The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 156

When Love Doesn’t Sleep

The twins carefully climbed onto the hospital bed, one on each side of him, their small hands touching his arms so gently, as if they were afraid he might break like glass.

“You scared us so bad, Daddy,” Amelia whispered, trying so hard to sound strong and brave but failing completely. Her bottom lip was trembling. “But you look better now. You’re awake.”

Andrew nodded seriously, his expression solemn beyond his years. “We brought you a card that we made together, And we brought grapes from home because you like grapes. And Grandma packed biscuits. And Uncle Jacob said if you didn’t wake up properly soon, he was going to pour cold water on your head.”

Jacob, standing near the door, raised both hands innocently. “I said it with love, I swear. It was a joke.”

Despite everything, despite all the pain and fear and uncertainty crushing his chest, Elijah smiled. A real, genuine and grateful smile. The first real smile he’d managed since.

He glanced at his mother, and she smiled back knowingly. She’d been right. The kids did need him. And he needed them.

His chest loosened slightly as he watched his children settle on the bed beside him. They started chattering about normal kid things, about the snacks they’d seen in the vending machine downstairs, asking why hospital beds could move up and down like transformers, wondering if the doctors had superhero medical tools.

Their innocent laughter, their easy joy, carved light into the heavy darkness that had been choking him for days.

For the first time since Hannah had disappeared from that parking lot, since this nightmare had begun, he felt actual warmth in his chest.

Lucas, ever the jokester even in serious situations, cracked a joke about how the hospital gowns looked like ” designer prison uniforms that absolutely nobody would pay for.” It got a weak laugh from everyone.

Martin pulled up a chair and quietly updated Elijah on the arrest details, keeping his voice low so the kids wouldn’t hear the disturbing parts. How Janet had been formally charged with kidnapping, attempted murder, and arson. How her parents were facing similar charges.

Maya, practical as always, had brought Elijah a clean, comfortable sweater and some of his own pajama pants. Because hospital gowns are absolutely horrible and you need to feel like a human,” she’d said.

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