The Yakuza’s Mute Bride novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Chapter 45

The next morning arrived with a soft amber glow seeping through the thin hospital curtains For the first time in weeks, the sunlight did not feel intrusive or harsh. Instead, it fell upon my skin with the gentleness of something that wished to welcome me back into the world.

My condition has grown noticeably better over the past few days. Walking still required support, and certain movements sent faint pulses of pain through my legs, but the trembling had lessened, and my balance had begun to return. The doctors had been pleased-surprised even-with how quickly I responded to therapy.

This morning, the head physician entered with his clipboard held like a ceremonial scroll. Tadashi stood beside me, silent and attentive, while Ai lingered just behind him, her hands clasped politely against her apron. Yukito remained near the doorway, leaning against the frame with quiet watchfulness.

The doctor offered a gentle smile before adjusting his glasses.

“Well, Miss Hunter,” he said, “your progress is remarkable. Your wounds have healed well, your vitals are stable, and your mobility has improved significantly. There is no longer any medical reason to keep you here.”

My breath caught lightly.

I could go home?! However temporary London felt, however temporary this hospital room felt, the word carried a warmth I did not expect.

The doctor continued, “Nevertheless, you must take great caution. Your legs are healing, but they are not ready for full strain. You should avoid prolonged walking, avoid pushing your feet too hard, avoid any sudden movements, and continue using the support braces when necessary. Your body will tell you its limits-listen carefully.”

He looked between Tadashi and Ai, finding reassurance in their attentive faces.

“I trust she will be well cared for.”

Tadashi bowed his head slightly. “She will be.”

His tone left no room for doubt. The doctor smiled again before handing Ai a bundle of documents and instructions for home care.

“Congratulations on your recovery, Miss Hunter,” he said warmly. “You were incredibly brave.”

I bowed my head in gratitude, fingers curling around the sheets draped over my lap.

After a few last instructions, the doctor excused himself and left the room with the calmness of someone satisfied with his work. When the door closed behind him, Ai exhaled with visible relief, and Yukito stepped forward to help her gather my belongings from the table and closet.

I watched them for a moment, overwhelmed by gratitude. These people-strangers once-had become woven into the fragile structure of my new world.

A soft clicking sound interrupted my thoughts.

Tadashi had stepped out briefly to complete the discharge papers and finalize the arrangements for leaving the hospital. The moment the door closed behind him, the room felt strangely emptier, as if the air itself missed him.

I took the opportunity to inhale deeply, letting myself feel the quiet thrill of freedom.

However, the quiet did not last long.

Three gentle knocks sounded against the door.

12:48 Mon, Jan 12 TG.

Chapter 45

નવાઇ પમાં નિર

Ai turned instantly, pausing with my neatly folded sweater in her hands. Yukito’s eyes narrowed slightly in instinctive alertness, and the two other men assisting him fell into a tension that was nearly invisible-nearly.

“Come in,” Ai said politely, though her voice carried a sliver of caution.

The door opened, and Detective Alridge stepped inside.

He offered a polite smile, dipping his head in greeting toward everyone present. “I heard you are being discharged today. Miss Hunter. Congratulations.”

Ai stiffened, and Yukito’s eyes sharpened, reading every detail of the man’s posture. Even the two Masayoshi men collecting my things pretended to ignore him while I knew, with absolute certainty, that they listened to every syllable.

I picked up my phone and typed quickly before the detective could speak again.

“Hello, Detective.”

The device read my words aloud while I sat upright on the bed, waiting for Tadashi to return.

Detective Alridge took a brief look around, his gaze pausing on each of Tadashi’s men before returning to me. If he felt uneasy, he hid it behind a polite expression, though I sensed the worry beneath the surface. He could not ignore who surrounded me, or what their presence implied.

gave him an understanding smile before typing again, faster this time: “You are here to ask whether I have accepted your

I

offer?”

His eyes widened in shock, darting quickly toward Ai, Yukito, and the others. He lowered his voice out of caution, because he understood who these men were-even without being told.”

He exhaled heavily before pulling the nearest chair and sitting down. His shoulders slumped slightly, as if he felt the answer before I spoke.

“I suppose that means your answer is no,” he said with a resigned smile.

I shook my head gently before typing again.

But this time… I did not need the phone.

I forced the air through my damaged throat, ignoring the pain that bloomed like fire along the scars.

“I… love Tadashi.”

The words were distorted, fragile, imperfect-yet they were mine. My voice. Whatever remained of it.

Detective Alridge’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. For a moment, he simply stared, as if witnessing something he had no right to witness. His expression softened, touched by sincerity he could not argue against.

He nodded once. Slowly. Respectfully.

He understood.

Whether he felt loss, relief, or quiet acceptance, I could not tell. But he stood up with a calm dignity that made me grateful for him, even if he had been a complication in Tadashi’s world.

“Well,” he said gently, “you know how to reach me if you ever need help. Please take care of yourself, Miss Hunter.”

He turned toward the door-only to halt abruptly.

Tadashi stood there.

12:48 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 45

Leaning against the doorframe. Silent. Observing.

He did not move. He did not speak. He merely watched the detective with an expression that could freeze rivers.

Detective Alridge cleared his throat, bowed slightly, and offered a courteous farewell before slipping past him and exiting the room with careful steps.

Tadashi waited until the door clicked shut.

Only then did he step forward, his eyes softening the moment they fell on me.

“You are ready, love?” he asked, voice low and warm, a stark contrast to the cold silence he had offered the detective.

A gentle smile tugged at my lips, and I nodded.

He approached the bed with deliberate slowness, as though afraid of startling me. His hands slid beneath my arms, steady and secure, lifting me with a careful strength that made my heart ache. He supported my weight but did not rush me, guiding my feet to the floor with infinite patience.

Ai hurried forward with my walking brace, but Tadashi gently accepted it from her hands and knelt before me to secure it himself. He touched my leg as though it were something sacred, precious, irreplaceable.

When he rose, he slid an arm around my waist, holding me close, steadying me for the first steps out of the room.

The hallway awaited us.

The world awaited us.

I leaned into him, letting his warmth seep into my bones.

Together-Tadashi, Ai, Yukito, and I-walked out of the hospital. Step by slow step, breath by quiet breath.

And for the first time since the attack that almost stole my life, I felt something settle inside my chest.

Not fear. Not uncertainty and especially not guilt.

It was Hope. Real hope.

Because I was not leaving the hospital alone. I was leaving with the man who had waited for me, suffered without me, found me, chose me, and vowed never to let me go again.

And I believed him.

AD

Comment

Send gift

No Ads

12:48 Mon, Jan 12 TOG