Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 179

Chapter 179: Awake
The next morning, Emma stirred, her body instinctively reaching for the warmth beside her—only to find the space empty.

Her eyes fluttered open, and she frowned slightly when she saw that Alex wasn’t in bed.

She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes before glancing toward the bathroom. The door was open, and the lights were off Indicating that he wasn’t there either.

Pushing the covers aside, she swung her legs over the bed and stood up. Maybe he was in the hallway? Where could he have gone so early in the morning?

Padding toward the door, she stepped out, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet as she looked around, half expecting to see Alex.

A faint murmur of a voice, however, drifted up from downstairs.

Curious, Emma made her way down, her heart warming at the familiar sound of Alex’s deep, steady tone. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she spotted him standing near the living room window, his phone pressed to his ear.

Something about his stance was tense, focused. She stopped, to listen wanting to know the kind of call that had woken him up so early.

“…Yes, I want extra security at the house and wherever she goes.”

Hearing that, Emma blinked, realization washing over her as it dawned on her the call was about her.

“I don’t care if it seems excessive,” Alex continued, his tone firm. “She saw Vanessa. I’m not taking any chances.”

Emma’s heart clenched when she heard the weight of worry his voice carried. He was doing this for her.

“I want a detailed report on movements near her location. Anyone suspicious, I want to know everything immediately.”

A soft smile touched her lips as she walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her cheek against his back.

Alex stiffened for a moment, clearly startled, before he turned slightly, relaxing when he realized it was her. He ended the call and immediately pulled her into a proper hug.

After watching her peaceful face earlier that morning, he had decided to start making preparations to keep her safe.

“You scared me,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head.

Emma chuckled. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

He pulled back slightly, searching her face. “Did you sleep well?”

She nodded. “I did.” Then, glancing toward his phone, she added, “And I heard your conversation.”

Alex sighed. “Emma—”

She placed a hand on his chest, looking up at him. “You don’t have to worry so much.”

His jaw tightened. “I’ll worry, as long as she’s still out there. I can only relax when I know for sure that you’re safe and she’s arrested.”

Her heart swelled at his words. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For caring and for always protecting me.”

He exhaled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s not just about protecting you, Emma,” he said, his voice laced with emotion. “I’m protecting myself too.”

She frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”

His eyes darkened with raw honesty. “Because if something happened to you, I wouldn’t survive it. I thought I told you that already.

He tightened his grip on her. “That’s why I have to make sure nothing ever happens to you. Not this time. This time, we’ll catch Vanessa before she gets anywhere near you. I promise.”

Her chest ached with emotions she couldn’t put into words. She reached up, cupping his face as she whispered, “I love you, Alex.”

His eyes softened, his lips curving slightly as he leaned down. “I love you too.”

As he kissed her forehead, a thought flickered in her mind—Jake could never have loved me like this. Not the way Alex does and neither would he be trying to matchmake them?

With a small smile, she nudged him playfully. “Come on, we should go back upstairs. You need to get ready for work.”

Alex smirked. “You’re right. But I wouldn’t mind staying here like this for a little longer.”

She laughed, lacing her fingers with his as they walked back upstairs together.

Away from there, the room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn to keep the early morning sunlight from spilling in.

A faint trail of smoke curled toward the ceiling as Chloe paced back and forth, her bare feet making no sound against the plush carpet.

She took a long drag from her cigarette, exhaling slowly as her nerves coiled tighter with each passing second.

Derek, lying half-naked on the bed with his head propped up against the pillows, watched her with an amused smirk. His toned chest rose and fell steadily, a stark contrast to Chloe’s restless energy.

“Chloe,” he drawled lazily, “you need to relax. Everything is under control.”

Her sharp gaze snapped to him. “How the hell can you say that?” she snapped, dragging another inhale from the cigarette. “That Matthew guy is suspecting me, and I haven’t heard from the people we sent to Sherlock’s house.”

Derek sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “How do you even know he suspects you? Didn’t you convince him well enough?”

Chloe hesitated, then exhaled sharply. “I did, but—”

“If you did, then there are no buts,” Derek cut in smoothly. “It’s natural for a lawyer to be inquisitive. If he truly suspected you, he wouldn’t have left so calmly.”

Chloe bit her lip, considering his words. Was she just being paranoid?

“But the guys— I haven’t heard from them—”

Derek shook his head and reached for his phone. “Let me handle it.”

Chloe watched as he dialed a number, her free hand clenched into a fist. Her whole plan hinged on this working smoothly. If Sherlock survived—if that will surfaced—they’d be finished. So she needed to be sure everything went according to plan.

Derek spoke in hushed tones, nodding occasionally before hanging up.

“Well?” Chloe demanded.

He tossed his phone onto the nightstand and stretched lazily. “They said they did the job correctly. The only problem is, he didn’t give them the will.”

Chloe’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean he didn’t give them the will? It wasn’t in his house? His office?”

Derek shook his head. “Nope. Nowhere to be found.”

A wave of frustration surged through her, and she ground her cigarette into the ashtray beside the bed. “Then what the hell are we supposed to do?”

Derek smirked. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?!” she asked in disbelief, wondering why he was so relaxed.

He chuckled. “We don’t need the actual will. Chloe? Have you forgotten? Sherlock already made reference to it in the suicide note. The damage is done. The will, whatever is inside would be considered nullified and void now.”

Chloe blinked. Then, slowly, her lips curled into a smirk.

“You’re right! Why didn’t I think of that?” she murmured, finally stopping her pacing.

Derek patted the space beside him. “Because you’re too busy stressing over things I’ve already taken care of.” His voice dipped into a teasing lilt. “Now, stop worrying your pretty head and come back to bed.”

Chloe hesitated for only a moment before she slid onto the bed beside him, letting his arm pull her into his warmth.

For now, things were still in their favor. And she wasn’t going to let one overcurious lawyer change that.

**************

A sharp ringing of his phone shattered the quiet of the early morning, pulling Matthew out of his sleep.

He groaned, his hand fumbling around the nightstand until he found his phone. Squinting at the screen, his tired eyes focused on the caller ID. It was the number of the man assigned to watch over Mr. Sherlock where he had taken him too.

Immediately, he was wide awake as he wondered what the call was about.

He swiped to answer, bringing the phone to his ear. “Hello?” His voice was still thick with sleep, but there was urgency in his tone.

“Mr. Lewis,” the man on the other end spoke quickly, “Mr. Sherlock is awake.”

Matthew sat up so fast his head spun. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, sir. He just regained consciousness a few minutes ago. The nurse are with him now.”

Matthew ran a hand over his face, clearing the fog of sleep. This was it. He had been waiting for this moment. If Mr. Sherlock was truly awake and coherent, then maybe—just maybe—he could finally get the answers he needed.

“I’ll be there soon,” he said firmly before ending the call.

Throwing off the covers, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and got up. His mind raced as he moved through his morning routine. As he splashed cold water on his face, he told himself that today could change everything.

If Mr. Sherlock could confirm who attacked him, it would be the breakthrough he needed.

If he could confirm that the will was forged, Hunter’s case could take a turn for the better.

But there was also a risk.

What if Sherlock was too scared to talk? Or worse—what if the people who tried to kill him had already threatened him into silence?

Matthew exhaled deeply, gripping the edge of the sink. There was only one way to find out.

Within minutes, he was dressed and ready to leave. Grabbing his car keys, he stepped out into the cool morning air.

He just hoped that today would bring him the truth he had been searching for.