CHAPTER 343: FINAL CALL (1)

Nick’s POV

Yesterday felt like living through a whole season of emotions in a single day—anger, relief, joy, fear, hope, love—you name it, I felt it. But this morning? It was different. It was calm. Warm. The kind of happiness that sits quietly in your chest and makes you want to smile for no reason.

Seeing Georgia wake up today, smiling a little, looking more at ease, it did something to me. For the first time in what felt like forever, it didn’t feel like I was walking on eggshells around her. She was still trying to piece things together, still getting used to everything, but she was trying—and that meant everything.

Last night, I told her everything—how we ended up married on paper, what happened after her brother’s case, the house, everything she needed to know. It was a lot to unload, and I half-expected her to shut down or panic, but instead she just... listened. Then she told me she’d let me handle everything for now so she could focus on recovering and taking care of herself for our baby.

God, the way she said our baby made my heart skip a beat. I’m included; she didn’t leave me behind.

She had leftover cheesecake from last night, and I tried... tried—to convince her to eat something healthier for breakfast. Of course, she won. She always does, and I want her to be. And when she gave me that little triumphant grin while taking another bite of that damn cheesecake, I couldn’t even argue anymore.

We were finishing up breakfast when the private nurse I hired came in.

"Hello, Mrs. Knight. My name is Agnes. I specialize in taking care of maternity patients," she said with a polite smile.

Georgia’s face instantly brightened. "That’s good to hear! This is my first pregnancy, and I have no idea what to do," she said with that sheepish laugh of hers.

I swear, that laugh could fix broken bones.

Agnes smiled kindly. "Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you and teach you everything you need to know before and after giving birth."

I cleared my throat, giving the nurse a pointed look. "Just don’t forget she needs to rest."

"Of course, Mr. Knight. That’s our top priority," she assured.

I walked over to Georgia and kissed her forehead, lingering just a second longer than necessary. "I’ll be back soon," I murmured. "I just need to finish some urgent tasks at work. Katie and the others are already on their way here, but I told them to keep the visit short. You need to rest, alright?"

She nodded, smiling up at me, and I swear—her smile hit harder than caffeine ever could.

I turned to the nurse before leaving. "Be strict with them. If my family starts tiring her out, don’t be afraid to throw them out. I’m serious. Push them out if you have to—they mean well, but when they’re excited, they forget they’re loud."

Agnes chuckled. Georgia rolled her eyes but was smiling, clearly amused by my overprotective streak.

"Nick," she said teasingly, "you do realize you sound like you’re giving out orders to a bodyguard, not a nurse?"

"Good," I said with a smirk. "Maybe then she’ll take her job seriously."

Georgia laughed, and that sound right there was the best thing I’d heard in days.

Yeah. I could get used to this.

I left Georgia in Agnes’s care, though not without giving very specific instructions to the bodyguards outside her door—no one gets in unless it’s family or hospital staff. Not one soul. I’ve already lost her once; I’m not taking that risk again.

By the time I arrived at the hotel, Oliver was already there, sitting comfortably like he owned the place.

"Did you enjoy your helicopter ride?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood as I stepped inside.

He grinned. "You know, I could get used to that. I won’t complain about your emergency calls if they always come with a free chopper ride."

I chuckled. "I’ll keep that in mind next time I need my lawyer-slash-best friend to save my ass."

We both laughed and sat down on the sofa. The coffee table between us was covered in documents—neatly arranged, as always. Ollie doesn’t do chaos, not even on paper.

He handed me a folder. "That’s a copy of Reagan’s confession to the police. I already showed it to your father."

My fingers froze mid-turn as I looked up. "And what did he say?"

Oliver sighed, leaning back. "He said it’s up to you. He doesn’t want to come between his sons. But Nick..." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "He’s disappointed. Not angry—just sad. Said he never imagined things would come to this."

That stung more than I wanted to admit.

I skimmed through the confession—Reagan’s words on paper, cold and final. I used to hate him for what he did, for everything that fell apart because of his choices. But now... I don’t know. Seeing his name written like that, reading his side—it didn’t feel like victory. It felt heavy.

"I don’t want to decide while my head’s a mess," I finally said, exhaling hard. "When’s the deadline?"

"Tomorrow," Oliver replied. "The prosecutor will question both Reagan and Raymond. You need to decide whether you’ll pursue charges or not. This case will move fast."

I nodded slowly, rubbing my temples. "Alright... what would you do if you were me?"

Oliver folded his hands, his tone gentler now. "I’d see him. Reagan. Face-to-face. You grew up together, Nick. Blood or not, that bond still counts for something. Maybe he deserves to hear from you and you from him, before you make your final call."

I sat in silence for a moment, feeling the weight of it all. The anger, the history, the regret—it was all there, tangled inside me. But Ollie was right.

If I want to move forward with Georgia, if I want our baby to be born into peace instead of bitterness, I need to let go of the past.

"Alright," I said, standing up. "Let’s go see him."

Oliver raised a brow. "Now?"

"Yes, now." I glanced toward the window, sunlight cutting through the glass. "If I’m going to start a new life with Georgia... I want to do it with no ghosts left chasing me."

*******

Thank you for the Golden Tickets!

Noni_Byz

KATHLEEN_COLL