Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 302

Chapter 302

LUMINA

I watched Riley fuss over Lake like a mother hen protecting her only chick, adjusting his pillows for the third time in as many minutes while the medical staff tried unsuccessfully to complete their assessment.

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The two boys were so focused on each other that they might as well have been alone in the room, their connection so intense it was

almost tangible.

“Lake, we need to check your reflexes,” Dr. Sloane said with strained patience, holding up a small hammer while Riley completely ignored her to hold a cup of water to Lake’s lips.

“Riley, the doctors need to examine him,” I tried gently, but my son didn’t even acknowledge I’d spoken. His entire world had narrowed to Lake’s well-being, to ensuring his friend was comfortable and safe and recovering properly.

Lake’s eyes never left Riley’s face as he sipped the water, and I realized with a start that they were communicating in that silent way Riley used to share with Sophia. The thought sent a chill through me-not because I resented their bond, but because I’d hoped Riley might finally be learning to connect with his real family instead of finding substitutes.

Dr. Sloane exchanged a glance with her colleague, and I could see them making the calculation about whether it was worth fighting

for Riley’s attention.

They’d been dealing with my son’s single-minded devotion to Lake for days now. They knew better than to push too hard.

Their eyes were locked on each other with an intensity that made me feel like an intruder. I’d seen that look before, in couples who’d been separated by war or disaster, in people who’d thought they’d lost everything only to have it miraculously restored.

Riley and Lake weren’t looking at each other like friends, or even like brothers. They were looking at each other like two halves of the

same soul that had finally been reunited.

It should have warmed my heart. Instead, it filled me with complicated worry that I couldn’t quite articulate.

“Lake,” Dr. Sloane said for the third time, her professional patience starting to fray slightly. “Can you tell me what year it is?”

Lake’s eyes didn’t leave Riley’s face. His lips moved slightly, but no sound came out that the rest of us could hear. Beside him, Riley nodded once, then turned to the doctor with that blank, medicated calmness that had become his default expression.

“He says it’s 2025,” Riley reported.

“October. He knows where he is and why he’s here. His memory is intact.”

Dr. Sloane made a note on her clipboard, her expression thoughtful.

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Chapter 302

“And you know this how?”

“He told me,” Riley said simply, as if that explained everything.

I exchanged glances with Xenois, who stood on the other side of the room looking equally confused.

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Neither of us had heard Lake speak, yet Riley was answering questions with complete confidence about what his friend was thinking. It was like watching two people communicate in a language only they understood.

“Lake,” the doctor tried again, addressing the boy directly. “I need you to answer verbally so I can assess your vocal and cognitive functions properly.”

This time Lake did turn to look at her, his pale eyes carrying a hint of irritation at the interruption. “I’m fine,” he said, his voice still rough from disuse but clear enough.

“Everything works. I remember everything. Can we please just… I need to talk to Riley.”

“We’ll give you a few minutes,” Dr. Sloane finally conceded, setting down her equipment with resigned acceptance.

“But we do need to complete the neurological assessment before we can finalize the discharge.”

Riley nodded absently, his hand never leaving Lake’s as he carefully set the empty cup on the bedside table. The moment the medical

staff stepped back, I saw his shoulders relax fractionally, as if their presence had been a physical threat he’d been guarding against.

“What happened?” Lake asked, his voice still rough from days of intubation but stronger than I’d expected. “After the basement?”

Riley’s expression shifted, and I watched him organize his thoughts from the dullness the medication had given him. The dulling of

his emotions had at least made it easier for him to discuss traumatic events without spiraling, though I wasn’t sure if that was progress or

just another form of damage.

“Your powers went crazy,” Riley explained, his thumb tracing absent patterns on Lake’s palm. “You were opening portals everywhere—

to the hospital, to places none of us recognized, to what looked like the middle of the ocean. The energy drain from holding that many

open at once knocked you out. You’ve been unconscious for more than days.”

Lake’s free hand came up to touch his chest, as if checking for damage he couldn’t see. “Three days? That’s… that’s a long time.”

“The longest three days of my life,” Riley said quietly, and I heard the crack in his carefully controlled voice.

“I thought you weren’t going to wake up. I thought I was going to lose you like I lost…” He trailed off, unable or unwilling to finish

that sentence.

Like he lost Sophia. Like he lost Andy. Like he’d lost every person he’d ever trusted before learning they’d lied to him about

fundamental aspects of his existence.

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Chapter 302

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“I’m never leaving you alone that long again,” Lake promised, squeezing Riley’s hand. “And next time, I’m not playing hero. That was stupid of me, pushing my powers that far.”

“It saved everyone,” Riley countered.

“If you hadn’t opened those portals when you did, we’d all still be trapped in that basement with Andy. Hell, we might all die from the explosion, you saved my life and indirectly saved theirs, even Andy”

I tried not to react to the casual mention of Andy’s name, tried not to show how much it hurt that Riley could discuss her with such

detachment.

The medication had dulled his grief along with everything else, leaving him able to process traumatic events like they were items on a checklist rather than life-altering experiences.

Lake shifted slightly in bed, and I saw his expression become thoughtful.

“Can I use my portals now? I want to test if they’re working

“No.” Riley’s response was immediate and firm, his grip on Lake’s hand tightening protectively. “You shouldn’t use them until you’re

completely better. What if you get stressed and something bad happens? What if you collapse again?”

“I’m fine,” Lake protested, but I could hear the uncertainty beneath his words. He wasn’t entirely sure he was fine, and Riley’s concern

was clearly affecting him.

“Just until you’re better,” Riley insisted. “I don’t want to risk it. We should stay here where the doctors can monitor you.”

I noticed Lake’s attention shift slightly, his gaze moving past Riley to where I stood near Dr. Sloane. He’d been so focused on Riley

that he hadn’t really registered the rest of us in the room, but now awareness was creeping back in. His expression became guarded, wary

in a way that suggested he understood the complexity of his position in this family.

“Riley,” I said softly, taking a small step closer to the bed. “The doctors need to finish their examination.”

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Reborn From Regret A Second Chance at Luna’s Heart