Page 59 of My Single Dad SEAL

"Dad, listen to me," she said, her voice filled with a newfound strength. "Kat is my best friend, and I trust her with my life. If she makes you happy, if you both find solace and love in each other, then I give you my blessing."

My eyes widened. "Lily, are you sure? I don't want to come between you and Kat."

She smiled through her tears, her voice filled with conviction. "You could never come between us, Dad. We've been through too much together. And seeing you happy, seeing both of you find love and support, it means everything to me."

With a shared understanding and a newfound sense of unity, we turned our attention back to Kat, who lay still, fighting her own battle. Hand in hand, Lily and I vowed to be there for her, to support her on her journey to recovery.

As we sat by her side, our hearts heavy yet filled with hope, I realized that love and strength would guide us through this turbulent chapter.

CHAPTER25

KAT

My eyelids fluttered open, and I found myself engulfed in a sterile hospital room. The clinical scent invaded my nostrils, and the distant sound of medical equipment filled my ears. Confusion washed over me as I struggled to remember how I ended up in this unfamiliar place, my mind clouded by a hazy fog.

As my vision adjusted, I caught a glimpse of a familiar face sitting next to the hospital bed. It was George, his eyes filled with worry and relief as he gazed at me. A mixture of emotions flooded through me – relief at seeing a familiar face and an overwhelming gratitude for his presence by my side.

"Kat! You're awake!" George exclaimed, his voice a blend of relief and concern. He reached out and gently took hold of my hand, his touch grounding me in the present moment.

A surge of emotions overcame me, and I struggled to find my voice. My throat felt dry, but George swiftly poured some water from a nearby jug into a cup and brought it to my lips. The cool liquid provided much-needed relief, and I found my voice gradually returning.

"What happened to me?" I managed to whisper, my voice weak and raspy. Memories began to resurface, the pieces of the puzzle slowly fitting together. The last thing I remembered was a sense of fear, the feeling of being trapped. Then I remembered how Darius had tied me and tried to force me to give in to his demands but I didn’t budge. “Darius, he…” I croaked out.

George held my hands and rubbed my palms with a gentle smile on his face.

"You have nothing to be scared of. Everything is okay now. Darius will never harm you again. He’s in custody," he explained gently. "He held you captive for hours before we managed to locate you and bring you here. You're safe now."

A chilling shiver ran down my spine as his words sank in. The memories began to resurface, flickering fragments of darkness and fear. The face of my tormentor, the sound of his voice, and the desperation to escape flashed before my eyes. I realized the magnitude of what I had endured.

Tears welled up in my eyes. "You found me. Thank you."

He squeezed my hand, his touch providing a sense of reassurance and safety. "I would move mountains to find you, Kat," he whispered, his voice filled with determination and love. "You're the strongest person I know, and we'll get through this together."

As I absorbed his words, a mixture of emotions surged within me – gratitude for George's unwavering support, relief at being rescued from the clutches of my captor, and a profound sense of strength for having survived the ordeal. The road to recovery would be long and arduous, but with George beside me, I knew I had the strength to face the aftermath of the nightmare.

The hospital room may have been sterile and impersonal, but in that moment, with George at my side, it felt like a sanctuary of healing and hope. I clung to his hand, knowing that together, we could overcome the darkness that had consumed my life. As I closed my eyes, I vowed to take each step forward with George, leaving the nightmare behind and embracing a future filled with love, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.

A mix of anticipation and nervousness danced in his eyes, as if he carried a weighty secret that he was eager to share. I couldn't help but wonder what lay behind that familiar gaze, what words were waiting to spill forth from his lips.

George took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly as he began to speak, "Kat, during these days that you were unconscious, I realized how much you mean to me. The thought of losing you was unbearable, and it made me confront my true feelings."

My heart skipped a beat, a flicker of hope rising within me. The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the revelation that hung in the air.

"I love you, Kat," George continued, his voice filled with conviction. "Every moment we've shared, every smile, every tear, they have all led me to this realization. Life is unpredictable, and it has shown me that our love is too precious to keep hidden. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Tears welled up in my eyes, mirroring the emotions that swelled within my heart. A sense of completeness washed over me, as if all the pieces of my fractured existence were falling into place.

With a trembling hand, George reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. His gaze never wavered from mine as he opened it, revealing a glimmering ring that sparkled in the dim hospital light.

"Kat, will you marry me?" he asked, his voice laced with vulnerability and hope.

In that moment, the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders, and all that remained was the overwhelming love that bound us together. A radiant smile graced my lips as I whispered my response, my voice filled with unwavering certainty.

"Yes, George," I replied, my voice quivering with emotion. "I will marry you. With all my heart, I choose you."

As he slipped the ring onto my finger, sealing our commitment, the room seemed to come alive with joy and celebration. In that hospital room, amidst the beeping machines and antiseptic scent, love triumphed over adversity, and our future shimmered with the promise of a shared journey.

George leaned in, his lips gently meeting mine in a tender, heartfelt kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of promises, resilience, and a love that could weather any storm. In that moment, I knew that no matter what lies ahead, we would face it hand in hand, bound by a love that had been tested and proven unbreakable.

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