Chapter 392
Chapter 392:
I opened my mouth, but he cut me off before I could speak. “No, Jasmine. Please. You have no idea what it felt like when Kade reached me through the mind-link and told me you were in danger. Do you know what it did to me — the thought of losing you? Of losing our son?” His voice cracked, and the pain in his eyes was raw and undisguised.
“Forgive me,” I whispered, reaching for him.
He pulled me into his arms and held me so tightly it ached. “You terrified me,” he murmured into my hair.
For a moment I let myself stay there, tucked against him, while the full weight of everything pressed down — the fight, the betrayal, the danger. I had survived it. But it had left its marks.
When Ryder finally drew back, his hands cradled my face, his thumbs moving gently across my cheeks. “Dr. Lee stayed with you the whole time you were unconscious,” he said, his voice calmer now. “You and the baby are both fine p>
The relief that washed through me brought tears with it. “We’re safe p>
He nodded, a small smile finding its way to his lips. “Both of you. You’re safe p>
I let out a soft, shaky laugh and leaned my forehead against his. “I fought for us,” I whispered. “For you, for our son p>
“And you won,” he said, quiet pride in every word.
I looked around the room — at the people who had stood by me through so much. Ruby caught my eye and gave me a watery smile, blinking hard against tears she was refusing to let fall. “You’re incredible, you know that?” she said, her voice barely holding together.
My mother moved closer and laid her hand gently on my shoulder. “You are stronger than I ever gave you credit for,” she said softly, though there was a tremor beneath the words. “But please, Jasmine — don’t ever put yourself at risk like that again. You have so much to live for now p>
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I nodded, unable to speak past the tightness in my throat.
Kade offered me a rare, brief smile before settling back into his usual composure. “You frightened me, Luna. Try not to make a habit of it p>
And then there was Aiden, standing slightly apart from the others, his expression carefully neutral. He gave me a small, deliberate nod — a silent acknowledgment that carried more weight than any words he might have chosen.
Finally, my gaze returned to my father. He looked older somehow — as though every one of his choices had carved itself a little deeper into his face. “I’m sorry,” he said again, and this time I believed him.
“You’re going to have to work hard to earn my trust back,” I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the storm inside me.
“I will,” he promised.
I exhaled slowly and rested my hand against my belly, the gesture instinctive. Layla hummed softly in my mind, her presence warm and steadying. “We did it,” she said, her tone quiet but full of pride.
“Yes,” I murmured. “We did p>