Alexander's POV
The moment I stepped outside Elena's ward, the smile on my face slowly disappeared.
Somehow, I had lost an argument against both the woman I cared about and her doctor within the span of twenty minutes.
The hospital corridor remained unusually busy as nurses hurried from one ward to another while visitors quietly made their way through the hallways.
I slowly exhaled before reaching inside my suit jacket and touching the envelope resting within my breast pocket. It was still there.
Questions that had remained unanswered for more than twenty years rested quietly against my chest. Yet somehow, I found myself thinking about Elena instead.
Raziel's warning lingered quietly at the back of my mind. "The person you love the most may become the price."
I didn't know whether he was telling the truth or manipulating me for reasons I couldn't yet understand. But uncertainty had never been an excuse for carelessness.
An idea came to me. Before I could think better of it, I brought out my phone and dialed a familiar number.
The call connected almost immediately.
"Alexander?"
A faint smile appeared on my face.
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better. Grandfather refuses to let me leave his sight."
Despite everything that had happened, Hazel still sounded very much like herself.
"I don't believe he'll be changing his mind anytime soon."
She laughed softly from the other end of the line.
"Probably not. What made you call me?"
I leaned lightly against the wall.
"I want Elena somewhere I can protect her better."
Silence followed immediately.
"What happened?"
"Nothing happened."
And that was somehow the most troubling part.
"I've assigned security to her, but I still don't feel comfortable leaving her here alone."
Several moments passed before Hazel gasped softly.
"Then send her here!"
I blinked slightly.
"Excuse me?"
"Transfer her here! Our military hospital is more than capable of handling her condition and I'll finally get to spend time with her again."
There was no hesitation whatsoever in her voice.
"Besides," she continued excitedly, "I've missed her terribly and Grandfather loves her. If she's here, he'll probably forget that I'm his favorite granddaughter."
I couldn't help laughing softly. Somehow, I found myself liking the idea.
"I'll speak to her doctor."
After ending the call, I made my way back toward Elena's attending physician's office.
To my surprise, convincing him proved significantly easier than convincing Elena. After carefully reviewing the military hospital's facilities and consulting several specialists, he finally nodded his approval.
"The transfer can be arranged tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Mr. Blackwood, I refuse to release my patient immediately without further monitoring."
"..."
"She'll remain under observation for one more day before being transferred."
I nodded slowly.
"Thank you, doctor."
"Also," he adjusted his glasses before glaring slightly in my direction, "please stop attempting to abduct my patient."
"I wasn't abducting her."
"That's exactly what an abductor would say."
"..."
After thanking him once more, I returned to Elena's ward and informed her of the arrangements.
She looked genuinely surprised before slowly nodding her head.
"Hazel is waiting for me?"
"Very impatiently."
The corners of her lips slowly curved upward.
"Then I'll go."
Relief quietly settled within my chest. I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead before softly brushing several strands of hair away from her face.
"Get some rest."
She nodded obediently before quietly squeezing my hand. For several moments, neither of us spoke.
Somehow, I was beginning to realize that peace was becoming increasingly precious. I didn't know what tomorrow would bring. But I knew I wanted more moments like this.
After saying goodbye to her, I finally stepped outside the hospital. The cool evening breeze greeted me immediately.
My footsteps slowed when my eyes landed upon an elderly homeless man sitting quietly beneath a nearby tree. A lighter rested beside him.
For reasons I couldn't explain, I found myself walking toward him.
"Will you sell me your lighter?"
The old man blinked several times before smiling toothlessly at me.
"Depends on how much you're willing to offer, young man."
Slowly, I placed a neatly wrapped bundle of cash into his hands.
"Five thousand Farqus."
The old man's eyes widened immediately.
"You've overpaid."
"I know."
He stared at me for several moments before laughing happily and placing the lighter into my hand.
"Take good care of it. It's served me faithfully for many years."
"I'll do my best."
The old man extended his hand toward me.
"Pleasure doing business with you."
I shook his hand lightly.
"Likewise."
By the time I returned to the vehicle, Sebastian was already waiting outside looking unusually worried.
Before he could speak, I quietly extended my hand.
"The letter."
Without hesitation, he handed it over. I stared quietly at the weathered envelope resting in my hand. Twenty years of questions, grief and waiting rested within something so fragile.
Twenty years ago, I would've sacrificed anything to learn the truth about my mother. I would've searched every corner of the world if it meant finding even the slightest trace she had left behind.
But twenty years ago, I didn't know Elena. My thoughts drifted quietly to her smile, the warmth of her hand resting in mine and the future I wished to protect.
Then I remembered Raziel's warning. "The person you love the most may become the price."
The words lingered quietly within my mind.
Slowly, I reached inside my pocket and brought out the lighter.
Sebastian frowned slightly before looking between the lighter and the envelope in my hand.
"Master?"
I remained silent. My gaze remained fixed on the letter and for the first time in my life, I found myself unwilling to know the truth.
Without another word, I lit the lighter and held the small flame against the corner of the envelope.
Sebastian's eyes widened immediately.
"MASTER!"
The flames slowly consumed the yellowed paper while I silently watched it burn. I could almost feel twenty years disappearing before my eyes.
Perhaps there were answers written within that letter and perhaps there weren't. But there were things I was no longer willing to lose in exchange for answers.
By the time the flames reached my fingertips, I released what little remained of the envelope and watched the ashes scatter into the evening breeze.
Slowly, I turned toward Sebastian whose expression remained frozen in absolute disbelief.
A small smile finally appeared upon my lips.
"Ignorance is bliss."
Without another word, I entered the vehicle leaving Sebastian staring speechlessly at the ashes dancing quietly upon the wind.