The Billionaire's Offer

Chapter 39

Emma

I wake up with a start; a twitch in my hand disrupting the remnants of a dream that cling to my consciousness like fading mist.

As I blink away the haze, reality crashes back with merciless clarity: Zack's menacing presence, Asher's gunshot wound, and the deep need to protect our baby. —it all floods back with startling clarity.

The hospital room surrounds me with its sterile scent and the monotonous beeping of monitors, a constant reminder of the fragility of life.

God, when will this nightmare be over?

In an attempt to run from my cold reality, I close my eyes tightly, wishing I could go back into the oblivion of sleep, where everything is normal, and Asher and our baby are safely by my side.

But the twitch on my hand persists like a gentle tug pulling me back to the present.

And then, I hear his voice.

"Wake up, baby."

My eyes snap open, and I'm momentarily frozen in disbelief. Could it be real? Is Asher actually here with me? I turn my head to the side, and there he is, lying peacefully beside me.

"Hey..." he whispers, and I gasp, a mix of relief and astonishment flooding through me.

"Asher, is this real? Am I dreaming?"

A tender smile curves across his lips, easing some of the anxiety gripping my heart. "It's real, Em," he assures me, his voice a soothing melody in the chaos of my mind.

I look around the room, taking in the two beds side by side, the medical equipment, and the faint light filtering through the curtains. It's all too surreal, and yet Asher's presence grounds me in the moment.

"Oh, my God!" I sit up quickly, feeling a rush of dizziness sweep through me.

Asher reaches out with his free hand, his touch gentle as he tries to stop me from moving. "Take it easy, Em. You've been through a lot."

Tears well up in my eyes as I slide closer to him, careful not to disturb the wires and tubes connected to his body. His shoulder is banged up, and there are stitches on his head, but seeing him awake and talking to me is a balm to my soul.

"Are you okay?" I ask, my voice trembling with emotion.

He nods, his eyes filled with an intensity that speaks volumes. "I am now that we're together."

I slowly lean in, savoring the softness of his lips as they meet mine in a tender, lingering kiss. God, I missed him! Kissing him again is like a silent promise, a reassurance of our bond amidst the chaos and uncertainty. I'm careful not to hurt him, mindful of his injuries, but the need to feel connected to him overrides everything else.

As our lips part, I rest my forehead against his, breathing in his familiar scent. The weight of the past few days begins to lift as I realize that we made it through and that we're together. "I love you," I whisper, the words carrying the weight of everything we've been through.

"I love you too, Em. So much," he murmurs, his voice filled with unspoken promises and devotion. "I was so scared I'd lose you."

"I'm here," I whisper, pulling away to look at him. "Zack is gone. It's over."

A shadow crosses over Asher's face, but then he blinks, and it goes away. "He's never touching you again. You're safe now."

"I am." I smile through my tears as I press my lips to his again.

In this hospital room, surrounded by beeping machines and the faint scent of antiseptic, we find solace in each other's embrace. The road ahead may be uncertain, but as long as we're together, we'll face it with unwavering strength and love.