Chapter 176
Christiana’s POV
| woke up on the stiff hospital couch, the synthetic fabric rough against my skin. My neck ached from the
awkward angle I'd slept in, and the faint smell of antiseptic mixed with the rhythmic beeping of machines
broughtfully into the present. For a moment, | stayed there, staring at the ceiling, trying to untangle the
remnants of a nightmare that still clung tolike a shadow. My chest felt tight, my breathing shallow as flashes
of Daniel's cruel grin filled my mind.
Blinking hard, | sat up abruptly, my heart racing as reality returned. The sterile white walls of the hospital room
felt cold, almost suffocating, as | scanned the space. Across the room, Ethan and Emma were propped up on two
hospital beds. Their small forms looked so fragile against the stark white sheets. A doctor was crouched beside
them, speaking softly, and Alex stood near the foot of Ethan's bed. His tall frstood protectively, his posture
rigid, his hand resting on Ethan's shoulder.
Relief and guilt surged throughlike a tidal wave. The sight of my children alive and safe should have been
enough, but it wasn’t. The memory of their terrified faces, their cries echoing in my nightmare, still pierced
through me. | was on my feet before I could think, my bare soles hitting the cold tiles. “Ethan.. Emma...”
Both of them turned at the sound of my voice. Ethan’s face broke into a hesitant smile, his lips quivering as
though he wasn’t sure it was okay to feel relief. Emma’s eyes widened, her lips trembling before she let out a
soft cry. “Mom!”
Her voice cracked, and it shattered something inside me. | crossed the room quickly, my vision blurred by tears,
and scooped her into my arms the moment | reached her bedside. Her small body trembled against mine, and |
held her as tightly as | dared, afraid she might disappear if | let go. | buried my face in her soft curls, my tears
soaking into her hair as | whispered, “Oh, my baby. I'm here. Mommy's here.”
Ethan sat up straighter, though his movements were slow and careful. His expression was of relief and
something else... confusion, maybe. He looked atwith wide eyes, his lips trembling, though he was trying to
stay brave. “We're okay, Mom,” he said softly, but his voice cracked on the last word.
| reached out with one hand, cupping his cheek gently. “I know, sweetheart. | know. But | am so sorry. I'm so
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtsorry this happened to you. | should've been there. | should've protected you.”
Alex's deep voice broke through the moment, steady and authoritative, but | could hear the tight edge of
controlled anger underneath. “The doctor says they're fine physically,” he said, his eyes locked on me. “Just
exhausted and a little dehydrated.”
| turned my gaze to him, my chest tightening at the sight of his stormy eyes. His jaw was set, his features hard
and unreadable, but the tension in his body toldeverything. He was holding it together, but only barely.
“Emma, Ethan,” | whispered, pulling Emma back slightly so I could look into her tear-streaked face. “I'm so sorry.
I need you to know | would never, ever send anyone to take you like that.”
Emma blinked up at me, her face crumpling as fresh tears spilled over her cheeks. “But... Mr. Daniel said you
sent him,” she whimpered. “He said you needed us to cto you. He said...” Her voice broke, and she buried
her face in my shoulder.
Ethan spoke up, his small fists clutching the blanket tightly. “He said it was because you needed us, Mom. He
told us you asked him to bring us.”
Their words cut throughlike a knife. | shook my head, my voice trembling with the intensity of my emotions.
“No, baby,” | said, holding Emma tighter and reaching for Ethan’s hand. “No, | would never do that. He lied to
you. He lied to everyone. | would never send anyone to take you without telling you.”
Emma lifted her head slightly, her tear-streaked face filled with confusion and hurt. “But why did he say that?
Why would he lie?”
Before | could answer, Alex stepped closer, his voice firm and cold. “Because he wanted to hurt your mom,” he
said, his tone leaving no room for doubt. His hand remained on Ethan's shoulder, steadying him. “He used you to
try and get to her. And he will never get the chance to do it again.”
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Chapter 176
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Emma shuddered against me, and Ethan’s brow furrowed deeply as he tried to process Alex's words. “So... he
didn’t mean it? He wasn’t trying to help?” Ethan's voice was soft, uncertain.
“No,” | said, my voice breaking. “He wasn't trying to help. He wanted to hurt me. But you didn’t do anything
wrong. You did nothing wrong, do you hear me?”
Ethan nodded slowly, his eyes welling up with tears he was trying so hard to hold back. “We were scared,” he
admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “But Emma said you'd come. She said you'd find us.”
My heart clenched, and | kissed his forehead, my tears falling freely now. “You were so brave,” | whispered,
stroking his cheek gently. “Both of you. | am so, so proud of you.”
Emma sniffled against me, her voice small and trembling. “Are we safe now, Mommy?”
“Yes, baby,” | said, nodding firmly. “You're safe now. | promise. Daddy and | won't let anything happen to you
ever again.”
Alex's voice was firm, assuring, “No one will ever hurt you again, he said. “Not as long as I'm here.”
Ethan's gaze shifted to Alex, his small fists loosening slightly. “You stopped him, didn’t you?”
Alex met his eyes and gave a promise.”
small nod. “Yes,” he said simply. “I stopped him. And he’ll never cnear you again. That's a
The doctor, who had been quietly
checking their vitals, stood up and
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cleared his throat softly) They're fine
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They just need rest, fluids, and time.
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Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“Thank you,” | said, my voice thick with gratitude as | watched him leave.
Emma leaned into me, her eyes drooping with exhaustion. “Mommy... can we go hsoon?”
| kissed her forehead, her soft curls tickling my lips. “Yes, sweetheart,” | said. “We'll go hsoon. You'll sleep in
your own bed tonight, | promise.”
She gave a faint smile, her small arms tightening around my neck before she rested her head against my
shoulder. Her breathing slowed, and | realized she was drifting off to sleep.
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Ethan's small hand reached out, his
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fingers curling around bias. en
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believe yoy, Moan! We Sia softly. His
vBice was so quiet, but the weight of
his words made my tears fall harder.
“Thank you,” | whispered, leaning in to kiss his forehead again. Thank you for trusting me.”
For a moment, | allowed myself to
lean against the hospital bed, my
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hands tangled with Yo Shifdren S,
Alex's Ee presence beside me.
My heart was still heavy, still aching,
but they were safe. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
And for now, that was enough.
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