Chapter 259: Shocked

The truth?" he barked. "The truth is Alex has turned Lucas against his own family."

Emily laughed bitterly. "Against his family?"

She shook her head.

"Lucas has spent his whole life trying to earn your approval. Even after everything you've put him through, all he ever wanted was for you to love him."

"I have always loved my son!"

"Then why couldn't you let him choose the person he loves?"

Her father's jaw clenched.

Emily stepped closer. "You should be thanking heaven that someone like Alex fell in love with Lucas. He respects him. He protects him. He'd willingly lay down his life for him."

Her father looked away.

Emily's voice softened. "Do you know what I saw today?"

He remained silent.

"I saw a man who hasn't left Lucas's bedside since the accident. A man who hasn't slept. A man who barely eats because he's terrified Lucas might wake up while he's gone."

Tears welled in her eyes. "He held Lucas's hand the entire time I was there."

Her father swallowed but said nothing.

"Derby never had that with my brother," Emily continued. "Not even once. There was never love between them. It was nothing more than a marriage forced on Lucas."

Her father frowned.

Emily took another step forward.

"For once..." Her voice cracked. "For once, Dad... stop thinking about family pride. Stop thinking about what people will say. Stop trying to control Lucas's life."

She sniffled.

"Show your son genuine love. Support his happiness. He needs you now more than ever."

Her father's expression hardened.

"And why should I support that relationship?"

Emily took a shaky breath.

"Because they genuinely love each other." she whispered. “And one more thing, Lucas is pregnant."

The room fell deathly silent like it had just shifted beneath his feet.

"No..." He shook his head in disbelief. "That's... that's impossible. "The doctor said…”

“The doctor said he had male organ. Yes he did but they didn't bother to explain his complicated biology because you were concerned with family legacy. Grandma told us everything but couldn't tell you because you were too stubborn.”

Their father stared with a wide eye. “What? Why would they hide such a thing from me. That's not true.”

Emily looked at him with tear-filled eyes. "It's the truth, Dad. And now more than ever brother needs his father."

Mr Westman staggered and settled back in his seat.

“Oh my goodness, he is pregnant? This is unbelievable. Is that why they refused my idea of cutting off the female organ on him? Is he really pregnant?”

Emily had already left him with his own thoughts.

Meanwhile, after the good nights,   Alex stared at the dark screen of his phone for a long moment after the call ended.

The silence in the hospital room settled around him again, broken only by the steady rhythm of the heart monitor beep sound.

He let out a slow breath and rubbed his tired eyes before pulling his chair closer to the bed.

Lucas lay motionless, his face unusually peaceful despite the bruises that still hadn't completely faded. Tubes and wires surrounded him, making Alex's chest tighten every time he looked at them.

He reached for Lucas's hand, carefully weaving their fingers together. It was still warm.

"Mom says everyone sends their love," he whispered, brushing his thumb over Lucas's knuckles. "Dad... Annie... Jason... Emily, they're all waiting for you to wake up."

His lips curved into a faint smile.

"You know... Emily called me her brother-in-law."

A soft chuckle escaped him.

"I wasn't expecting that."

He lowered his head, laughing quietly through the ache in his heart.

"She actually made me smile today."

His smile slowly faded. "I just wish your father could see what she sees."

His gaze drifted to Lucas's sleeping face. "I know he wants what's best for you. I understand why he doesn't trust me yet." He sighed heavily. "But I promise I'll spend the rest of my life proving I'm worthy of you."

Alex gently lifted Lucas's hand and pressed a lingering kiss against his fingers.

"Mom thinks he'll come around once he learns... we're going to have a baby." His voice trembled with emotion. "I hope she's right."

His free hand carefully brushed a few strands of hair away from Lucas's forehead.

"You've always carried everyone else's burdens." He smiled sadly. "Now it's my turn to carry yours."

A tear escaped before he could stop it.

"I miss your voice.".Another tear rolled down his cheek. "I miss the way you complain whenever I overwork."

He laughed softly. "I even miss you arguing with me, calling me possessive."

His grip tightened ever so slightly around Lucas's hand. "So enough sleeping, okay?"

He leaned closer until his forehead rested gently against Lucas's.

"Wake up, Baby." His voice cracked.

"Please, I've already imagined our future. Our home, our little family.

Our little one calling you Daddy while running into your arms."

His shoulders shook as another silent sob escaped him.

"I can't do any of that without you."

He kissed Lucas's forehead with all the love and desperation in his heart.

"So fight baby, Fight for me. Fight for our baby, most of all..."

He squeezed Lucas's hand and closed his eyes. "Fight for yourself."

I'll be right here. No matter how long it takes."

The room fell silent once more.

Only the monitor continued its steady rhythm of beeping sound.

Alex remained there, refusing to let go of the hand of the man he loved, believing with every fiber of his being that sooner, those beautiful eyes would open again.

Later that night, exhaustion finally caught up with Alex. Still holding Lucas's hand, he rested his head gently on the edge of the hospital bed.

"I'll only close my eyes for a minute," he murmured.

The steady beeping of the monitor became a lullaby..Within moments, sleep claimed him.

Morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains. Alex stirred awake with a stiff neck. He glanced at the clock, then at Lucas.

The same peaceful face. The same closed eyes. Leaning over, he kissed Lucas's forehead.

"I'll be back soon, Baby. I desperately need a shower." He reluctantly let go of Lucas's hand and quietly left the room.

Less than thirty minutes later, the door opened. Emily walked in first, followed by her father. For several seconds,

Mr. Westman stood frozen beside the bed. His eyes slowly wandered over his son's sleeping face.

The oxygen tube. The IV line. The bruises that were beginning to fade.

He looked as though he were seeing Lucas for the very first time, not as the successful son he had always expected him to be, but simply as his child.

His expression softened. "So much pain..." he whispered.

Emily quietly stepped beside him.

He didn't take his eyes off Lucas.

"Emily..."

"Yes, Dad?"

His voice trembled. "My son..."

He swallowed hard. "...is really carrying my grandchild?"

Emily smiled through watery eyes.

"Yes, Dad. He is pregnant."

Mr. Westman's hand instinctively reached for the bedrail.

"A miracle..." His eyes glistened.

"This... this is a miracle."

"It certainly is." The familiar voice made both of them turn.

Dr. Kornelly entered with a warm smile, carrying Lucas's medical file beneath one arm.

"Doctor, it has been a long time."

Mr. Westman greeted him respectfully.

Dr. Kornelly nodded. "Good morning."

He glanced around the room.

"What about Alex?"

Emily answered. "He went home to shower. He hasn't left Lucas's side since the accident."

Dr. Kornelly smiled knowingly.

"I figured as much."

Just then, the door opened again.

Alex stepped inside, his hair still damp from his shower. The moment he noticed Mr. Westman standing beside Lucas's bed, his footsteps stopped. His expression hardened.