Chapter 14 - A New Dawn|
The morning light broke softly through the large private window of the hospital’s luxury recovery suite.
The storm had passed completely, leaving behind a clean, bright sky washed in pale blue and gold.
Nelia opened her eyes slowly, blinking against the gentle sunlight.
The constant pain and terrifying noise of the night were gone, replaced by a deep, profound peace.
Beside the bed sat Diego.
The ruthless billionaire, the feared underworld king who had terrified the entire city, was cradling a tiny blue bundle in his large arms.
He had not slept in thirty-six hours.
Dark circles ringed his eyes, his designer clothes were wrinkled, but his face held a look of pure, reverent wonder.
He rocked the tiny infant with incredible gentleness, whispering soft Spanish lullabies into the baby’s downy dark hair.
Nelia’s heart swelled so painfully with love that she let out a soft, tearful gasp.
Diego immediately looked up at the sound, his face lighting up with boundless relief.
“Nelia,” he whispered, standing up carefully so as not to disturb the sleeping child.
He walked over to the bed and sat on the edge of the mattress, leaning down to press a soft kiss against her forehead.
“You’re awake, my brave girl.”
He gently lowered the swaddled baby into her waiting arms.
Nelia looked down at the tiny human resting against her chest.
He had a thick mop of dark hair, long eyelashes, and tiny, perfect hands that curled into tight fists.
He was the spitting image of his father.
“He has your chin,” Nelia whispered through hot, happy tears.
“And he has your pure, beautiful heart,” Diego replied, reaching out with one rough finger to stroke the baby’s soft cheek.
The baby stirred, letting out a tiny, contented sigh as he settled against his mother’s warmth.
Diego knelt beside the bed once again, burying his face against Nelia’s hand.
“I am so sorry, Nelia,” he wept openly, the tears soaking through the fabric of the hospital gown.
“For every lie I told to push you away.”
“For every lonely night you spent in that tiny apartment.”
“For every insult you endured while waiting tables to feed my son.”
“I will spend every breath in my body earning back your trust, even if it takes the rest of my life.”
Nelia looked down at the powerful man weeping at her bedside, stripped of all his armor, arrogance, and dark power.
She saw only the man who had thrown himself in front of a gunman’s barrel to save her life.
She gently tangled her fingers in his thick, dark hair, lifting his tear-stained face so he was looking into her eyes.
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“You don't need the rest of your life, Diego,” she murmured softly, leaning down to press her lips against his.
“You brought us home. That is all that matters.”
