Chapter 248

Hannah

“Oh, how sweet…” “Look at how he’s holding her…” “They must really love each other…”

I woke with a start to the sound of hushed whispers and giggles above me. Blinking slowly, I became acutely aware of two nurses at the foot of the bed, their eyes wide and hands clasped as they looked down.

“Oh!” one gasped, taking a surprised step back as I woke. “We’re so sorry, we didn’t mean to disturb you.” They scurried from the room, and I watched them go with a furrowed brow. I realized then that I was still curled against Noah’s side, his arm protectively around me. My face instantly flushed as I understood why the nurses had been fawning. I quickly moved to return to my own bed.

But as I sat up, no matter how gently I tried, Noah stirred. His eyes fluttered open, focusing on me for a moment before drifting down to my chest. I followed his gaze and felt my cheeks heat up even more as I realized my hospital gown had fallen open, exposing my breasts.

“Oh,” I muttered, quickly pulling the gown closed, a nervous look on my face. Noah’s ears reddened, and he cleared his throat, looking away respectfully. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s fine,” I said, my face still burning. I stood and stretched, walking back to my hospital bed. Noah sat up, his neck cracking as he stretched.

“How did you sleep?” he asked. His sheepish expression—likely because he didn’t remember pulling me into bed—was evident.

Not wanting to embarrass him further, I said, “I slept fine. Sorry I fell asleep with you. I think I nodded off while we were watching TV.”

Noah simply nodded, rubbing his eyes.

Then, a thought struck me. I’d figured he was asleep when I confessed to being pregnant last night, but I couldn’t help but worry.

“Noah, what’s the last thing you remember from last night?” I asked, abruptly turning to him.

He furrowed his brow, thinking deeply. “Uh… I think we were watching some terrible show on TV, and I must have dozed off. Why?”

A sigh of relief escaped my lips. Telling him about the pregnancy last night had been a snap decision in the wake of everything, but now, with the sun up and a good night’s sleep, I was glad he hadn’t heard it.

Perhaps I would tell him soon, but not now. “No reason,” I said quickly. “Just curious.” Noah looked skeptical but didn’t push it.

An awkward silence fell, broken only by a nurse entering with our discharge papers.

A few hours later, we were released from the hospital. Walking out into the bright sunlight, I squinted, feeling oddly vulnerable in the clothes Viona had brought—a simple t-shirt and jeans that felt too tight after the loose hospital gown.

Noah’s phone rang as we reached his car. He answered, his face growing serious as he listened.

“That was the police,” he said after hanging up. “They want us to go down to the station and give our statements about what happened yesterday.”

My stomach dropped. The thought of reliving yesterday made me feel sick. “Do we have to?” I asked, hating how small my voice sounded.

To my surprise, Noah’s expression softened slightly. “I know it’s hard, but it’s important to ensure that all of Jake’s accomplices face justice. And I’ll be right there with you, okay?”