feeling no physical pain, her heart was agonizing.
The arranged marriage had been their mutual agreement, the child was conceived together, and deceiving Sophia involved him too.
Why was she the only one punished while Alexander got off scot-free?
She absolutely wouldn’t allow it.
Victoria had been sitting in her car since morning with her eyes fixed on the building entrance, watching Alexander enter.
At 10 PM, Alexander emerged and went to the parking garage.
Victoria, seeing him instantly, gripped the steering wheel tightly and when his car emerged, she floored the accelerator and crashed hard into him, creating a tremendous crash that destroyed both cars beyond recognition.
Witnesses called ambulances immediately.
At the hospital, Victoria only had fractures and would recover with rest.
Alexander wasn’t so fortunate-severely injured, he lay in the hospital for over six months before waking, and when he opened his eyes to the ward with memories gradually returning, his first
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thought was why didn’t that kill him, because waking up to face a world without Sophia meant he might as well be dead, yet heaven seemed determined to keep him conscious for penance, not allowing him to die so easily.
Catherine saw him open his eyes and immediately called the doctor through tears.
After examination, there were no major problems, just that his leg would limp when walking initially. With proper rehabilitation, he wouldn’t have permanent damage.
Hearing he might be permanently disabled, he showed no emotional change.
He didn’t ask who hit him. Catherine spoke first, saying it was Victoria who hit him out of hatred for aborting the child, and that Robert had arranged for her to get life imprisonment.
Alexander wasn’t surprised-she should hate him. After all his despicable acts, this was his comeuppance.
Over the next few days, he underwent rehabilitation at the hospital.
Suddenly one day, checking the date, he realized tomorrow was Sophia’s birthday.
He immediately called his assistant to book a flight to her inn.
Hearing this, the assistant knew he was going to find Sophia and immediately advised, “Mr. Sterling, your leg can’t handle travel yet. Wait until you’re healed.”
Alexander said, “Tomorrow is her birthday. I promised to spend every birthday with her. I can’t break my word again. If you won’t book it, I’ll do it myself I’m definitely going.”
Knowing he couldn’t dissuade him, the assistant agreed. Alexander also instructed, “Don’t tell my parents.”
Early the next morning, Alexander took a flight to her place despite his condition, with his assistant accompanying him out of concern.
After landing, he went to a cake shop and insisted on going himself despite his assistant’s offer to buy it, and by afternoon when everything was ready he nervously carried the cake to the B&B, but when he didn’t see her, he asked the receptionist who was shocked to see him appear.
When Alexander asked again, she replied, “She went to the beach…”
Before she could finish, Alexander hurried toward the beach with the cake.
The receptionist noticed his limp only then.
At the beach, Alexander had his assistant wait outside while he walked onto the sand, immediately
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spotting the familiar figure sitting there.
He tried to maintain normal steps despite the pain in his left leg, then knelt before her, enduring the pain.
Sophia was somewhat surprised to see him, more puzzled than anything, but the next second
Alexander answered her confusion.
He placed the exquisite cake before her, saying softly, “Sophia, happy birthday. I promised to spend every birthday with you.’
Hearing this, Sophia paused as Alexander opened the cake and inserted candles.
He clumsily sang happy birthday, then asked her to make a wish.
Under his urging gaze, Sophia closed her eyes.
Alexander stared at her greedily from across the cake, not missing any opportunity because every look would be one less.
Though Sophia closed her eyes, she didn’t actually make a wish.
Wishes were ethereal things that wouldn’t come true-just comfort. She only needed to live well in the present, not needing such things.
After a few seconds, she opened her eyes to meet Alexander’s burning gaze.
She remained indifferent. When Alexander moved to cut the cake for her, Sophia spoke, “No need. I already ate cake today.”
Alexander’s motion stopped, knowing this was rejection. His heart bitter, he lowered his head to hide his stinging eyes and nodded heavily.
He knew he should leave now, because if he didn’t, Sophia would make him leave.
Thinking this, he smiled bitterly and said hoarsely, ‘Happy birthday. I wish you peace and happiness always.”
Then he stood up, controlling his steps as he turned to leave.
Suddenly Sophia’s voice came from behind. “Let this promise end this year.”
Alexander’s form stiffened as that tear finally fell.
He didn’t turn around, hoarsely replying “okay,” then hesitantly asking, “Now, when you remember… is it only painful?”
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He stood rigid, hands clenched, waiting for her a
After seconds or minutes-he couldn’t tell-Sopl
Alexander paused, his lips smiling as tears fell lik continued walking away.
That one sentence was enough. It would sustain h
After returning, doctors said his leg would never finding Sophia even if it meant permanent disabil again, only occasionally going to her area to secre
longing would subside-perhaps not until death.
Chapter 18
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.

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