Chapter 262

Annie's POV

The ambulance sirens finally ceased, though the harsh red and blue lights continued to dance across the hospital's glass doors. I clutched Howard's suit jacket tightly around my body, trying to cover the marks I wished I could forget. From that abandoned factory in Brooklyn to here. Howard's hand had remained firmly clasped around mine, as if afraid I might disappear if he let go. His protective warmth reassured me, yet I still struggled to believe we were truly safe.

The hospital's antiseptic smell hit me as we entered-that sharp, clean scent suddenly seemed beautiful and comforting. Perhaps the nightmare I'd just endured made even this sterile odor feel like a welcome relief.

"Are you sure you don't need to be examined first?" Howard asked softly,his gray eyes filled with emotions I couldn't fully decipher-concern,guilt,anger,and something deeper.

I shook my head. Despite the pain throughout my body, despite the rope burns that still throbbed around my wrists and ankles, my heart had only one priority: "I'm fine. I just need to see Lucy."

Philip's face flashed through my mind-once familiar features that now terrified me like a stranger's. I forced myself not to think about his naked body and those malevolent eyes. Now wasn't the time to fall apart. Lucy needed me. Brian needed me too, even if he didn't realize it yet.

Pushing through the emergency room's double doors, my eyes immediately scanned the entire space. In the corner, Robert sat on a plastic chair with Max asleep on his lap. Brian sat nearby, head down, his golden hair making him look so vulnerable. And then I saw her-my Lucy,my little

angel with golden hair and blue eyes, sitting in a chair with her small hands cloiching her dress as if ready to flee at any moment.

"Lacy!" My voice trembled with emotion, almost unrecognizable to my own ears.

When she looked up at me, time seemed to stop. The fear in those blue eyes instantly transformed into pure joy, an emotion so genuine it nearly stopped my heart. She leapt from her chair and rushed across the waiting area.practically flying into my arms.

"Mommy!"

That single word shattered all my defenses. Tears flowed uncontrollably as I knelt down and held her tightly against my chest, feeling her tiny heartbeat synchronize with mine.

"My baby, you're safe now. Everything will be alright," I promised softly,kissing her golden hair. In that moment, it felt like the world contained only us-Philip's threats, the factory's terror, the pain of the ropes-all became distant and blurred.

I sensed Howard standing nearby,giving us space while providing an invisible shield of protection. I heard him asking Robert about Sarah's condition. Though I barely cared about the woman who had nearly destroyed my life, I knew the innocent life she carried and tonight's events were heartbreaking on every level.

Two police officers entered the waiting area, requesting statements from the adults. A series of incidents needed explanation-the abandoned factory in Brooklyn, the pier on Long Island, Sarah's gunshot wound,the children's kidnapping. The law would assign blame,but the scars would take time to heal.

"T'll give my statement. You stay here with the children," Howard told me,his warm hand gently caressing my cheek, a touch I wanted to lean into forever.

"What about Philip?" I asked, not because I cared about his condition, but because I needed to know if he still posed a threat.

"I've arranged security to monitor him. He should be in another ward receiving treatment," Howard replied, his voice carrying a coldness I'd never heard before. "Don't worry, he can't hurt you anymore."

I squeezed his hand gently before letting go. "Okay." That simple syllable contained all my trust and dependence. This once cold and powerful CEO had become my safe harbor, the pillar of our family.

Hospital staff arranged a more comfortable pediatric waiting area for the children,with colorful low tables and toys. Max had awakened and sat in the corner playing with blocks, occasionally glancing confusedly toward the hallway. probably looking for Sarah. The child's innocence contrasted sharply with Sarah's crimes, and I couldn't blame a child for any of this.

Lucy refused to leave my embrace, her small hands clutching my clothes as if afraid I might vanish. I understood her fear-tonight had been an unimaginable nightmare for a five-year-old.

"Lucy, darling, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere," I promised softly,burying my nose in her soft golden hair, inhaling the familiar scent of her shampoo. Somehow, that fragrance made everything feel real-we truly were safe; this wasn't some hallucination or dream in that factory.

I noticed Brian sitting several steps away, stealing glances at Lucy and me.He had once been my son, the infant who slept on my chest, the little boy whose first word was "Mama." He had betrayed me when I was most

vulnerable, but after everything that happened tonight, perhaps we could find a path to reconciliation within our shared trauma.

I tried to smile at him. "Would you like to come sit with us,Brian?"

He bit his lip, the hesitation in his eyes reminding me of when he was learning to walk-wanting to try but afraid to fail. "I'm sorry," he whispered, those two words carrying too many emotions for me to fully comprehend.

Fighting back fresh tears, I maintained a calm expression. "It's okay, Brian.”

I carefully extended one hand, avoiding any sudden movements that might frighten him. "Would you like to come over? There's space right next to Lucy."

Time stretched endlessly during his hesitation. My heart pounded so violently it felt like it might break free from my chest. Finally, he slowly,tentatively approached and sat beside me. When my arm gently encircled his shoulders, he didn't pull away-this small acceptance nearly made me cry again.

In this moment, despite sitting in a hospital waiting room, despite all the terrible events of the night, I felt hope blossoming in my heart. Lucy on my right. Brian on my left-I finally had both children, my children. The world outside might still be dangerous, and more challenges might lie ahead,but right now, we had taken our first step as a family.

I looked toward the doorway, somehow sensing Howard's imminent return.Whatever awaited us, we would face it together. This was an ending, but also a beginning-a new beginning.