Chapter 178 Aiden Wakes Up

Chapter 179: A New Life Begins

She turned and walked into the inner hospital room.

Aiden was lying in bed reading, looking focused.

She stood by the bed, watched him for a few seconds, then spoke softly, "Aiden, I need to talk to you."

Aiden's eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly. He turned his head to look at Keira.

Keira waited a few seconds, then continued, "You're already awake, and your body is recovering. With doctors and nurses here, you don't need me anymore."

She paused, trying her best to organize her words, wanting to end this relationship with dignity.

"Let's just leave things between us here. Whatever happened before—right or wrong, love or hate—it's all in the past." Her hand gently touched her belly, then quickly dropped.

"From now on, let's not bother each other. We'll each live our own lives. It's better for you, for me, for everyone."

She spoke slowly and clearly.

Then quietly waited for his response.

In the hospital bed, Aiden's heart felt like it was being squeezed by a hand, the pain making it almost impossible to breathe.

He wanted to roar, to grab her, to use every means possible to make her stay!

But his mind flashed through everything that had happened between them.

A strong sense of powerlessness flooded over him like a tide.

Could he keep her body, could he keep her heart?

Maybe Dashiell was right—all he brought her was pain and disaster.

He really should let go.

This might be the last thing he could do for her.

And the only thing that could make her feel a little "better."

After a long while, so long that Keira thought he wouldn't respond and was about to turn and leave.

From the hospital bed came a hoarse whisper, "Okay."

Just one word.

But it seemed to take all his strength.

Keira's whole body stiffened. She looked at him in disbelief.

He actually agreed? Just like that?

She had expected an argument, but he just agreed?

She sighed inwardly.

After the surprise came an even more complicated emotion.

It was like a string that had been taut, suddenly loosened, leaving her somewhat uncomfortable.

After a long silence, she just nodded lightly, "Alright then, I'll go. Take care of yourself."

With that, she didn't linger, turning toward the hospital room door.

In the bed, Aiden turned his head away, not watching her leave.

Only after the door was gently closed and that familiar presence disappeared did he slowly open his eyes.

In his deep eyes, turbulent waves surged.

Tears, without warning, slid from the corners of his eyes. So he could cry too.

Yes, he had made a decision that surprised even himself.

From now on, there would be no "from now on" in their story.

Outside the hospital room.

Keira took out her phone and sent Sean a message: "Coming back tomorrow."

Then she put away her phone.

A new life was really about to begin. She was happy.

She quickly packed her things and was preparing to leave the hospital when Aiden called Justin over.

"Arrange a car to take Keira away."

Justin looked up in shock, his expression complicated.

But he also knew that this time, Aiden might have really let go.

He lowered his head, "Yes, Mr. Coleman."

But just as Justin was about to lead Keira out, Mira blocked the doorway with two bodyguards.

"Stop!" Mira said sternly, "You think you can just leave like this?"

Keira stopped and looked at her calmly, "Mrs. Coleman, this is Aiden's decision."

"His decision?" Mira laughed coldly, stepping forward to stare at Keira, "He just woke up, his body hasn't recovered, his mind is unstable. How can what he says count?"

She paused, her tone softening, "Keira, I don't care if you're really noble or just pretending.

But I'm telling you, you know in your heart how Aiden has treated you.

He's at his most vulnerable right now, when he needs someone most, and you're just walking away.

Can you face him after the injuries he suffered for you, after he almost lost his life for you?"

Keira's face turned pale.

Even at this point, Mira still wouldn't let her go.

How ridiculous.

"Aren't you afraid I'll keep entangling with Aiden and hurt him again?" she said coldly.

Mira's expression changed, "You!"

At that moment, a hoarse, tired voice came from the stairway direction.

"Mom, that's enough."

Everyone looked over.

Aiden had appeared at the top of the stairs at some point.

He was wearing dark hospital clothes with a coat thrown casually over them, his face still frighteningly pale.

His injuries hadn't healed—how could he get out of bed?

Mira was startled and quickly went forward to support him.

"Aiden! How did you get down here? The doctor told you to stay in bed. Go back quickly!"

Aiden gently waved his hand, avoiding her support.

"I'm the one who told her to leave." He looked at Mira and repeated.

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried finality. "This is my decision. It has nothing to do with her. Please don't make things difficult for her anymore."

"Aiden, you're confused!" Mira stamped her foot anxiously, her voice breaking with tears.

"In your condition, how can you let her go? If she leaves, what will you do?

Looking at you like this breaks my heart! What's wrong with her staying to take care of you? Can't the Coleman family afford to support her?"

"I'll take care of my own body." Aiden's voice lowered.

"From now on, she is she, I am I. Where she wants to go, who she wants to be with—that's her freedom.

No one in the Coleman family, including you, is allowed to bother her or interfere with her anymore. Otherwise,"

He raised his eyes to look at Mira, "Don't blame me for not acknowledging you as my mother or this family."

Mira was so shocked by his last sentence that she stepped back, her lips trembling, unable to say a word.

She had never seen Aiden look at her with such eyes or speak to her in such a tone.

Aiden stopped looking at Mira. He turned to Keira, who had been silent the whole time.

Their eyes met, both filled with emotions too complex to express.

Finally, Aiden looked away first, turning to Justin beside him.

"Justin, take her to the car."

"Yes, Mr. Coleman." Justin lowered his head and responded solemnly.

Aiden looked at Keira one last time, as if wanting to carve her image into his heart one final time.

Then, without any hesitation, he turned toward the stairs, leaving it all behind.

Keira stared blankly at his thin, lonely figure disappearing around the stairway corner.

That last taut string in her heart finally let go completely.

He really let go.

"Ms. Lynn, please." Justin's voice sounded beside her.

Keira withdrew her gaze, took a deep breath, and turned to walk toward Justin's car.

The sunlight was a bit glaring, falling on her body, bringing real warmth.

The free wind brushed across her face.

She was truly free.

But why did a corner of her heart feel like something had been carved out, leaving it empty?

After a twelve-hour flight, she arrived in Westerland and reunited with Apollo, Ella, and Sean.

Around the long dining table sat the family reunited after a long separation, having dinner together.

Apollo and Ella sat in their booster seats, their little faces flushed from the steam, chattering nonstop.

Luke was there too, sitting beside Keira, occasionally serving her food.

Sean smiled as he took care of Apollo and Ella, being especially attentive.

Keira's nerves, taut for so long, finally completely relaxed.

"Mommy, this shrimp is so good! Here, you eat it!" Ella scooped up a shrimp and put it in Keira's bowl.

"Thank you, Ella." Warmth filled Keira's heart as she quickly caught it with her bowl and touched Ella's soft hair.

"Keira, you should eat more, too. Look how thin you've gotten." Luke served her a piece of beef, his tone full of concern. "Just settle down here from now on. With me here and Sean here, we're not afraid of anything."