Page 145 of When Hearts Awaken

“Charles, what are your thoughts on this matter?” A lanky reporter waves his microphone in my face.

I tug Taylor closer to me, relishing in the strength and warmth emanating from her.My fierce minx. I look at the reporter in the eye and respond, “I echo everything this strong, brilliant woman next to me just said. We believe justice will prevail in the end. We’ve also set up a fund for legal, mental health, and investigation costs for sexual assault and rape victims to help them find the help they need in the darkest of times. My company will release more details next week. Thank you for your support.”

Without another word, I twine my hand with Taylor’s and we head inside Manhattan Memorial Hospital. Despite the insanity going on in our lives, the paparazzi doing a much better job than any bodyguard at shadowing our every move, Taylor said we shouldn’t stop living our lives.

She wanted to meet Firefly and tell her what happened because she knew it would be hard for me to do it—to tell Firefly the truth about our beloved uncle.

Taylor’s gruff exterior, her dark makeup, and prickly thorns, hide the most beautiful soul underneath. I don’t know how I was blind to that for so long.

As soon as we step out of the elevators to the long-term care unit, we’re met with pure chaos. Monitors are beeping loudly, the sounds jarring on the normally quiet floor. Nurses and doctors are dashing down the hallway, wheeling machines and carts, barking orders.

Frowning, I scan the commotion and see Julie coming our direction, her strides hurried, a determined pinch on her forehead.

“Julie!” I call out, and she whips her head toward us and skids to a stop. “What on earth is going on? Is everything okay?”

Julie’s eyes widen, her lips curving into a smile. She grabs my arm. “I was just about to call you. She’s awake!”

Taylor gasps and I feel her clutching my wrist.

My heart stops and the room blurs around me. I’m sure I misheard. “W-What?”

“Your sister! We’ve never seen a miracle like this before. She woke up fifteen minutes ago, completely out of the blue. Your brother is here and saw it happen. We are gathering a team to assess her.” Julie’s eyes shimmer with tears. “You’ve been waiting for this day for almost eight years—you were right about having hope. I’m so happy for you guys!”

My pulse roars in my ears, my lungs heaving in rapid breaths. Before I’m even cognizant of what I’m doing, I’m sprinting toward Firefly’s room, Taylor quick at my heels.

She’s awake.

The words echo and slam against my skull. Please tell me I’m not dreaming and if this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.

I burst into Firefly’s room, finding Liam by the bed, clutching her hand. His face is wet with tears as he smiles—a wide smile I haven’t seen from him in years.

He looks up at me and stands. “She’s awake, Charles.”

My palms grow sweaty as I slow my steps down and walk past the en suite bathroom, which blocks the view of her bed.

Excitement laces my blood as I step closer, taking in Firefly in still-framed snippets.

Her legs under the blanket.

Her slender arms and delicate hands.

And finally, her. My sister. Propped up against the headboard andlookingat me. She gives me a tremulous smile.

Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuck. I blink my eyes and pinch myself, barely registering the flash of pain.

She’s still there—still smiling at me, her eyes shiny with tears. “Charles,” she whispers, her voice weak.

“Lexy!” I reach her in three strides and pull her frail frame into my arms, my body shaking as I bury my face in her hair. “You’re awake. I can’t believe you’re awake. I’ve missed you so goddamn much.”

She trembles in my arms, her voice, the sweet sound I haven’t heard inyears. “I don’t know what’s happening,” she rasps.

I smooth my hand down her back. “Everything will be okay. We’ll take it one day at a time. All that matters is you’re back with us and this is the miracle we’ve been waiting for.”

Pulling back, I stare at my beautiful sister—whereas for the past seven, almost eight years, her skin has been too sallow. Now, there’s a faint rosy glow in it. Her blue eyes sparkle with life.

Then I hear a gasp and whispered words in the background.

Looking back, I see Taylor standing there, her hand pressed against the wall of the en suite bathroom as if she needs it to hold her upright, her face entirely leached of color.

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