Chapter 133
I meet him halfway. “How is she? Really p>
He gives me a measured look, then glances toward the window. “She’s very lucky,” he says simply. “Coming out of a coma after two days without severe complications is a good sign. Her vitals are improving steadily. But she’ll be weak and maybe in pain p>
I swallow hard. “But she’s going to be okay p>
“Yes p>
The air leaves my lungs in a sharp exhale I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Gunner lets out a long breath too, muttering another prayer under his breath before running a hand down his face.
“Thank God,” he says quietly. “Finally, some good news p>
“Yeah,” I murmur, watching Sierra through the glass again. “Finally p>
The doctor pats my shoulder once before heading off with the nurses.
Gunner leans against the wall beside me, his arms crossed but his posture lighter than before.
Before either of us can say more, footsteps echo from the far end of the corridor.
Lilly appears around the corner, her shoes hitting the tiled floor, her hair a bit messy and wearing an oversized t- shirt and leggings.
“Noah!” she calls, her voice tight with worry. “I was on my way here when I got your message, but”
She stops mid–sentence, eyes darting past me to the glass window. She freezes, breath catching. “Oh my God,” she whispers. “Is she p>
“She woke up,” I say quietly, my throat tightening on the words.
For a second, Lilly just stares at me like she’s not sure she heard right. Then her hand flies to her mouth, and her shoulders shake with a sob. “She woke up p>
I nod. “Just a few minutes ago p>
She lets out a shaky laugh, half disbelief, half relief and presses her hand to her chest.
“Thank you, God,” she breathes.
Her tears spill freely, but she doesn’t bother to wipe them. She turns to the glass, her gaze locking on Sierra, and her lips tremble.
“You scared the hell out of us, you stubborn woman,” she whispers softly, almost to herself.
Watching her breaks something loose inside me. Lilly’s always been strong and fierce. She doesn’t crumble easily. Seeing her like this, makes everything that’s just happened feel real.
Gunner clears his throat quietly beside us. “I’ll go notify the others,” he says, already pulling his phone from his pocket.
I nod, knowing well that it’s my turn to leave. As much as I want to stay, I can’t be here when they arrive.
Gunner steps away, his voice low as he starts making calls.
Lilly finally turns back to me, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand, her voice trembling slightly. “The press was trying to get photos outside, but I called in a few favors. It’s handled p>
“Good,” I murmur, meaning it. “She doesn’t need that kind of noise right now p>
“She doesn’t need any of it,” Lilly says firmly. Then her voice softens. “But she’s going to be okay, Noah p>
“Yeah, She’s always has been,” I whisper, remembering the countless times I thought I broke her only to have her bounce back like nothing happened.
It always made me wonder what she was made of. What made her keep coming back even after I’ve hurt her? Even when I humiliated her, she would smile through the pain. 2
Looking at her now, seeing the woman she’s become, I see different kinds of strength. The same person, but different strengths. While the younger her had the strength of endurance, this version of her has the strength to fight back
For a moment, neither of us speaks. We just stand there, watching Sierra breathe. Her chest rises and falls in a steady rhythm.
The doctor returns briefly, clipboard in hand, breaking the comfortable silence between us.
“She’s stable for now,” he says. “We’ll keep her sedated lightly until her vitals normalize completely. But if all goes well, she’ll be able to talk by morning p>
Lilly’s breath catches again. “Morning p>
He nods. “That’s the hope p>
Gunner reappears a few minutes later, slipping his phone into his pocket.
“Everyone’s on their way,” he says, and I nod my head.
He glances at me and then asks “You staying p>
I glare at him. “You know I can’t p>
He glares back, his eyes challenging me. “It’s not that you can’t; You just don’t want to. You could stay if you wanted to, instead you prefer sneaking when no one is around”
“Gunner.” I growl
He smirks. “Am I wrong? You’re being a coward and all because you don’t want anyone knowing you’re the one that knocked Sierra up.
“He’s right you know” Lilly adds unhelpfully.
Unbelievable. Isn’t it enough that I’m here? That I have been here?
“I dare you,” Gunner says, his eyes challenging me. “If you’ve got the balls, stay p>
He’s my best friend but sometimes I want to knock his fucking teeth out. Instead of responding, I turn back to the window, look at Sierra one last time before I turn and walk off. 5