Chapter 193 Mother's Blessing

Chapter 193 Mother's Blessing

The next day, the weather was gorgeous.

Though Michael's back injury still kept him from moving around much, he insisted on going with Emily to the hospital to see Natalie.

After weeks of treatment by the top medical team and round-the-clock care, Natalie's condition had improved significantly.

She still couldn't move on her own or speak clearly, but her awareness seemed much sharper.

Her eyes were no longer vacant, and she occasionally responded to sounds and touch—even seemed to vaguely recognize Emily.

Rhea mentioned that whenever Emily visited, Natalie's heart rate would stabilize more than usual, and her eyes would brighten, as if she could sense Emily's presence.

The hospital room was flooded with sunlight, streaming through the spotless windows onto the white bed, warm and soothing.

Emily sat at Natalie's bedside, carefully holding Natalie's frail hand.

Those hands had once been warm and strong, but now they were just skin and bones, the joints stiff from being bedridden so long.

Her eyes welled up, her voice soft but filled with barely contained excitement: "Mom, can you hear me? It's Emily. I came to see you. I've got two pieces of amazing news—Michael and I got married. I'm his wife now."

As she spoke, she glanced up at Michael standing beside her. Though his face was still pale, he stood tall, watching them with gentle eyes.

Michael caught her look and stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Emily by the bed, his gaze falling on Natalie's face with genuine respect.

"And... Mom, I'm pregnant." Emily gently placed Natalie's hand on her still-flat belly, her voice catching.

"Don't worry, we're doing great, we're happy... You have to get better soon so you can meet your grandchild. We'll all go see the ocean together, okay?"

She kept stroking the back of Natalie's hand, her tone full of hope.

Natalie's cloudy eyes moved painfully slowly, her gaze seemingly struggling to focus on Emily's face.

Her cracked lips trembled slightly, producing a few extremely faint, barely audible sounds, as if trying to respond.

In Natalie's eyes was an emotion that seemed to break through long darkness—faint but unmistakably real comfort and joy.

Her eyes were no longer empty and lost.

A cloudy tear slowly rolled down from the corner of her wrinkled eye, dripping onto the white sheets and spreading into a small wet spot.

She said nothing, but Emily understood everything.

She gripped Natalie's hand tightly, nodding hard: "I know, Mom... We're going to be so happy, and you need to get better, wake up soon. We still need to take family photos together..."

She leaned down, gently pressing her cheek against the back of Natalie's hand, feeling that faint warmth, her heart overflowing.

After all these years of waiting and hoping, she was finally seeing a glimmer of light.

Michael also leaned down, making a solemn promise to Natalie: "Mom, don't worry. I'll protect Emily and our child with my life, give them a real home, and never let them be hurt again.

From now on, I'll handle everything—you just focus on getting better. When you wake up, we're bringing you home."

His voice was steady and firm, carrying absolute conviction, filling Emily's heart with a sense of safety she'd never known.

This warm and touching scene even had Rhea secretly wiping away tears.

Rhea said softly to Emily: "Ms. Harrison, Mrs. Harrison's response today is stronger than usual. She really heard what you said. Maybe it won't be long before she wakes up."

Emily stayed in the room with Natalie a while longer. When she saw Natalie looking tired, slowly closing her eyes, her breathing becoming steady and even, Emily and Michael quietly said their goodbyes and prepared to leave.

Before leaving, Emily specifically told Rhea to call her immediately if anything happened, and left freshly made chicken soup for Rhea to feed Natalie on schedule.

But as they walked out of the inpatient building and were about to get in their car, Emily's gaze inadvertently glanced at the parking lot, and her expression instantly darkened—

A familiar black luxury car was parked not far from them.

That was Lonnie's car!

Sure enough, the car door opened, and Lonnie stepped out.

He wore an impeccable suit, his hair perfectly groomed, his face wearing that carefully calculated warm smile as he walked toward them.

"Emily, Mr. Wilson, what a coincidence." Lonnie greeted them with a smile, his gaze sweeping over Emily and Michael before landing on the diamond ring on Emily's finger, his smile deepening. "Looks like the news online is true. Congratulations—I wish you both a lifetime of happiness."

Emily's eyes turned cold. She instinctively stepped forward, her tone icy: "Mr. Caldwell, what are you doing here? I want you to stay away from my mother!"

She knew Lonnie's true nature all too well—outwardly charming but inwardly cunning and ruthless. His sudden appearance here couldn't mean anything good.

Lonnie's face showed a perfectly measured expression of hurt and helplessness. He spread his hands: "Emily, look at you, still so suspicious of me. I just heard your mother's condition has improved recently, and as an old friend, I came to visit and show my concern. After all, back in the day, your mother and I..."

"That won't be necessary!" Emily cut him off sharply, her eyes like knives. "My mother doesn't need your 'concern,' and the Harrison family doesn't welcome you! Don't show up here again!"

Though Michael was physically weak, his eyes instantly became sharp and alert.

He moved Emily behind him, staring coldly at Lonnie like a lion guarding its territory. Though he said nothing, the invisible pressure was already radiating outward.

His hand gripped Emily's tightly, transmitting strength to her, signaling her not to worry.

Lonnie's smile faltered for a moment before returning to normal. He looked at Michael, his tone carrying a nauseating elder's "concern."

"Michael, no need to be so defensive. Come to think of it, Emily's mother and I go way back. I've always thought of Emily as my own daughter. Seeing her find such a good match now, I'm genuinely happy for her..."

"Daughter?" Emily laughed as if she'd heard the world's biggest joke, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Mr. Caldwell, spare us the performance! I can't afford to have an 'elder' like you!"

"I'm warning you—don't touch my mother, and don't even think about seeing her! If anything happens to my mother, I swear I won't let you get away with it!"