bChapter /b480

    She looked utterly exhausted, but the soft, steady rhythm of her breathing brought a measure of relief to those around her.

    Cole brought Alessia’s hand to his cheek, holding it there as if it were the only thing tethering him to this world. “I love iyou /iiso /imuch. Thank you for waking up, Lessie,” he whispered.

    In that moment, he seemed so fragile, a far cry from the ruthless sixteen–year–old who’d once taken charge of the failing Whitley Group and dragged it back from the brink of bankruptcy. It was hard to believe

    this was the same Cole.

    He was barely past twenty, having gained so much and lost éven more. The grief of losing someone he loved had be more than he could bear; he simply couldn’t survive it again.

    Three more days passed. Alessia’s condition finally stabilized, though she still had a mild concussion and a fractured arm that would require weeks of rest and recovery.

    But waking up at all was already a miracle—everything else could wait. That was what everyone kept telling themselves.

    The day she regained consciousness felt like the day she was dragged back from the edge of death.

    ording to Karen, that day had been an absolute nightmare for

    everyone.

    Alessia’s heart rate had suddenly plummeted, and the doctors fought for her life for a full twenty–four hours. No one dared sleep; they all stood vigil outside the operating room, tense and terrified. Even people who had no idea who was inside gathered around, convinced that someone important must be fighting for their life.

    In the end, Max had to ask security to clear the hallway. As for Cole, he’d slumped against the wall, silent and hollow–eyed, unresponsive to

    anyone who tried to speak to him. Heartbreak didn’t begin to describe

    10

    it–there was something almost terrifying in his despair.

    No one doubted for a second that, if anything happened to Alessia, Cole would have followed her without hesitation.

    Thankfully, that ordeal was behind them now.

    Karen brought a spoonful of broth to Alessia’s lips, and Alessia, still half lost in Karen’s retelling of those terrible hours, opened her mouth and swallowed it automatically.

    “Lessie, you can’t scare your mom like that ever again, okay?i” /iKaren’s eyes grew red just picturing the scene of Alessia, pale and unconscious, being rushed into surgery. Her hand shook as she held the spoon.

    Alessia nodded and managed a weak smile. She’d lost iso /imuch weight in her fight for life that her cheeks were gaunt and her smile

    heartbreakingly fragile.

    Karen set down the empty bowl. “Once you’re home, I’ll make you something hearty to help you get your strength back. You were already so thin–if a breeze caught you now, you might just blow away.”

    Alessia let out a softugh. “I’m not that fragile, Mom.”

    “Lessie! Mrs. White!” Two voices called from the doorway. It was Ste

    and Queenie.

    “Ste, Queenie! Good to see you, girls.” Karen stood up, greeting them

    with a warm smile.

    People had been dropping by every day to check on Alessia. If the doctors hadn’t insisted on quiet, the room would’ve been packed around the clock. Even Esme hade all the way from out of town, bunking with Mia so they could visit every couple of days.

    Alessia nced past her friends, a hint of disappointment flickering in her eyes.

    “Don’t bother looking,” Queenie teased. “We just saw him pestering the doctors again. They’re probably sick of him by now.”

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    “Lessie, you chat with Ste and Queenie, okay? I need ito /irun

    home–there’s soup simmering on the stove, and your dad’s keeping an eye on it, but I’d rather check myself.”

    Everyone knew Karen was giving the three girls some privacy. She was still the mom, after all, and some conversations were easier without a parent in the room.

    “Drive safe, Mom,” Alessia called.

    “Don’t worry, I will.” Karen reassured her with a smile, quickly gathering up the dishes before slipping out of the room and leaving the girls to talk.

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