Part 7: The Awakening
For three days, I didn't leave Elena's side at the federal medical facility where she had been transferred for safety. The news outside was a whirlwind. Vale Pharmaceuticals had filed for bankruptcy. Vivian and Marcus were being held without bail on charges of attempted murder, corporate espionage, and illegal human experimentation.
But none of that mattered to me. Only the monitor mattered.
On the fourth morning, the birds were chirping outside the window. The sun broke through the clouds, casting a warm, golden glow across the hospital bed.
I was holding Elena’s hand, my head resting on the edge of the mattress, exhausted.
Suddenly, I felt a faint pressure.
A squeeze.
I jolted awake. Elena’s eyelids were fluttering. She groaned softly, her lips moving without sound.
"Elena?" I whispered, my heart leaping into my throat. "Elena, can you hear me?"
Her eyes opened slowly. They were deep, beautiful green eyes that I feared I would never see again. She blinked against the light, looking around the room in confusion, until her gaze landed on me.
"Daniel..." she croaked, her voice dry.
"I'm here. I'm right here," I cried, tears pouring down my face uninhibited.
She immediately moved her hand to her stomach. "The... the baby? Marcus... mother..."
"The baby is safe, Elena. She's fine. She's kicking," I said, placing my hand over hers on her belly. As if on cue, a strong, vibrant kick pushed against both our palms.
May you like
Elena let out a sob of pure relief, pulling me down toward her. "You found me," she whispered into my neck. "I knew you would. I knew you wouldn't give up."
"Never," I said. "Never again."
