Chapitre 230

Julie’s POV

Carlos entered the room with quiet steps, having changed out of his blood-stained clothes. He asked in a hushed, expectant tone, "Julie, is he okay?"

I turned to him, a smile blooming on my face despite the tears. "Come here... he’s starting to wake up."

"That’s good," Carlos replied, relief washing over his features.

At that moment, Robert’s eyelids began to flutter with a heavy effort, as if he were battling a massive weight just to open them. A faint, muffled groan escaped him from the lingering effects of the anesthesia.

His fingers twitched over the bedsheets, searching randomly for something before his eyes finally drifted open.

His gaze was blurred and hazy at first, his pupils roaming the room slowly as he tried to orient himself. He blinked several times, trying to dispel the fog. With every blink, his consciousness returned piece by piece, until his tired eyes finally settled on my face.

A spark of recognition flickered within them. I squeezed his hand harder when I felt the weak pressure of his fingers against mine, confirming that he was truly back with us. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Julie... are you here?" he asked, his voice raspy and broken.

"I’m here," I said, my eyes never leaving his.

He struggled to catch his breath. "I was..."

I gently cut him off, placing my index finger over his dry lips. "Rest now," I whispered. "We’ll talk later."

Carlos approached the bed. "Robert, I’m glad you’re back."

A pale, weary smile touched Robert’s lips with great effort. Carlos took a step back. "Well, I’ll leave you now. It’s very late; I’ll be back in the morning."

"Alright," I said.

Carlos left, closing the door softly behind him. I gripped Robert’s hand with a sense of possessiveness, as if he might vanish if I let go for even a second. He looked at me with weary eyes. "Sleep beside me."

"I’m afraid I’ll hurt you," I said hesitantly.

"No... come," he insisted.

I kicked off my shoes and slipped under the covers beside him with extreme caution, watching his every move so as not to touch his wound.

I lifted the IV tube with my other hand, moving it so I wouldn’t lie on it, and rested my head on the pillow right next to him. I lay close, clinging to his warm hand. "I was so scared, Robert," I whispered. "I thought you were going to die."

He closed his eyes for a moment. "I was scared I wouldn’t see you again, Julie... How did you escape? Did they hurt you?"

I brushed my hand over his face. "It’s a long story. I’ll tell you tomorrow. All that matters is that we’re together now."

He smiled tenderly. "Are you in pain?" I asked. "The doctor put painkillers in your IV."

"No," he said reassuringly.

A faint smile of relief crossed my face. I closed my eyes and rested my forehead gently against his neck, inhaling his scent it was finally beginning to chase away the sterile hospital smell from my lungs.

His body relaxed under the covers, though his hand remained clamped onto mine with unexpected strength.

Silence filled the room, save for the rhythmic beep... beep of the heart monitor, which now sounded like a comforting melody assuring me his heart was beating right there beside me. My eyelids grew heavy, and his steady breath fanned my hair, giving me a sense of security I hadn’t felt since my kidnapping.

"Julie... don’t go," he whispered, his voice so soft it was as if he feared breaking the stillness.

I squeezed his hand as sleep began to take me. "I won’t go, Robert," I murmured groefully. "I’ll stay right here. Always."

We both surrendered to a deep sleep, entwined as if we were a single body refusing to be separated again.

----------------------------

Thomas’s POV (Robert’s Father)

I entered the club in my wheelchair, my mind consumed with how to get Julie away from my son. I cannot allow her to destroy him; it won’t happen as long as I live. I pushed the wheels forcefully toward his room. When I entered, I froze. My hands shook against the armrests in pure rage.

She was asleep beside him! Dammit, is this girl going to stick to him even in this condition?

I cleared my throat loudly and with deliberate roughness. "Ahem! Ahem!"

Julie startled awake. I watched her try to rise quietly and cautiously so as not to disturb Robert. She scrambled into her shoes. "Good morning," she said, her voice thick with sleep.

"Leave me with my son for a moment," I said coldly, looking past her at Robert.

She approached me slowly, tilting her head as she studied my tired face. "Are you alright, Uncle?"

I raised an eyebrow in utter shock. "Uncle?!"

She smiled simply. "You don’t like it?"

"I prefer ’Mr. Thomas,’" I snapped.

Her smile widened, flashing a challenge cloaked in politeness. "Fine. I’ll call you Uncle."

She turned and slipped out of the room. I sat there, stunned, a tightness in my chest. This girl isn’t just going to kill my son; she’s going to kill me too.

I wheeled closer to Robert’s bed. He was in a deep sleep, his pale features suggesting pain despite his stillness. I sighed heavily, a lump forming in my throat. Oh, my son, I thought bitterly. Look at yourself. This is what happens when you don’t listen to me.

----------------------------

Julie’s POV

When I left Robert’s room, I went straight to mine. I desperately needed a shower. After washing and drying my hair, I changed and headed out. I saw a guard in the hallway. "Has Robert’s father, Mr. Thomas, left yet?" I asked quietly.

"No, Miss," he replied formally.

I didn’t want to go back in while he was still there, so I went downstairs to see Max. I knocked and entered his room. The moment he saw me, he stood and pulled me into a hug so tight it knocked the wind out of me.

"Oh, Julie! You’re back! My heart stopped when I heard you were kidnapped!"

"Okay, Max... you’re breaking my ribs!" I gasped.

He let go and straightened up. "I heard Robert was shot."

"Yes, but he’s okay now," I said with a reassuring smile.

"Tell me what happened."

I recounted everything, from the moment of my kidnapping to the end.

Max sighed in disbelief. "You’ve lived through a lifetime of action and horror in a single day!"

"Exactly."

Max grew serious, interlocking his fingers. "They’ve taken Diego in for questioning because you contacted him... Didn’t I tell you not to?"

I frowned. "Diego? Why? What does he have to do with my kidnapping?"

"They suspect he’s a traitor," he whispered. "That he’s working with Robert’s enemy."

"You mean he set me up?" I asked, shocked.

He nodded. Then he looked at me intently. "Do you have a relationship with Robert, Julie? Don’t even think about lying to me!"

I looked down and whispered, "Yes."

He shook his head. "I had a feeling."

"I have to go now, Max," I said, preparing to leave. "Maybe that old man has left by now."

"You mean Robert’s father?"

"Yes, who else?"

I left the room and headed upstairs. As I stepped into the hallway, I saw Carlos coming toward me. But my eyes weren’t on Carlos. They were frozen on the person walking right behind him.

It was Steve. My brother!