Chapter 215

Noah

I was running on fumes.

Not even running—dragging.

Everything inside me felt wrung out, stretched thin, like one more shock would snap something in me for good.

Aiden and I sat in the waiting room with Hale, the three of us too wired to sit still and too exhausted to stand. Every few minutes Aiden would reach over and squeeze my hand. I didn’t know if he was grounding me or grounding himself… probably both.

Hale came back from talking with the nurses and handed us each a paper cup of terrible coffee. “Drink,” he said. “It won’t help, but it gives your hands something to do.”

I tried. It tasted like burnt mud.

Aiden brushed his thumb over my knuckles. “How did William take it?” he asked quietly.

I let out a breath, leaning back. “He bought it. Or—he wants to buy it. We stuck to the version Lexie and I rehearsed. That we ran into Micah at the jazz bar, that he started feeling sick, and she offered to drive him home while I stayed behind.”

Aiden raised an eyebrow.

I shrugged. “He didn’t question much. He was too worried about her.”

Hale rubbed his jaw. “Knowing William’s personality, if something feels off, he’ll try to verify the story. But don’t panic.” He tapped his phone. “I know the owners of that bar. I’ll warn them ahead of time. If he calls, they’ll confirm you three were there. Covered.”

The knot in my chest loosened. “Thank you,” I murmured.

“Don’t thank me,” Hale said. “You two are family. And Micah… well. He’s mine.”

His voice cracked on that last word, and it hit me like a punch.

Hours passed. Long, dragging hours.

Then—finally—a nurse approached.

“Micah is awake. Still groggy, but stable. You can see him. One at a time or… two, if you’re quiet.”

Aiden didn’t even wait for permission. We were on our feet before she finished talking.

Micah looked… small.

Weak.

Nothing like the loud, loaded-gun disaster we knew.

He blinked up at us, pupils slow, lashes heavy. Hale stayed by the door, giving us space.

I sat at the edge of the bed. “Hey, drama king.”

A slow, weak smile tugged at his mouth. “Ugh… don’t make me laugh. It hurts.”

Aiden leaned closer, brushing his fingers through Micah’s hair the way only he’d ever been allowed to. “Your surgery went well.”

Micah frowned slightly. “Can I go home now?”

“No,” I said, gently poking his arm. “You’re fine. But you'll still need the extra attention, as usual.”

He blinked sluggishly. “Lexie…?”

“She’ll be back soon,” I promised. “She had to leave with her father. But she’ll visit the moment she can.”

Micah closed his eyes briefly, relief softening his whole face. “Good… I liked her.”

A faint, embarrassed smile tugged at him.

“We are already holding hands.”

I snorted. “Yeah, buddy, I'm pretty sure I held your hand too before your surgery.”

He huffed a laugh—then winced.

Aiden sat on the other chair, voice warm but teasing. “The club won’t be the same without our star sub. And I hear there’s a certain lady who’d make an excellent stage partner…”

Micah instantly flushed, cheeks pink even through the hospital lighting. “She's kinda… engaged.” Micah looked down, more serious now.

I crossed my arms, smirking. “William would kill all of us, but… honestly? You’d have my blessing. ”

Micah tried to joke. It came out soft. “Don’t… don’t say that. I’ll get emotional.”

“Too late,” I whispered, brushing his hand.

We stayed until his eyes began to drift shut again.

The nurse gently ushered us out.

In the hallway, Aiden paused, pressed a hand against the wall, and for a second—just one—his shoulders shook.

Hale approached him quietly, voice low. “Go.”

Aiden nodded, swallowed, and stepped back inside Micah’s room alone, the door closing behind him.

I didn’t follow.

Some moments weren’t mine to witness.

And those two… they had years worth of hurt and history to lay to rest.

I leaned back against the hallway wall, letting out a long breath, hoping—praying—that this day would end without another disaster.

Because I didn’t know how much more any of us could take. Eventually, I sat next to Hale in the dim waiting room. He handed me a snack bar, taking a deep breath.

“How are you holding on?” he finally asked.

I honestly didn't know the answer to that because I kinda wasn't holding on at all. I was usually on autopilot. “Well, if there's a chance the wedding is postponed because of this, I would be weirdly grateful.”

“I’m updated,” he said quietly. “Aiden told me everything.”

My throat tightened. “Thank you. Really. For being there for him. I… I know he needed someone.”

Hale’s expression softened. “I’m just glad he let me.”

We sat in silence for a moment. I could still hear faint beeping from Micah’s monitors. I hated it. I hated all of it.

I rubbed my hands together. “Hale… can I ask you something? Honestly?”

He angled toward me. “Of course.”

“The cases,” I said, voice low. “What do your lawyers think? Realistically.”

He sighed. Not annoyed—just tired. “They’re digging into both situations nonstop. For your mother’s case… if William ever withdraws, they’ll take over. They’d continue pushing the protection order, the divorce, everything. As long as William’s legal team doesn’t actively fight back.”

A spike of dread shot through me. “Fight back how?”

He hesitated. “Only one scenario, really. If William decided to represent your father.”

My stomach dropped.

My hands went cold.

“What?” I breathed. “He wouldn’t—he can’t—that would be—”

“The end of everything,” I finished for myself. My chest felt like it was caving in. “Oh God.”

Hale shook his head sharply. “Noah, listen to me. That man hates your father. You know that. There is no universe where William aligns himself with him. None.”

I nodded, but it still felt like someone had slammed ice water into my veins, because I wasn't so sure.

Hale leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Now… your contract.”

The second wave of dread hit. “What about it?” I whispered.

He gave me a long, steady look. “We found a potential loophole.”

I swallowed hard. “A… a loophole?”

“The contract isn’t truly lifelong,” he said. “It’s for five years, initially. Renewable only if the athlete maintains peak performance and fulfills all appearances, promotional obligations, and public-image requirements.”

I blinked. “Okay… and?”

“And William has already dinged your reputation by isolating you, restricting your movements, and forcing a public engagement you didn’t agree to. If your performance dips even slightly? If your emotional wellbeing is compromised? If he makes one more controlling move that can be construed as interference and we could prove it over time in a court of law…”

He sat back, voice calm, almost clinical.

“…the contract defaults. You regain your freedom.”

My heart hammered.

“So you’re saying… in five years… I could be free?” My voice cracked. “I could actually—”

“Yes,” Hale said. “If anything were to affect your future performance or wellbeing, you’d have grounds to claim early retirement or indefinite sick leave. It’s not ideal… but five years are enough to financially secure your future.”

I pressed a hand over my mouth, trying not to break.

Five years wasn’t short.

But it wasn’t forever.

And after everything… that suddenly felt like hope.

Real hope.

Hale rested a hand on my shoulder. “And when the time comes to fight it? Aiden and I won’t let you do it alone.”

My chest swelled painfully at the sound of Aiden’s name—at the idea of a future that didn’t feel like a locked cage.

Before I could speak, Hale squeezed my shoulder and nodded toward Micah’s room.

“I’ll stay with him today,” he said gently. “You should spend some time with Aiden… before the two of you are forced apart for a while.”

My chest tightened. “That would be nice. Thank you, Hale.”

We both looked up as Aiden opened the door, eyes red, shoulders heavy. Hale rose immediately, ready to slip inside and take over.

“And Noah,” Hale added, turning back to me with a look that somehow saw everything. “Five years is nothing… but it can also be a very long time. Make sure you’re both ready for that.”