Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 281

Chapter 281 What He Never Told Her

“The blade didn’t hit anything vital. Five stitches. I’ve already cleaned and dressed the wound.

Sullivan adjusted his glasses, but instead of stepping away, he lingered. Something about his expression made it obvious he wasn’t finished.

Elena noticed immediately. “If there’s something else, just say it.”

She needed to understand what was going on. Alexander had refused to call the police, refused to go to a hospital, and insisted on coming here instead. None of that felt normal, and her instincts told her Sullivan had the missing piece.

Half an hour later, Elena stepped quietly into the recovery room.

Alexander was already changed into a patient gown, lying still against the white sheets, his face pale under the soft overhead light. Without his usual composure and control, he looked almost unfamiliar, like someone who had finally run out of strength.

She pulled a chair closer and sat beside him, Sullivan’s earlier words replaying in her mind.

“Physically, he’ll be fine. What concerns me is his bipolar disorder. I’ve told him before, medication alone isn’t enough. He needs to slow down, manage stress, get real rest. If he keeps pushing like this, it’s going to spiral. I don’t know what he’s told you, but I’m responsible for my patient. You deserve to know.”

Bipolar disorder.

The words sat heavily in her chest.

She had never even considered it. But now, thinking back, everything lined up. The sudden shifts in his mood, the moments he seemed completely out of control, the way he would shut himself off without warning.

Her gaze stayed on his face, her thoughts tangled and unsettled.

Then his brow tightened slightly, like he was caught in a dream.

“Elena…” he murmured, his voice rough and low.

Before she could react, he tried to sit up.

The movement pulled at his stitches, and he inhaled sharply in pain.

Elena moved fast, pressing a hand against his shoulder to keep him down. “Hey, don’t. I’m right here. Just stay still.”

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15:25 Wed, May 20

Chapter 281 What He Never Told Here

Alexander’s eyes opened slowly.

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For a moment, he didn’t speak. He just looked at her, as if trying to make sure she was really there.

The soft light from the lamp fell across her face, and something in his expression something quieter, almost uncertain,

He didn’t look away. Not even for a second.

It made her feel oddly exposed.

“I’ll grab Sullivan,” Elena said, breaking the moment as she started to stand.

His hand closed around her wrist before she could move. “Don’t,” Alexander said, his voice low, “Just stay with me.”

He brought his other hand up to his temple, pressing lightly. “My head’s killing me.”

“Is it bad?” she asked, sitting back down immediately.

“It’s manageable,” he said, brushing it off.

“I’ll help,” she said, leaning closer.

Her fingers were cool as they settled against his temples, moving slowly in small circles. The tension in his expression eased almost immediately.

Alexander let out a quiet breath, his gaze drifting back to her face.

“You’re not dressed warm enough,” he said after a moment. “It’s been getting colder.”

He reached for her hand, wrapping it between his palms as if warming it without thinking.

That small gesture hit her harder than anything else that night. Something tight and uncomfortable twisted in her chest.

She couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Elena said quietly.

His eyes shifted slightly, but he didn’t answer. “Sullivan told me,” she continued. “Bipolar disorder isn’t something you have to hide. It can be managed.”

Still nothing. That silence stung more than anything.

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She didn’t try to soften anything, not the anger, not the fear, not even the jealousy that had been building inside her, and Alexander simply watched her in silence, his expression unreadable as he took in every word,

Realizing how much she had just said, Elena turned her head and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “You’re seriously unbelievable.”

“So you’d rather it was something terminal? Alexander asked.

“Of course not,” she snapped. “That’s not what I meant.”

Before she could say anything else, he pulled her into his arms.

She stiffened immediately. “Careful, your stitches!”

“Just for a second,” he said softly. “I haven’t slept properly in days.”

His arms tightened slightly, like he wasn’t willing to let go yet.

Elena hesitated, then adjusted her position so she wouldn’t put pressure on his injury, letting him hold her while keeping most of her weight off him.

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15:25 Wed, May 20

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