Alexis kissed Cordelia tenderly, offering comfort. "Your dad will be here with you."

Passing Cordelia to Leonel, she reassured, "I'll return around four. There will be assistance available, and meals will be delivered to you."

Leonel nodded with an indifferent attitude.

Alexis regarded him silently for a moment before breaking into a smile once more.

Descending the stairs, she climbed into her car and drove away from the hospital. Contrary to her usual routine, she didn't head to the law firm. In fact, there were no urgent matters awaiting her attention. She simply wanted to grant Leonel and Cordelia some alone time. Sensing Leonel's reluctance to hold Cordelia in her presence, she chose to give them space.

The car pulled over to the side of the road.

Leaning back, Alexis rested her head against the seat.

Chasing after Leonel had become an ingrained instinct for Alexis, cultivated since childhood; setbacks were mere bumps on her path, her optimistic spirit undeterred.

But they both failed to realize that Alexis was no longer the same person she once was.

She had been through too much.

She didn't know how much more of Leonel's rejection her newfound courage could endure.

She wandered outside for a long while. When she returned to the hospital at half past three in the afternoon, Leonel was no Longer there.

The servant appeared slightly anxious as she relayed the news to Alexis.

Alexis had anticipated this. She tenderly caressed Cordelia's head, offering silent solace to ease her disappointment.

Cordelia lifted her gaze, her young face clouded with disappointment.

"Daddy, Daddy..." she called out.

Holding her in his arms, Alexis comforted her in a soft voice, "He'll come to visit you soon."

However, days passed, and Cordelia didn't catch a glimpse of Leonel.

Alexis, too, found herself without sight of him.

Two weeks later, a servant from Leonel's residence called Alexis in a distraught tone. "Miss Fowler, please come quickly. Mr. Douglas has been drinking heavily. Dr. Glyn is unavailable, and Miss Rivera is away on a business trip. We can't get him to stop, and he seems unwell."