Chapter 292 - 296.

At one in the morning, Selena finally persuaded Emilia to eat a little.

At half past one, a nurse came to check Kylie’s vital signs and assured Christian that there had been no significant change.

At two, Christian went into the room again.

Kylie remained unconscious. He sat beside her and talked to her for another ten minutes and remained by her side for six hours.

When the nurse came to remind him that Kylie needed rest, he reluctantly stood.

At the door, he turned back.

"Goodnight, Blue."

.....

At three in the morning, Emilia woke from a restless doze in the chair beside Selena.

She had fallen asleep with her head against her mother’s shoulder, and her hands clasped in her lap.

For a moment, she didn’t remember where she was. Then she saw the hospital corridor.

She remembered.

She sat up quickly. "What’s happened?"

Selena stirred. "Nothing, sweetheart. You’re all right."

Emilia looked toward Kylie’s room. "Did the nurse come?"

"She checked on Kylie a little while ago. She’s stable."

Emilia let out a breath.

She rubbed her eyes. "How long was I asleep?"

"Maybe forty minutes."

Emilia stared at her. "Forty minutes?"

"You needed it."

"I shouldn’t have fallen asleep."

Selena took her hand.b"You’re exhausted."

"I could have missed something."

"Emilia."

Her mother waited until she looked at her.

"You are allowed to sleep while the people you love are being cared for."

Emilia’s eyes filled.

Selena squeezed her fingers. "Resting doesn’t mean you love them less."

Emilia looked down.

Selena brushed her hair back. "Go and see her."

Emilia stood.

She walked into Kylie’s room quietly, afraid that even the sound of her footsteps might disturb her.

The monitor continued its steady rhythm.

Kylie lay exactly as she had before.

Emilia sat down. "Hi, Khys." She took Kylie’s hand. "I fell asleep."

She shook her head, smiling faintly.

"You’re going to be so disappointed in me. I lasted longer than Christian, though. He probably hasn’t slept for a second."

She glanced at the door. "He looks awful."

Her eyes returned to Kylie’s face.

Emilia leaned closer.

"I think you know how much he loves you, and I hope you know that you don’t have to do anything to deserve it."

She brushed her thumb over Kylie’s fingers.

"You can just be Kylie."

The words settled between them.

Emilia kissed her hand. "You deserve that, Kylie."

She stayed until the nurse came to check the monitors again.

Then she reluctantly returned to the corridor.

.....

At four fifteen, Adrian’s fingers moved.

It was a small movement.

So small that Selena almost missed it.

She had been sitting beside his bed, reading the same page of a book for nearly an hour without absorbing a single word.

Then she noticed the slight movement of his hand against the blanket.

She froze. "Adrian?"

He didn’t respond.

Selena leaned forward. "Adrian, sweetheart?"

His fingers moved again.

She stood so quickly that the chair scraped against the floor. "Doctor!"

A nurse appeared at the doorway. "What’s wrong?"

"I think he’s moving."

The nurse crossed the room immediately. "Sir? Mr Ashford?"

Adrian’s brows drew together faintly.

His lips parted.

A sound escaped him, barely audible.

Selena covered her mouth. "Oh, thank God."

The nurse checked his responses, speaking to him in a calm voice and asking him to open his eyes.

For several seconds, nothing happened.

Then Adrian’s eyelids fluttered. He opened his eyes a fraction. They were unfocused.

He looked at the ceiling, then toward the nurse, his expression clouded with confusion.

"Mr Ashford, can you hear me?"

His eyes shifted. He swallowed. "Emilia."

The word was rough and barely audible.

The nurse leaned closer. "You’re in the hospital. You’re safe. Can you tell me your name?"

Adrian’s brows tightened.

He answered weakly.

The nurse asked him a few more questions, checking his awareness and his responses.

Adrian answered what he could.

His gaze moved around the room. Then he tried to sit up.

"Easy," the nurse instructed. "Don’t try to move yet."

"Emilia."

"She’s safe," Selena said quickly, moving closer to his bed. "She’s safe, Adrian. She’s here at the hospital."

His eyes found her. "Where?"

"She’s with Kylie."

He blinked slowly. "Kylie?"

"She’s been operated on. She’s stable."

Adrian closed his eyes for a moment. A breath left him. Then he opened them again. "Emilia."

Selena squeezed his hand. "I’ll get her."

She hurried out of the room, tears streaming down her face.

Christian was standing near the nurses’ station when she reached the corridor.

"Christian!"

He turned. "What’s wrong?"

"Adrian’s awake."

Christian stared at her.

For a moment, the words didn’t register. Then he straightened. "He’s awake?"

Selena nodded, crying and laughing at once.

"He’s awake."

Christian released a breath.

He looked toward Kylie’s room. Then toward Adrian’s.

Selena noticed.

"Go," she told him. "I’ll get Emilia."

Christian looked at her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

He nodded and headed toward Adrian’s room. As he reached the doorway, he heard a familiar, exhausted voice.

"If anyone tells me I need to rest, I’m going to assume they’ve lost their mind."

Christian stopped.

For a second, he couldn’t help it. He laughed. Then he walked inside.

Adrian lay against the pillows, his face pale and his eyes heavy with exhaustion.

He turned his head toward Christian. "You’re still alive."

Christian approached the bed. "Unfortunately for you."

Adrian’s mouth twitched. "That’s disappointing."

"You’re welcome."

Christian stopped beside him.

Christian looked at the bruising on Adrian’s face. "You look terrible."

Adrian gave a faint, tired smile. "I’ve seen you."

"Not helpful."

"Neither are you."

Christian let out a breath that was almost a laugh. Then his expression changed. He reached out and gripped Adrian’s shoulder carefully.

"Don’t do that again."

Adrian’s eyes softened. "I’ll try."

"No. You will."

Adrian looked at him.

Christian shook his head. "You scared the hell out of us."

Adrian’s gaze shifted toward the door. "Emilia?"

"She’s safe." Christian’s voice softened. "She’s been with Kylie."

Adrian closed his eyes briefly. "And Kylie?"

"She’s alive. The operation was successful. She’s stable."

Adrian opened his eyes. "Is she awake?"

"No."

His expression tightened.

Christian continued quickly. "But she’s out of immediate surgical danger. The doctors are optimistic."

Adrian breathed out slowly.

For a moment, his eyes closed again.

Christian watched him. "You need to rest."

Adrian opened one eye. "You need to change your shirt."

Christian looked down at himself. Then back at Adrian. "You’re in no position to judge anyone’s appearance."

"I wasn’t judging. I was stating a fact."

"Rest, Ashford."

Adrian’s mouth twitched. His expression softened. "Okay."

Christian stood beside the bed for another moment. Then he looked at his friend and said quietly, "I’m glad you’re here."

Adrian met his gaze. "Me too."