Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 187

Chapter 187: Surprise!!
Emma’s knee bounced as she stared out the window, her fingers clenching into fists. The whole ride, her mind was on Alex and how he could probably be feeling.

“What happened, Vee? How did he manage to get into an accident? When did it happen?” she asked breathlessly and Ivy sighed.

“Calm down a little, Em. At this rate, you’re just going to fall sick or have an high blood pressure…..”

“But you said it was bad,” Emma cut in and Ivy nodded.

“I know what I said. I said it was bad because he is still unconscious not because the injuries are severe or anything. Claire and Chris are there, so relax, okay?” Ivy said but Emma shook her head.

“I can’t relax. Not when everyone else is there but me. How am I even the last to find out about this?” she asked, tears almost spilling down her cheeks.

“Its exactly because of this worry you’re showing that made us not tell you. Claire wanted to wait until Alex was awake but I convinced her otherwise. So just relax. He’ll be fine,” Ivy said, squeezing Emma’s hands in a comforting manner, and she exhaled.

Though she knew Ivy was only trying to comfort her, she couldn’t help the worry surging inside of her at Ivy’s words.

They were meant to comfort her but instead, it sort of set off an alarm inside her head. Why would they think of not letting her know in the first place? How could they think she didn’t need to know because she’d be worried?

Wasn’t it natural to worry when someone you loved was involved in some sort of trouble? Or was it serious? Was the situation life threatening? Was that why they had considered not telling her?

She shook her head not wanting to think the worst. She’d take Ivy’s word for it since overthinking things was making her feel like she was going to run mad any moment soon.

Ivy had said he was just unconscious and not in a critical condition so she could relax small. She thought as she sighed and turned to look ahead.

She frowned when she saw Ivy pulling up in front of a huge, fancy building.

What was going on and why were they pulling up here instead of the hospital? Emma mused, her frown deepening as confusion clouded her mind.

Instead of questioning herself when she knew she didn’t know what was happening, she turned to Ivy.

“Why are we stopping here?” she asked impatiently.

Ivy shifted in her seat, looking almost too calm. “Claire asked me to pick something up from the art gallery owner.”

Emma’s frown deepened. “What? What’s so important that she can’t pick it up later or ask someone else?” she asked, her stomach twisting uneasily.

Something wasn’t right. First Ivy had made her get dressed and in a black gown and now she was stopping at an art gallery that seems like it had just been built. Thinking about it all, It almost felt like Ivy was stalling.

But why?

“Why is no one telling me anything?” she demanded before Ivy could respond to her first question. “Ivy, is Alex okay? You’re stalling, right? What’s going on?”

Ivy sighed, her expression unreadable. “What do you mean stalling and that no one is telling you anything? Claire texted you. You just didn’t see it. She texted you first, Em.”

Emma’s heart skipped. “She… texted me?” she asked and Ivy nodded.

“You can check your phone and see.”

Emma quickly pulled out her phone, her hands shaking as she scrolled through her messages.

Sure enough, there was a message from Claire.

[Emma, can you and Ivy stop by the gallery to pick something up for me? It’s urgent. I’ll text you address.]

She had been so panicked about Alex that she hadn’t even seen it. Maybe it was because she hadn’t replied that’s why Claire had texted Ivy instead.

She let out a shaky breath. “Maybe I was just too worried…”

Ivy gave her an encouraging nod. “Exactly. So let’s just grab this thing and go. So, you’ll see him and stop being overly worried.”

Emma still felt uneasy, but she nodded. “Fine. The sooner we get this, the sooner we get to Alex.”

She stepped out of the car and followed Ivy toward the entrance.

As soon as they reached the door, the lights went out and Emma froze.

Her breath caught in her throat, her heartbeat thudding. Her mind immediately jumped to the worst as thoughts of seeing Vanessa the other day crossed her mind.

Could Vanessa had followed them here?

“Oh my God,” she whispered, her chest tightening. “Ivy—”

Ivy pulled out her phone and turned on the flashlight. “Relax. It’s probably just a technical issue. As we can see, it’s a new place. Maybe the owner wants to leave or something.”

Emma swallowed hard, forcing herself to breathe.

The person was leaving for the day. Right.

But why did it feel like something was off? It was barely 6 pm yet everywhere was dark.

Ivy led the way, and Emma followed, her nerves on edge.

As they stepped past the lobby into the main reception, the lights suddenly flickered back on.

Emma blinked against the sudden brightness and then—a loud echo followed.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!”

Emma stumbled back in shock before adjusting her eyes to the lights. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight before her.

People—so many people—stood in the grand space, clapping and cheering. There were balloons, banners, a beautifully decorated cake on the center table.

And right in the middle of it all was the man she’d been worried sick about.

Alexander Sterling, her husband, standing tall, smiling, and completely fine.

Emma’s entire world spun and her breath hitched.

Her mind couldn’t catch up as she stared back at his gray eyes.

For a long moment, she just stood there, frozen, unable to speak, and unable to move.

This… this wasn’t real. This had to be a dream.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Ivy grinned beside her. “Surprise.”

Emma’s lips parted, but no words came out. Her hands shook as her knees felt weak.

Her Alex was okay. So, he was fine. He wasn’t in an accident and he wasn’t unconscious? He wasn’t even in an hospital.

He was here. Looking at her with that soft, knowing smile with love shining in his eyes.

The realization crashed over her like a tidal wave. Tears burned her eyes. All these had been done just to surprise her?

“You…” Her voice broke. “You’re okay.”

Alex took a step forward, his eyes filled with warmth. “Of course I am.”

Emma let out a half-laugh, half-sob, covering her mouth with her hands.

Relief flooded through her so fast it was overwhelming. She had been so scared and for a moment had even thought—

She shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks.

And then, without thinking, she ran straight into his arms.