Chapter 159 CHAPTER 160

Chapter 159 CHAPTER 160
CHAPTER 160
KNOX
The hospital room was full of noise and relief. Yael was sitting up in bed, still weak but smiling as everyone talked over each other. I was holding her hand, not wanting to let go even for a second. Maya was telling a funny story about how she almost cried when she heard Yael was awake. Jordan and Liam were laughing. Aaron stood near the bed, looking more relaxed than I had seen him in days.

Then the door burst open.

Yael and Aaron’s dad rushed in, breathing hard like he had run the whole way from the parking lot. His eyes were red and his face was full of worry. The second he saw Yael, he froze for a split second, then hurried to the bed.

“Yael,” he said, his voice cracking. “My baby girl.”

He leaned down and pulled her into a careful hug, mindful of her injuries. Yael wrapped her good arm around him and started crying.

“Dad,” she whispered. “You came.”

“Of course I came,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “The second Aaron called me, I got on the first flight. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner. I’m so sorry you had to go through this alone.”

Yael shook her head against his shoulder. “I wasn’t alone. Aaron was here. Knox was here. Everyone was here. But I missed you so much.”

Dad pulled back and cupped her face gently, wiping her tears with his thumbs. “Look at you. My strong girl. I heard what happened. I’m so proud of you for fighting. Your mom would be so proud too.”

Aaron stepped closer, his voice rough. “Dad, she was so brave. She held on for three days. She never gave up.”

Dad turned and pulled Aaron into a hug too. “You did good, son. You protected your sister. I’m proud of both of you. I wish I could have been here earlier.”

Aaron hugged him back tightly. “You’re here now. That’s what matters.”

I stood there quietly, watching the family moment. It was beautiful and emotional, but I felt a little out of place. This was their dad. The man who had raised Yael and Aaron. I wanted him to like me, but after everything with Aaron, I was nervous he might not.

Dad finally pulled back and looked around the room. His eyes landed on me.

“You must be Knox,” he said.

I swallowed hard and stepped forward. “Yes, sir. I’m Knox. It’s nice to meet you.”

Dad looked me up and down for a second. I felt my stomach twist. I really didn’t want him to hate me.

Before he could say anything, Maya grinned. “Oh this is going to be good. Knox is nervous.”

Jordan laughed softly. “He’s been practicing what to say in his head for the last ten minutes.”

Liam smirked. “He keeps calling him ‘sir’ in his mind. It’s adorable.”

I felt my face heat up. “Come on, guys. Not helping.”

Dad raised an eyebrow, but there was a small smile on his face. “Nervous, huh?”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “A little, sir. I know Aaron and I had our issues in the past. I just… I really care about your daughter. I love her. I would do anything for her. I know I’m not perfect, but I’m trying to be the man she deserves.”

Yael looked at me with soft eyes. “Knox, you don’t have to be nervous. My dad is nice.”

Dad chuckled. “Relax, son. I already heard a lot about you from Aaron and from Yael’s messages. You were the one who carried her out of that place. You stayed with her the whole time. That says more than any introduction ever could.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Thank you, sir. I really do love her. I’m not going anywhere.”

Aaron cleared his throat. “He’s alright, Dad. We’re… working on things.”

Dad looked between us and smiled. “Good. That’s all I want to hear. My kids deserve to be happy. And safe.”

Maya clapped her hands. “See? No one hates anyone. We’re all one big happy, slightly dysfunctional family now.”

Jordan grinned. “Except Knox still looks like he’s about to pass out from nerves.”

Liam laughed. “He was practicing his introduction in the hallway earlier. It was cute.”

I groaned. “You guys are the worst.”

Yael reached out and took my hand, pulling me closer to the bed. “They’re just teasing you because they love you. My dad already likes you. Right, Dad?”

Dad nodded. “As long as you keep making my daughter smile like that, we’re good.”

I felt the tension leave my shoulders. “I plan to keep doing that for a very long time.”

The room filled with light conversation again. Dad sat on the edge of Yael’s bed and held her hand while she told him what had happened. He listened quietly, his eyes full of love and pain at the same time.

“I’m so sorry you went through that,” he said softly. “But you are so strong. Just like your mother.”

Yael smiled through fresh tears. “I had a lot of people fighting for me. I wasn’t alone.”

Aaron stood beside the bed. “We’ve got her back now, Dad. And we’re not letting anything like this happen again.”

Dad looked at all of us. “Thank you. All of you. For being there for my kids when I couldn’t be.”

Maya smiled. “We’re family. That’s what we do.”

The conversation continued, warm and emotional. I stayed close to Yael the whole time, holding her hand. For the first time in days, the room felt full of hope instead of fear.

Yael looked up at me and whispered, “Thank you for being here.”

I kissed her forehead. “Always. I’m never leaving your side again.”

The group kept talking and laughing softly. Even with everything we had bee
n through, we were still here. Together. And that felt like the biggest victory of all.