Chapter 26

• He held her close, her fragile body limp in his arms, as he stepped into his mansion. Every step he took echoed through the silent hallways. Her face rested against his chest, pale and still, her breathing shallow — and it felt as if every beat of his heart was begging her to wake up.
• The butler came running, startled by the sight. Alejandro didn’t look at him; his voice was sharp, commanding — “Call the doctor. Bring warm towels. Now.”
• Without waiting for a response, he carried her upstairs, straight to his bedroom — the one room no one dared to enter without his permission. He laid her down gently on his bed, brushed a few strands of hair from her face, and for a moment… just stared at her.