Chapter 290

Chapter 290
【Luna's Perspective】

"Then why not explain in detail?" I stood in the doorway, my voice acidic.

Max's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and joy crossing his features before he composed himself. The clean, sterile room held only him and Orion, who quickly grabbed his white cane.

"Luna came," Orion announced, rising from his chair. "I'll get going now."

"Orion, I'll walk you out," I offered, not quite ready to face Max alone. After all the worry and grief of the past month, seeing him casually discussing another woman stung more than I'd expected.

Max reached out as if to stop me, then hesitated, his hand falling back to the bed.

Outside the hospital room, I guided Orion toward the exit, frustration bubbling over. "He doesn't even want to see me. If I hadn't forced Kevin to tell me where he was, he'd still be hiding his whereabouts."

Orion shook his head. "What nonsense is that? He's been desperate to see you. He just didn't want you to see him injured."

"And Lily?" I couldn't help asking.

"Luna, I brought up Lily first, don't blame Max for that. And don't be needlessly jealous," Orion advised gently.

"Fine, Orion," I replied, helping him navigate the hospital entrance.

After sending Orion off, I returned to find Max limping anxiously through the corridor, looking for me.

"What are you doing out of bed?" I exclaimed.

The moment he spotted me, he moved toward me with surprising speed despite his injury. I rushed forward to support him, but instead found myself enveloped in his arms, pressed tightly against his chest.

"Luna... Luna..." he murmured into my hair, his voice thick with emotion.

My carefully maintained anger dissolved as tears welled up and spilled over. "Max, if you ever leave Liam and me again to risk your life like this, I won't forgive you."

"Never again," he promised, his grip tightening. "Never again."

"Thank you for saving my parents and Matthew," I whispered. "Thank you for coming back safely. Thank you—"

"I'm your husband," he interrupted. "Don't thank me."

Drawing back slightly, I searched his face. "Is William dead?"

Max's expression darkened. "Let's talk inside."

I helped him back to his room, settling him carefully on the bed before reaching for the drawstring of his surgical pants to check his wound.

"Luna," he said with a hint of mischief, "this is a hospital. No matter how eager you are, this isn't the place."

My face burned. "That's not—I just wanted to see your injury! Is that what you think of me?"

He laughed, pulling me into his arms. "It's just a small wound, a few stitches. Nothing worth looking at."

I settled against him, savoring the warmth of his body, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, and the familiar scent I'd feared I might never experience again.

Max tilted my chin up, capturing my lips in a deep kiss. I initially tried to push away, hands pressed against his chest.

"This is a hospital," I protested when he finally released me. "Nurses come in regularly. You shouldn't—"

"It's just a kiss," he murmured. "Nothing inappropriate."

"Wasn't it you who just accused me of being too eager?"

"That's different."

"Not really."

His eyes softened. "Luna, please. Just one more kiss?"

"No, it's not appropriate here. When we get home."

Max pulled the privacy curtain closed around the bed. "Better now?"

"One minute," I conceded.

"Thirty seconds."

"Two more seconds."

I kept refusing, but seeing his disappointed expression, I finally gave in, throwing my arms around his neck and giving him the kiss he so desperately wanted. It lasted far longer than the promised time, ending only when Max was thoroughly satisfied.

"I want to be discharged now," he announced abruptly.

"Your wound hasn't healed yet."

"It's nothing serious."

"Why the rush?"

His answer was blunt. "I want to go home and sleep with you."

I punched his chest lightly, which he immediately exaggerated into a pained groan that made my heart stop before I realized he was teasing.

"I'm going to tell your parents their daughter is abusing me," he threatened playfully.

"You're becoming quite the scoundrel," I sighed.

"Max, I'll stay here tonight to keep you company," I offered, looking at the narrow hospital bed.

His eyes lit up. "Perfect. I'll lie on the bottom, and you can sleep on my chest."

"I meant I'll use the companion bed."

"Sleep on me."

"You're injured. I might hurt your leg."

"It doesn't matter. Sleep on me."

"No."

"You have to stay with me."

"Then maybe I should go home after all."

"Luna," he complained, "are you deliberately torturing me?"

"Be good," I coaxed. "I'll visit first thing tomorrow."

"You're not going anywhere. Stay with me."

A knock interrupted our banter, followed by a female voice. "Max?"

It was Lily.