Chapter 14 - When Adrian Opened His Eyes
Stellan underwent surgery for six hours.
I waited with Fern asleep against my chest.
Rose slept beside Anna.
Cassandra held Lily.
Marisol sat nearby.
Mrs. Thornbury brought coffee nobody drank.
It was the strangest family waiting room imaginable.
But it was family.
At 4:12 a.m., the surgeon entered.
“He made it.”
I cried.
Not elegantly.
Not quietly.
I covered my face and broke apart.
Cassandra hugged me.
When Stellan woke, I was beside him.
His eyes opened slowly.
“Selene?”
“I’m here.”
“Fern?”
“Safe.”
“Rose?”
“Safe.”
“Cass?”
“Annoying everyone.”
A weak smile appeared.
Then he whispered, “Good.”
I squeezed his hand.
“You almost died.”
“I noticed.”
“Don’t joke.”
“Hurts too much anyway.”
I laughed through tears.
He watched me.
Then his expression became serious.
“I love you.”
I stopped.
He looked terrified.
Stellan Cross.
The man who faced guns without blinking.
Terrified of three words.
“I should have said it before.”
I leaned closer.
“Yes.”
“I loved you when I was Adrian.”
My throat tightened.
“I think Adrian was the first honest version of you I met.”
“He was.”
“And Stellan?”
“He’s trying.”
I kissed him.
Softly.
Carefully.
When I pulled away, he whispered:
“Was that forgiveness?”
“No.”
His face fell.
I smiled.
May you like
“That was a beginning.”
For once, Stellan Cross accepted terms he had not dictated.
