novelxo Chapter Billionaire My Husband 354
NEW BEGINNING
JOSH
PRESENT DAY
The hospital halls were too bright. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as I carried Asha in her car seat, her little rainbow blanket draped over her. She babbled softly, clutching her stuffed elephant, blissfully unaware of the heaviness weighing
on me.
I nodded to the nurses at the palliative long-term care wing as I entered. They gave me small, sympathetic smiles-the kind that cut deeper because they reminded me that this was my reality. This was Laura's reality. Room 308. Laura's room.
I hesitated at the door, glancing down at Asha. "Okay, baby girl," 1 whispered, more to myself than to her. "Let's go see Mommy."
I pushed the door open and stepped into the room. It didn't look like a hospital room anymore, not really. Jess, Luke, and I had spent hours transforming it into something that felt more like home.
Laura's favorite colors-soft greens and blues-adorned the walls in subtle touches, from the curtains to the throw pillows on the small couch in the corner. Her easel stood by the window, angled just so to catch the natural light. The painting she'd been working on before the accident sat there, unfinished but beautiful-a hazy sunset over a calm ocean. 0.00%
1
111
14:33
NEW BEGINNING
The speakers In the corner softly played the playlist Laura used to paint to-instrumentals, mellow beats, and the occasional old-school love song. Photos of Asha lined the walls.
I swallowed hard as I walked over to Laura's bed. She looked so peaceful, almost like she was just asleep. Her dark hair was brushed and braided, and her face still had that same quiet beauty that had always taken my breath away. But the stillness of her body-the absence of her vibrant energy-was a constant reminder of everything I'd lost.
I placed Asha's car seat on the floor and gently lifted her out. She squirmed in my arms, her tiny fingers reaching for me. "Hold on, princess," I murmured, settling her beside Laura on the bed.
Asha cooed, her little hands patting at Laura's arm. My chest ached as I watched them together-my daughter, full of life, and Laura, frozen in this unending silence.
I sat down in the chair next to the bed, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. The words I'd been rehearsing in my head felt heavy, like they were stuck in my throat.
"Hey, babe," I started, my voice rough. I reached out, taking her hand in mine. It was warm but unresponsive. "I... I don't even know where to start. I just... I'm sorry. For everything. For not being enough to keep you safe. For not knowing how to handle this." I glanced at Asha, who had started to settle, her head resting against Laura's side. My heart twisted.
"I love you," I continued, my voice breaking. "More than you'll ever know. But I... I need time. I need time to pull myself
25.05%
1
14:33
NEW HER
together, and right now, I'm not doing a very good job at it."
I squeezed her hand, trying to steady myself. "I promise I'll be back for you. I swear, Laura. I just... I need to find a way out of this loop before I can't see the light anymore."
Tears blurred my vision as I leaned forward, resting my forehead against her hand. "I promise to be the best father I can for Asha. I'll do everything I can to make sure she knows how amazing you are. I'll tell her about how you used to dance in the kitchen, how you could make a masterpiece out of nothing. How you were the best thing that ever happened to me."
My voice cracked, and I took a deep, shaky breath. "I'll pull myself together, Laura. For you. For Asha. And when I do, I'll come back."
I leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering there as if I could somehow transfer all my love and regret through that one moment of contact.
Asha had fallen asleep beside her mother, her tiny hand clutching Laura's shirt. I gently picked her up, cradling her against my chest. She stirred slightly but settled quickly, her head nestling into my shoulder.
I stood there for a moment, looking down at Laura, trying to memorize every detail of her face, the way the light played across her features.
"I love you," I whispered one last time, my voice barely audible.
I turned and walked out of the room, Asha heavy in my arms. I
didn't dare look back.
56.91%
III
14:33
NEW BEGINNING
As I walked down the hall, the weight of my decision pressed down on me, but I knew it was the right one. I'd already sent Dr. Harrington a response, Instructing him to keep me updated monthly on Laura's condition and to ensure she received the best care possible in my absence
The nurses at the desk gave me another sympathetic smile as I passed, but I didn't stop. I couldn't stop.
By the time I reached the car, Asha was still asleep. I placed her in her car seat and kissed her forehead gently.
Sliding into the driver's seat, I rested my hands on the wheel and stared out at the horizon. I had a few more things to wrap up before we left.
But this was it. A new beginning
86.01%
III
14:33
DENIAL