When She Rose From the Ashes

hapter 197 Blood and Truth

The crowd erupted in screams, panic rippling everywhere.

The falling ride clipped Baron’s back with its edge.

He staggered, nearly dropping Sean from his arms.

Natalie’s heart shattered at the sight.

“Baron!”

She couldn’t wait any longer. She bolted forward, the bodyguards rushing after her.

Susie burst into sobs the moment she saw Baron spit blood.

“Daddy!”

Sean, pressed tight in his arms, felt the hot spray of blood across his face. The metallic tang filled his nose, shocking him into silence before fear overtook him.

“Daddy, no!”

“Sean, don’t be scared. I’m fine.”

Even in pain, even barely able to stay on his feet, Baron forced himself to smile, his gaze steady and warm as it locked on his son’s tearful eyes. “You’re a man. This was just an accident. Daddy’s not going anywhere, and neither are you. Do you hear me?”

“But Daddy, you’re bleeding…”

fell in heavy drops, unstoppable now. He fumbled with his little hands, trying to wipe

reached them, the

throat burned with

“Baron… Sean…‘

grabbed Baron’s arm to steady

first time Baron had ever heard her

1/3

formal, cold address she always used–just

faintly.

Sean into her arms, speaking softly to both children. “Sean, Susie, it’s alright. It was just an accident.

too!” Sean insisted.

but her red–rimmed eyes followed

but to agree.

wailed in the distance–police, firefighters, ambulances rushing to

“Can you really hold

need. The edge just caught me. Some bruising, nothing broken. Don’t

was searing with pain, but Baron knew his own body well. It wasn’t as serious as it looked. The blood had been from the shock, not a

him filled him

I have a place in

You’re coughing blood and

You reached Sean first, and as his mother I’m grateful–but watching you bleed, I thought my chest would split open. From the start, you’ve been in my heart. Maybe I don’t love you deeply yet, but you’re my husband, the father of my children, the

suddenly felt lighter, as if the injury hardly mattered