Alessio grabbed Ashley's records and headed off to her room. He didn't know what he would say to her when he get there. All he knew was he had to end anything that was going on between them. She was his patient and the only relationship they have should be one of a patient and doctor.

A professional relationship.

From now on, he would address her as Ms. Valldarri. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Nothing will ever happen between the two of them. Both of them had enough on their plates. How could they ever love each other when some many things had happened?

Alessio didn't know how much it would take before both of them falls. He didn't know if he would be able to love her the way she deserved to be loved. He didn't know if she would accept the person he was, the person he had to become.

One thing Alessio knew for sure though.

He would never stop protecting her.

"Dr. Morcelli, may I talk to you for a second?"

The voice was familiar but he hadn't heard it in over five years. Alessio stopped and turned around. He gripped the clipboard tighter in his hands.

"Xavier." he said with a nod.

Xavier Angelo Morcelli, the twenty-six year old bachelor who is his cousin from his father's side.

The last time Alessio saw Xavier had been at Sophia's wedding. It was the last day that he saw anyone from his family.

Xavier leaned against the wall, arms crossed against his chest. "It's been a long time hasn't it?"

"Five years." Alessio responded.

Xavier moved away from the wall and towards him. "Do you have time to talk?"

"No," Alessio said coldly, "I have to check on my patient."

"It won't take long. Three minutes of your time is all I'm asking for." Xavier said raising his eyebrows up.

Alessio looked at him with no emotion on his face. "I said no." He turned around and began to walk away.

"I know who killed Sophia and Matteo."

Alessio stopped. His hands curled into a fist, turning his knuckles white. His nails dug into his skin and his breathing became ragged. He turned around. His eyes burned with fury. "Talk."

Xavier looked around and nodded his head. "Is there a place where we can talk in private?"

Alessio pulled him into the elevator and closed the door. He pressed a button, locking the doors, and turned towards Xavier. His hands reached out and grabbed onto Xavier's collar. "Talk. Now."

Xavier didn't seem fazed. He merely took off Alessio's hand and readjusted his shirt. "The De Luca family."

Alessio's body stiffened upon hearing the name. A picture came onto his mind. The image of the man standing over his sister while she sobbed over her dead husband. The man shot her while she mourned for the lost of her soul mate.

"Rafael de Luca." Alessio hissed.

Xavier nodded his head. "How did you know?"

Alessio stayed silent.

Understanding flashed through Xavier's eyes. "You crossed paths with him before, haven't you?"

"I did."

Xavier nodded his head. "When and how?"

Alessio didn't answer him and ignored the question completely. "Find him."

"We're working on it."

Alessio slammed his fist on a different button and the door reopened. "I want to be the one who ends him and his family." He said coldly, walking out of the elevator.

"We'll be in touch." Xavier answered.

Alessio nodded his head. A hand dropped itself on his shoulder. He turned around and saw Xavier smiling sympathetically at him.

"I heard you're talking care of Sophia and Matteo's daughter." Pain coursed through his eyes. "Can I come see her?"

Alessio looked at him. Xavier had been the only person in the family who understood enough to stay away. Yet, he was always in the background making sure everything was okay. Nothing mattered more to Xavier than family.

Alessio sighed, knowing it was time for Sophie to meet her other family. "How is Marco?"

Xavier chuckled. "Married. He got married a few weeks ago. She just announced that she was pregnant three days ago. "

Alessio saw a yearning look in Xavier's eyes. "And you?"

"I don't need a woman in my life nor a baby." Xavier's voice was angry and hostile but his eyes held another story.

Alessio nodded his head. "I'll bring Sophie around next week."

The anger seemed to leave Xavier upon hearing that. He smiled and slapped his hand against Alessio's back. "Good."

.

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.

"How is she?" Alessio asked Dr. Morgan, standing outside of Ashley's room.

"She's good. Her vitals are where they're supposed to be. She doesn't seem to be in much trauma." Dr. Morgan responded, looking at Ashley's door.

Alessio nodded his head and glanced down at her charts. "She might be able to make it after the surgery."

"Who's going to perform it?"

Alessio looked up at her. "I am."

Dr. Morgan gasped. "But you haven't performed one in—"

"It doesn't matter. I'm the only one she trusts." Alessio grabbed the doorknob and turned it.

"Good morning Ms. Valldarri." He said.

Ashley looked up at him and smiled. Alessio had to force down the smile that threatened to show up on his face. Seeing how closed off he became, Ashley's smile faltered. "Good morning Alessio."

"Dr. Morcelli." he corrected her, moving towards her bed. He looked at the machine and nodded his head. "Everything seems good."

