Page 169 of Lush

How had we missed it? How had I missed it?

“How aboutIwake him up since he wanna take his time?” Gigi said, and I felt something shift on my right side. Suddenly there was a violent shake to my shoulders, and I felt myself be lifted and then everybody was shouting and Gigi was arguing back. “He ain’t dying up in here and haunting our family! I rebuke it.”

A groan escaped me as I plopped back down, and I tried to force my eyes open.

Light bled into the darkness, soft at first, then too sharp, too bright. I blinked sluggishly, the world around me a mess of shifting, distorted shapes—blurry outlines stretching and bending.

Slowly, the room began to come into focus, the outlines of faces forming, and the entire King family and Noelle were staring at me with wide eyes.

I turned my head just enough to see her.

Laurene.

Her smile was the first thing I saw, soft and warm, her brown eyes glistening with unshed tears.

I could feel my lips curve into a smile, instinctively, and despite the pain in my chest, I couldn’t help it. “Damn it’s good to see your face, Mrs. Ashbourne.”

Laurene let out a breathless laugh, as she cupped my face. “You scared the hell out of me.”

Before I could answer, her lips crashed into mine, warm and desperate, stealing the breath right from my lungs. It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t careful. It was everything—relief, fear, love—all pouring into one kiss that deepened as I pulled her closer, ignoring the pull of pain in my chest. Her fingers tangled in my hair, my hand sliding over her waist, and for a moment, the world faded into nothing but the heat between us.

Then—

A loud, pointedahembroke through the air, followed by an exaggerated groan.

“Oh my God, get a damn room,” Gigi drawled, sounding both amused and disgusted. “He just woke up, can he breathe first?”

A chorus of muffled laughter followed, and Laurene tore herself away, her cheeks flushed as she shot a glare toward the door. “You could leave.”

Gigi smirked, arms crossed. “Can I just say, my method woke you up. Everybody in here needs to give me an apology.”

The room erupted in chatter.

The doctor’s voice cut through the chaos. “Well, now that Mr. Ashbourne is awake, be easy with him. He needs rest.”

He gave us a final glance before leaving the room.

I turned to Laurene, my gaze locking with hers.

“What happened with Nina?” My voice was rusty, barely a whisper.

Her face softened, and I could see the pain in her eyes. “She’s in jail. She’s not going anywhere.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

Before I could get a word in, the door creaked open. My mother stepped in. “Finally! Look who’s come to see you.”

From behind her, David wheeled in Jennie.

Bruised and battered, but alive. No tubes, no IVs. Just her, looking stronger than I expected.

“Wow,” she said with a weak smile. “I thought I looked bad.”

Everyone laughed, including me, despite the pain.

But then, something caught my attention. Jennie wasn’t just holding on to the wheelchair. No, she was cradling something in her arms—something small, wrapped in a soft, pink blanket.

I blinked.

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