Chapter 125

Christiana’s POV.

As I walked Ethan up the steps to our hotel suite, his little hand in mine, a wave of relief washed over me. He looked up at the door with a small, proud smile, as if the weight of this moment meant something even to him. After days in the hospital, being back, albeit not yet home, felt like a blessing. Ethan’s surgery was behind us, and a hint of color was starting to return to his cheeks.

Emma bounded beside us, her energy bright and unrestrained. She had been Ethan’s little shadow since we left the hospital, always reaching out as if to make sure he was really there. I could see that Ethan was trying to be strong, but I knew his limits, and I wanted him comfortable, letting him recover without pressure.

“Ethan, you feelin‘ okay?” Emma asked, her eyes wide with concern, though a spark of curiosity flickered beneath.

He nodded, giving her a soft smile. “Yeah, Em. I’m fine. Just… tired.” He looked up at me, a little wrinkle forming between his brows. “Can we go inside?”

“Of course, sweetheart.” I leaned down, brushing a stray curl from his forehead. “Let’s get you settled.”

Alex was right behind us, holding the bags we’d brought from the hospital. He had barely left Ethan’s side since the surgery, and I couldn’t have been more grateful. His presence had been a steadying force through every tear and every shaky sigh. Having him here was a reminder that I didn’t have to shoulder everything alone.

“Hey, champ,” Alex said to Ethan, a faint smile softening his usually firm gaze. “You want me to carry you to the bed?”

Ethan looked torn, pride and fatigue battling in his expression. “I can walk,” he insisted, but his voice was soft, betraying how exhausted he was.

I gave Alex a knowing glance, and he nodded. “Of course you can. But it’s okay to take a little break,” I said, running my hand gently down his arm.

He seemed to consider it, and finally, with a small nod, he reached out for Alex, who lifted him effortlessly. Alex’s face softened, his usual boldness melting as he cradled Ethan with such care. Emma followed us inside, her small hand wrapped around mine as we made our way to the suite’s bedroom.

Once there, Alex laid him gently on the bed, arranging the pillows so he could sit up comfortably. Ethan gave a soft sigh as he settled in, his eyes already drooping a bit.

“Better?” Alex asked, brushing a hand over Ethan’s hair.

Ethan nodded, his small voice almost a whisper. “Thanks, Dad.”

placing my hand on his. “You don’t have to worry about anything now, sweetheart. Just rest. We’ll

he were made of glass. She looked at him with such care that it made my heart swell. “You want me

faint smile. “Okay. But not a long

open to a well–worn page. She began reading, her little voice filling the room with a familiar story about

comforting silence between us, a sense of unity that hadn’t been there before. I felt

his voice low and filled with pride

if only for a moment. “He gets that

think he gets more from you than you realize.

something unspoken in his eyes, a gratitude, a respect that made me feel like maybe, just

Chapter 125

of this.

and Emma, sensing his fatigue, closed the book softly. “Night, Ethan,” she

heart swelling as I

we were back in the

would’ve done this without you,” I whispered, my voice trembling

I’m

of my eyes. I hadn’t realized how much I’d needed to

for Alex’s presence. I hadn’t expected him to be there through it all. After so much pain, the steady comfort of him

seemed different, his face shadowed with a hesitance I hadn’t seen in years. He took a step closer, reaching for

almost pleading. “There’s something I need to say. I know you haven’t brought it

gaze. I already knew where this was going, and suddenly, every inch of me wanted to

I did with her, every choice I made that tore us apart…it was wrong. I didn’t

an urge to shove away the memories of those years when he was gone, when I had raised our children alone while he

on my hands as if he knew I wanted to pull away. “I called you barren,” he said, his voice thick with regret. “I didn’t know… I didn’t know about Ethan and Emma, Christiana. I wasn’t there, and you had to raise them alone, I…” “Please,” I whispered, my voice cracking as I took a step back. “Just stop.” The memories I’d

again. “No, Christiana, I have to say it. I know I can never undo what I did. I was selfish. I was blind. I let Bianca, that…” He swallowed, his voice faltering. “I let her destroy what we had, and I blamed you for it. I’m… I’m

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