Ashley frowned at him. "Listen Alessio, about what I said to you. I'm sorry."

Alessio glanced down at her and placed the charts down on the table. "Don't apologize."

Ashley grabbed his wrist as he turned to walk away. "Do you forgive me?"

Alessio chuckled emotionlessly. "There's nothing to forgive or to be sorry for."

"Why are you being so cold towards me then?" His heart dropped in his chest hearing how broken her voice was. "Alessio, I'm sorry for what I said to you. I felt alone and angry at myself. I'm sorry I took it out on you.

"It's not what you said." He said.

"Then what is it?" She gripped his wrist tighter. "Tell me Alessio."

Alessio gently pried her hand off of him. "Ms. Valldarri, you are my patient. I'm your doctor. Let's keep it that way."

"Alessio—"

"I'll check on you in a few hours. Rest for now. I have other patients who need my attention." Alessio turned away from her. His hands fisted again and he fought with all of his might to move away from her.

He would only hurt her in the end if he stayed. So for her sake and for his own, one of them had to walked away.

Alessio hated himself for being that one but it had to be done.

He got halfway out the door before she spoke up.

"Alessio."

He stopped and turned around. His eyes widened when he saw the file that she held in her hand. The file that he had forgotten to take with him. The one that contained all of her medical reports including her diagnosis.

One look at her face was all it took for him to realize that the truth is coming out even if she has to pry it out of him.

"What is this?" she asked, horrified. Tears began to slip down her face. "What's HELLP syndrome?

Alessio walked over and snatched the file out of her hand. "It's nothing."

"Don't lie to me! I know something is wrong with me. Just let me know already." she screamed at him.

"Ashley, nothing—"

"Don't give me that crap. Tell me the truth Alessio. What is wrong with my baby?"

He had never seen her look so angry and scared at the same time. Her eyes burned with fury while her lips and hands trembled in fear.

"Nothing is wrong with the baby." he said calmly.

"Then what is this?" she grabbed the file back and turned to the page where she saw it. "What does this mean?"

Alessio grabbed her hand, forgetting about the promise he made himself. "It's nothing that I won't be able to fix."

Ashley looked at him. The fury left her eyes and only pain remained. "Nothing is wrong with Isabella?"

Alessio looked down at her stomach and shook his head. "I promise you."

Ashley sighed and leaned back against the bed. She closed her eyes. A lone tear slipped down her cheek. "I'm dying aren't I?"

He caressed her face and shook his head even though she couldn't see him. "I won't let that happen."

"You'll save Isabella right?" she opened her eyes and looked into his. "No matter what happens, you'll make sure she's okay?"

"I promise."

"Even if I die?" Ashley whispered.

"Don't say that. You won't die. I won't let you." he said with determination.

"Alessio," she reached her hand out and touched his cheek. "Promise me that you'll save my daughter even if it means that I have to die."

He closed his eyes remembering Sophia. She made him promise to protect Sophie with all his life and she sacrificed herself for Sophie. In a way, Ashley put him in the same position as before. Save the baby and leave the mother to death.

He couldn't make the same promise twice. Once had been enough. His sister died in front of him.

He reopened them. "Ashley, please don't make me—"

"Promise me Alessio." she said sternly. She smiled at him. "I already got to live. Isabella deserves it. She already had to go through so much without even being born."

"I can't make this—"

"Please." she begged him. She sandwiched his hand with her own. "Please Alessio."

Alessio looked at the desperation on her face. The same desperation that Sophia had when she handed her daughter to him. He gulped. "I promise."

Ashley smiled in relief. She closed her eyes. "Thank you." she whispered.

Alessio nodded his head. He grabbed his file and prepared to walk away when the door slammed open. A woman ran in, out of breath.

He pulled out his gun and pointed it at the door while Ashley jumped up and held a pillow close to her chest.

"Ma'am I told you, you can't come in here—"

"Alessandra?" Ashley whispered.

Alessio turned the safety off and placed his hand over the trigger. "Who do you think you are, barging in this room?"

A nurse came into the room, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry Dr. Morcelli, she got through—"

Alessandra sighed in relief. "You're still alive."

Alessio narrowed his eyes at her.

"What do you mean?" Ashley stood up.

Alessio moved and pushed her gently behind him.

"He's after you." she whispered.

"Who is?" Alessio demanded, lowering the gun.

"He's here. He's coming in to take her. You have to—"

A gunshot rang through the air followed by a scream. Seconds later, an explosion happened. Alessio pulled his coat over his eyes and pushed Ashley to the ground. He cushioned her fall with his arm. A searing pain pierced through his body.

"Alessio!" Ashley shouted.

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