Chapter 165 CHAPTER 165

Chapter 165 CHAPTER 165
CHAPTER 165
THIRD PERSON'S POV

The morning light came through the hospital window, gentle and yellow making shadows across the clean room. Elysia moved, her neck stiff from the position she had fallen asleep in.

She had spent the night sitting in the chair to Kieran's bed, her hand still holding his, her head resting on the edge of the mattress.

She opened her eyes, her vision adjusting to the light. For a moment she couldn't remember where she was. Then the memories came, the crash, the hospital, the news that Kieran was in a coma. Her heart felt heavy, the weight of it pressing on her.

She looked at Kieran, his face pale, his body not moving. The machines made their sounds a reminder of his weak state. She reached out her fingers touching his cheek.

"Good morning!" She said softly. "I'm still here. I'm not going anywhere."

She sat up stretching her body. She needed to eat, take a shower and to take care of herself. Her mother had been right, she couldn't pour from an empty cup. She had to be strong for Kieran, for Hope, for the baby growing inside her.

She kissed Kieran's forehead, her lips staying for a moment. "I'll be soon. I promise."

The cafeteria was full of people, the noise from the quiet of Kieran's room. Elysia sat at a table, a cup of tea in her hands, her mind elsewhere. She hadn't touched the food in front of her, her appetite was gone.

Elizabeth sat across from her, her voice kind as she says. "You need to eat, sweetheart. For the baby."

Elysia nodded, picking up a piece of toast. She took a bite forcing herself to chew and swallow. It tasted like cardboard. She knew she needed the food.

"I'm going to go to the trial." She said, her voice quiet but strong. "I can't let Kane win. I can't let him take everything from us."

Elizabeth looked worried. "Are you sure, sweetheart? You've been through a lot. Maybe you should take a break—"

"I can't." Elysia's voice was sharp, her eyes strong. "If I stop now, Kane wins. He hurt Kieran to get to me. He's not going to get awaywith it."

Elizabeth reached across the table, her hand covering her daughters. "I understand. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself. For the baby. For Hope. For Kieran."

Elysia nodded, her determination growing. "I promise."

She went back to Kieran's room after breakfast, her steps slow but steady. The morning sun was brighter now giving the room a feel. She sat in the chair beside him, her hand finding his.

"I'm back." She said, her voice quiet. "I had breakfast. I took a shower. I'm taking care of myself. Just like you'd want me to."

She paused, her thumb moving in circles on his skin. "I'm going to go to the trial tomorrow. I'm going to fight for Maya. I'm going to make sure Kane pays for what he's done."

She leaned forward, her voice lower. "And I need you to fight too. I need you to come back to me. I can't do this alone."

The day went by in moments and small things. Elysia read to Kieran from a book she had found in the hospital's library.

She told him about Hope, about her adventures, about how she had been asking questions about her papa. She told him about the baby, about the life growing inside her, about how much she wished he could feel the movement that was just starting.

"He's going to be a fighter!" She said, her hand on her stomach. "Just like his father."

She smiled, a moment of warmth. "Or maybe she's going to be a fighter. Like her mother. Either way they're going to be unstoppable."

Visiting hours cane and went. William arrived in the afternoon, his face showing worry. He sat with Elysia for a while, his presence a quiet comfort.

"How are you doing?" He asked, his voice gentle.

"I'm managing." She said, her voice tired. "I'm trying to stay strong. For him. For the baby. For Hope."

"You're doing more than managing!" William said, his voice firm. "You're doing everything you can. He's going to wake up. I know he is."

Elysia nodded, her eyes filled with tears. "I hope so. I really hope so."

Her parents came in the evening bringing Hope with them. The little girl ran to her mother, her voice of excitement.

"Mama! I drew a picture for Papa!"

Elysia smiled, taking the drawing from her daughter. It was a crayon drawing of their family, Mama, Papa, Hope, Sophie and a tiny figure that Elysia guessed was the baby.

"Papa is going to love this." Elysia said, her voice warm. "When he wakes up we're going to show it to him."

Hope nodded, her face serious. "Papa is going to wake up right Mama? He's going to come "

Elysia knelt down, pulling her daughter into a tight hug. "Yes, sweetheart. Papa is going to wake up. He's going to come. We're going to be a family again."

The night got darker and the hospital was quiet. Elysia sat by Kieran's bed, her hand in his, her eyes tired. She had been there for hours, her watch not broken.

She was just falling asleep when she felt it, a small squeeze of her fingers.

Her eyes opened quickly, her heart beating fast. She looked at Kieran's hand still holding hers. Had she made it up? Was it just hope?

"Kieran?" She whispered, her voice shaking. "Kieran, can you hear me?"

Another squeeze, small, not there but there. His fingers tightened around hers an answer to her call.

Tears fell down her cheeks, her voice breaking. "Kieran. Oh, God. Kieran, I'm here. I'm here."

She pressed the emergency call button, her hand shaking. The nurse came quickly, her face calm.

"His fingers moved." Elysia said, her voice full of urgency. "He squeezed my hand. Twice."

The nurse checked his vitals, his eyes, his reactions. Her face softened a small smile forming.

"It's a sign, Ms. Castello. A good sign. He's responding. He's fighting."

Elysia nodded, her tears flowing. "He's coming back. He's coming back to me."

The next hours were a mix of hope and fear. The doctors. Went, their voices low, their faces careful.

Kierans vitals were steady, his responses getting better. He was still in a coma. He was still trapped in the dark.

Elysia didn't leave. She stayed by his side, her hand in his, her voice a whisper of love and encouragement.

"You're fighting." She whispered softly. "I can feel it. You're coming back to me."

The sun rose again, the first light of day coming through the curtains. Elysia was tired, her body aching, her eyes full of tears. She also felt hope, a small fragile hope that would not go away.

She leaned forward, her lips touching Kieran's forehead. "I love you." She whispered. "And I'm going to be here every step of the way."

She sat back in her chair, her hand, around his. The machines made their sounds, a song of life and hope.

For the time since the accident she let herself believe that everything was going to be okay.