Panic set in, and Alicia rushed out barefoot, ignoring the chill of the hospital floor. She pulled back the curtain and called, "Caden!"

He stopped mid-step and turned back, his eyes narrowing at the sight of her standing there, thinly dressed and unsteady. His expression tightened as he moved forward and scooped her up. “You're not well yet. Why rush out like this?"

Alicia wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him as though her life depended on it.

The damage was already done; anger wouldn't change that. All she wanted now was to reassure him, to erase his doubts.

“Caden, let them do a checkup," she whispered, abandoning her pride.

"Let them prove it to you, please.”

Caden placed her gently back on the bed, his hand covering her face, blocking her view of his expression.

"I trust you," he said, his voice low and steady. "There's no need for a checkup."

Alicia's heart twisted in confusion.

Did he really trust her?

Then why did his voice sound so strained, so heavy with an unspoken burden?

She didn't resent him for his doubt. “Please, Caden. Just let me get the checkup."

But his response remained the same. "It's unnecessary."

Her remaining strength ebbed away, and she let her eyes close, the weight of the moment pressing down on her.

Caden's trust didn't bring her relief.

Instead, it suffocated her, like an unseen force tightening around her chest.

Caden didn't leave right away.

He stayed by Alicia's side until she drifted off, watching her features soften as sleep took hold. Only then did he close his own eyes, but exhaustion gnawed at him relentlessly.

He was drained. After days and nights of constant work, he had barely slept for half an hour over the past 48 hours.

Even a man of steel would falter under such pressure.

But sleep wouldn't come. Whether his eyes were open or shut, the scene at the hotel haunted him, replaying in excruciating detail.

Each thought sent a sharp pain through his chest.

Once he was sure Alicia was asleep, Caden stepped out of the room and found Hank waiting in the hallway.

Hank lowered his voice. "All the reporters have been taken care of. We've confiscated all recordings and photos. The Moss family stepped in to help suppress the news. This morning's incident won't reach the public."