Chapter 341
The esa pulled through the gates of Emerald Garden, darkness wraping around the epire living just next done. Adams fat insisted trens stay with him tonight. His eyes hadn’t left way since the retrie
The tide must be freaking out. Trene esid, exhaustion in her voice et hody arhod everywhere, but her mind wouldn’t shut up. ́t
need to check on them.”
Adam equereed her hand. Thomas cffled–they’re all knocked out. deep toes, security’s all over the place.”
The car stopped in front of Adam’s house. Irene hesitated, torn fasten passing our and mom–mode.
“They’re fine,” Adam said gently. “James has got eyes on them. Let them sleep we’ll see them in the morning.
Irene finally gave in, the adrenaline crash hitting her hard, ‘Yeah, okay. 1 probably look like I got hit by a bus anyway.”
Adam rubbed her palm with his thumb. “Let’s keep this between us for now. Just the kids, Joseph, your brothers.
“God, es. Relief flooded through her. “Last thing I need is the whole city in my business right now.
Thomas opened the car door. “Everything’s ready inside.*
Irene leaned on Adam’s wheelchair as they headed in, her legs feeling like jelly. Though she’d been to his place for countless treatment sessions, she’d never really noticed how the warm lighting softened everything, how comfortable it felt. Tonight, it felt
like exactly where she needed to be.
In the guest bathroom, Irene finally got a good look at herself. Her lab coat hung in shreds, dirt smudged her face, and bruises dotted her arms. As hot water filled the room with steam, she peeled off her ruined clothes, wincing at the rope marks on her
wrists.
The shower stung, but it felt good–washing away the factory grime, the kidnappers‘ touches. As she scrubbed, their words kept playing on repeat: “We’re gonna mess up your hands.” Tears mixed with water. Her hands were everything–her way to save lives, to help Adam walk again. To nearly lose that…
A knock pulled her back. “Doc’s here,” Adam called.
A little while later, a woman with kind eyes wrapped Irene’s cut–up feet. She worked quickly, checking for head injuries, putting something soothing on the rope burns.
“You got lucky,” she said, packing up. “Nothing serious. Your feet will be sore for a bit, but everything should heal up fine.”
After she left, Adam rolled in with some food–sandwiches and tea. He set it down, just watching her.
“Thomas texted,” he finally said. “The kids know you’re okay. They tried to wait up, but Joseph talked them into bed.”
Irene nodded. “He always knows the right thing to say.” She took a sip of tea, feeling it warm her from inside. “Maybe I should call
“Tomorrow,” Adam said, cutting her off gently. “Right now, you need to crash.”
She barely registered the guest room before exhaustion took over.
Hands tied down. Men laughing. A hammer hovering over her fingers. “Let’s see you fix Haven after this, doc.
Irene shot up with a choked cry, heart racing. The clock showed 2:17 AM.
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Chapter 341
Before she could even think straight, she heard the soft whir of wheelchair motors, Adam appeared in the doorway, hallway light
behind him.
“You okay?” His voice was rough with worry.
Just a nightmare.” She pushed sweaty hair back. “Sorry I woke you.
Instead of leaving, Adam came closer, stopping by the bed. In the dim light, his face looked softer than she’d ever seen it.
“Wanna talk about it?”
The nightmare flashed again. Irene shivered. “They were going to break my hands.” Her voice cracked. “My hands are all I’ve got, Adam. If I can’t operate, can’t help people…”
“I know.” He took her hands in his. “When Victor sent that picture of you all tied up… I’ve never been that scared before.” The words seemed hard for him to say. “Not after my accident, not during any company crisis–never.”
She looked at their hands together. “I kept thinking about the kids. About you. I couldn’t stand the thought of never seeing any of you again.”
Adam’s thumb brushed over her wrist. “As long as I’m breathing, nothing like this will ever happen to you or the kids again. That’s a promise,
The certainty in his voice felt like a shield. They sat quietly together, the darkness making it easier to be real with each other.
“I got something for you,” Adam said suddenly. “Was gonna give it to you this weekend, but…”
He pulled a small box from his pocket. Irene’s breath caught.
“I noticed you never take off that necklace Ethan gave you,” he said. “How you touch it when you’re stressed or thinking hard.”
She automatically reached for the simple chain Ethan had saved his allowance to buy, tucked under her borrowed shirt.
Adam opened the box. Inside was a silver chain with a pendant–a tiny, perfect neuron with all its branching details.
“It’s gorgeous,” she whispered, picking it up.
“Flip it over.”
On the back were two small letters: H&S. Haven and Sterling. Her throat got tight.
“You’ve been paying attention all this time,” she said, fighting tears.
Adam took the necklace and motioned for her to turn. His fingers against her neck sent shivers down her back. The pendant settled perfectly next to Ethan’s–one from her past, one for her future.
She turned back to him, unable to find words. Instead, she leaned in and kissed him softly. His hand came up to her face, so gentle it made her heart ache.
“Try to sleep,” he murmured. “I’m just down the hall if you need anything.”
Morning light streamed through the curtains when Irene opened her eyes again. For a second, she felt lost–then everything rushed back. The kidnapping. The escape. Adam saying he loved her.
Adam loves me. And I told him I love him too.
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Chapter 341
She found him in the kitchen, already dressed, moving around in his wheelchair like he’d been making coffee one handed for years. It struck her how normal it fe–like they’d done this a hundred mornings before.
“Hey,” he said, holding out a steaming mug. “Sleep okay?”
Much better.” She took the coffee gratefully. “Any news?”
“Everyone’s still out cold next door.” He nodded to some pastries on plate. “Thomas grabbed these from that place you’re always talking about.”
They ate quietly, sneaking glances at each other. It felt strange but right–sitting in Adam’s kitchen after everything that happened, about to face the day together.
As they got ready to leave, Irene suddenly remembered. “Wait–what about that contract you signed for Victor? Are you in trouble?”
Adam’s face changed, showing a flash of the shark in a suit that ran Haven Enterprise. “Don’t sweat it. Tomorrow’s board meeting will take care of everything.”
“But-
He shook his head, that confident half–smile appearing. “Trust me on this one.”
At the door, Adam caught her hand, pulling her down for one last quiet moment. The kiss felt like a promise.
“Ready to deal with the kids?” he asked.
Irene nodded, suddenly excited rather than nervous. The kids would be over the moon–especially Lucas, who’d been dropping not- so–subtle hints forever. And Joseph? That old fox probably knew before they did.
As they headed out the door, Irene couldn’t help smiling. After everything she’d been through, this felt right. Simple. Like finding the missing piece that made everything else make sense.
