My CEO HUSBAND sign the divorce novel Chapter 216

Chapter 216: mystery keys

Alicia POV

Maria helped me freshen up and change into a fresh set of clothes.

The doctors said I would probably be discharged later today.

After she finished helping me, she stepped outside to handle the paperwork.

I lay back against the pillows, staring blankly at the white ceiling.

My mind felt empty.

A moment later, I heard movement near the door.

Assuming it was Alexander, I didn’t bother looking.

The person entered quietly.

The mattress dipped slightly beside me.

"Alicia, are you feeling alright?"

The familiar voice caught me off guard.

I turned immediately.

"Uncle Steve?"

I tried to sit up.

He quickly reached over to support me.

"Careful."

"I’m sorry, Uncle."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"You thought I was Alexander?"

I lowered my eyes.

The silence was an answer itself.

Steve sighed softly before taking my hand.

"I only found out what happened after Angela told me you were hospitalized."

His expression became more serious.

"Alicia, didn’t I tell you not to take Angela’s words to heart?"

Tears immediately burned behind my eyes.

"I tried, Uncle."

My voice trembled.

"I really tried."

"But then Lilian called me..."

Steve’s expression darkened.

"She called you?"

I nodded.

"She said the same things Aunt Angela said."

The tears I had been holding back finally spilled over.

"She said Grandma died because of me."

"She said if it wasn’t for me, none of this would’ve happened."

"She said Nana choose to meet her because of me."

Steve’s grip on my hand tightened slightly.

"Alicia."

His voice was firm.

"That was exactly what Lilian wanted."

I looked up at him.

"What do you mean?"

"She wanted you to blame yourself."

"She wanted you to fall apart."

His expression hardened.

"What if something had happened to you yesterday?"

"What if something had happened to the baby?"

I lowered my head.

The guilt felt unbearable.

"I’m sorry, Uncle."

"You don’t owe me an apology."

His tone softened.

"Alicia, listen to me carefully."

"Your grandmother’s illness didn’t begin that night."

"What happened that night wasn’t your responsibility."

"The person who made the choice to confront Lilian was your grandmother."

I understood what he was trying to say but deep down the guilt was still there

"We’re all hurting." He added

"I lost my mother."

"Alexander lost his grandmother too."

"You lost the woman who loved and protected you."

He paused.

"But hurting yourself won’t honor her memory."

Fresh tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Nana wouldn’t want this."

"If she truly stood up for you that night, then the last thing she would want is for you to destroy yourself because of it."

My shoulders began to shake.

For the first time since everything happened, I cried openly in front of him.

Steve gently pulled me into an embrace.

"It’s okay."

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