Ran Away Pregnant Came Back Alpha Heiress (Amelia and Damien) novel Chapter 257

**Night Whispers Forgotten Names – Colin Shah 257**

**Chapter 257**

**Damien’s POV**

As the hours slipped away into the early morning, I found myself nursing a single cup of coffee, stretching it out like a lifeline. I was determined to avoid the breakroom, where the mere thought of encountering Annette again sent a shiver down my spine.

In the stillness of the night, my thoughts would often drift back to that room. I could vividly recall the serene expression on Annette’s face as she slept peacefully. But each time I caught myself wandering down that path, I pulled my mind back to the present, forcing my attention onto my daughter, who lay before me. I chastised myself silently for allowing Annette to intrude upon my thoughts.

It was evident that I was missing Amelia—deeply and profoundly. That had to be the reason Annette had crept into my mind, uninvited and unwelcome.

Damn it, I let my thoughts drift again.

With a firm shake of my head, I redirected my focus back to Stacy, just as I noticed her face twitch, her eyelids fluttering open like the wings of a butterfly awakening from slumber.

In that instant, all other concerns faded away, and my sole focus became the well-being of my daughter.

“Stacy?” I called softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

At first, her eyes were clouded, shrouded in a haze of sleep. But after a few blinks, clarity returned, and she looked at me, recognition dawning. “Daddy?”

A wave of relief washed over me, easing the tightness that had gripped my chest. I had been so anxious, so terrified that she might not wake up, or even worse, that if she did, something else would be amiss. But there she was, slightly disoriented yet unmistakably my daughter.

“It’s me,” I reassured her gently, my heart swelling with love.

She glanced around, confusion etched on her face. “Where am I?”

“You’re at the hospital,” I explained, keeping my tone calm. “You fell. Do you remember?”

She frowned slightly, her brow furrowing in thought. “Kind of. I got a little dizzy.”

“Exactly,” I confirmed. “That’s what happened. And then you fell.”

“Oh,” she replied, a hint of acceptance in her voice. She looked back at me, her expression shifting to one of concern. “I’m sorry.”

My heart ached at her words. “It’s not your fault, Stacy. You just weren’t feeling well. But the healers here, they’ve been helping…”

I chose to omit any mention of Annette. Perhaps I should have said something, but Stacy had enough on her plate, and I certainly did too. For now, discussing Annette would only complicate things further.

“How do you feel?” I asked, genuinely wanting to know.

“Okay,” she said, pausing to consider her answer. “Hungry.”

I chuckled softly, the sound lifting the heaviness in the air. “I bet. Let me fetch a healer to check you over, and then we’ll get you some food.”

I stepped into the hallway, seeking out a nurse to inform them that Stacy was awake. They sprang into action, moving quickly to locate a healer.

Given that Annette had spent the night in the breakroom, I half-expected her to stroll through the door at any moment. Instead, to my surprise, a different healer from the previous day entered to examine Stacy.

“Good morning, Stacy,” she greeted warmly. “We’re delighted to see you awake.”

“G’morning,” Stacy replied, her voice soft and shy.

“Daddy, where’s Mom?”

**Amelia’s POV**

While I was relieved to hear that Stacy was doing better, a wave of dread washed over me at the thought of returning to the Alpha King’s palace and facing the Alpha Ball. And Ian, who would surely be waiting for me.

Currently, I sat in the backseat of a car with Jake, who had insisted I leave the hospital.

“I know you wanted to stay,” he said, his tone gentle but firm. “And I admire your compassion, especially towards children. But now that Stacy is well, your responsibilities lie at the Ball.”

I sighed, feeling a mix of pride and reluctance. “I’m so proud of the work I did at the hospital,” I said, trying to steer the conversation towards a brighter note. I was eager to share my newfound revelations with my brother, my dreams for the future. “I’ve really been thinking that this could be my calling. I could even become a pediatrician and help save kids.”

Jake’s expression remained impassive, his eyes betraying none of my excitement. “You should discuss that with Ian. Since you will soon be his wife, it’s best to align with his wishes to ensure a happy marriage.”

The mention of marriage sent a jolt through me. I was barely dating Ian, and Jake was already talking about tying the knot? Sure, I understood that marriage was often the end goal of dating, but it felt far too soon to be having that conversation.

And the idea of molding myself to fit Ian’s expectations? That didn’t sit well with me at all.

“I envision a marriage that is more of a partnership,” I replied, my conviction growing stronger. “One where we can both express our ideas and work together through compromise.”

“There’s nothing inherently wrong with a husband making decisions,” Jake countered, his tone matter-of-fact. “Especially considering your past choices… well, they haven’t always been the best, Annette.”

His words struck me like a physical blow. My family rarely discussed my past before my amnesia, and hearing him voice those sentiments now stung more than I had anticipated.

What kind of person had I been back then, that even my own family felt ashamed of me?