When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 596

**Chapter 596: A Sign of Hope**

Waylon ended the call, his heart heavy, and turned his gaze toward Natalie, who sat across from him, her expression a mixture of resolve and anxiety.

“Natalie,” he began, his voice thick with emotion, “you’ve endured so much over the years.”

She offered him a small, reassuring smile. “It’s alright, Waylon. That’s all behind me now. What matters is that we go see my brother.”

A flicker of genuine curiosity danced in Natalie’s eyes as thoughts of her older brother filled her mind. Who was he after all this time?

Ruby, too, felt a swell of anxiety bubbling within her. This was her biological son, a child she hadn’t laid eyes on in over two decades. The weight of her emotions pressed down on her chest like a heavy stone. As a mother, the guilt was unbearable.

Jonas had leveraged his family’s connections to facilitate their entry into the hospital, a small act of kindness that felt monumental in this moment of uncertainty.

When Natalie finally laid eyes on Moses, lying frail and vulnerable on the hospital bed, a wave of emotions washed over her. He was connected to a maze of machines, his once robust frame now reduced to skin and bones, yet the resemblance was undeniable. The sight made her heart ache, and she felt her nose tingle with the threat of tears.

Ruby, unable to contain herself any longer, collapsed at her son’s bedside, her sobs echoing off the sterile walls.

“Moses, it’s Mom! I’m here for you. Please, open your eyes and look at me!” Her voice trembled with desperation, a mother’s love pouring out in waves.

She longed to grasp her son’s hand, to feel the warmth of his skin against hers, but fear gripped her. What if she accidentally disturbed the delicate instruments surrounding him?

Natalie had never met Moses before, yet something deep within her stirred at the sight of him. Perhaps it was their shared blood that forged an instant connection, or perhaps it was simply the heartbreaking reality of his condition that weighed heavily on her heart.

Setting aside their familial ties, she couldn’t help but feel a profound respect for Moses. His contributions to the country were significant, and knowing that he had dedicated his life to a greater cause filled her with admiration.

Kneeling beside his bed, Natalie spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m Natalie. I’ve come home. Mom and Dad have been incredibly good to me. I’ve also found love and married a wonderful man. We have twin children now. Hayes can’t hurt me or control me anymore.”

A tear slipped down her cheek as she continued, “This is the first time I’m learning about my brother, and I’m so proud of you. Dad always said that the children of the Stone family have a backbone. No matter how much we suffer, we always rise again, right? The research project you and Aunt worked on—it’s succeeded. You can come home now.”

“Have you met my son and daughter? I can’t wait for you to see them! My daughter is so well-behaved and absolutely adorable; I know you’ll love her. My son, well, he’s a bit of a handful, but they say nephews take after their uncles. I’m sure he’ll have plenty to share with you when you meet. I want you to get better, Moses. Let’s be a complete family again, okay?”

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, a mixture of hope and sorrow intertwining in her heart.

Baron, standing nearby, couldn’t bear to see Natalie in distress. He quickly reached into his pocket and handed her a tissue. “Honey, he will definitely get better,” he reassured her, though the uncertainty loomed over them all.

Ruby’s cries filled the room, a heartbreaking symphony of a mother’s anguish.

Yet, the one truly suffering was Waylon. He stood there, his heart twisting painfully in his chest, the memories of the day he lost Moses flooding back. How could he have let this happen?

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify