<b>13:31 </b>
<b>Chapter </b><b>222 </b>
<b>Cole </b><b>had </b>to take this step. As for her, all she needed to <b>do </b>was stay <b>by </b>his side, in his darkest moments, whenever he turned around, she would <b>be </b>there <b>just </b>as she had promised.
“Father, please. I’m begging you.”
Cole’s jaw was clenched tight, his voice trembling. He squeezed Alessia’s hand<b>, </b>gripping so hard it hurt, but Alessia didn’tin or even try to pull away.
Xander paused in the middle of threading the needle, and if you looked closely, <b>you </b>could see his hands shaking just a little.
He nced at the butler, who immediately understood. The butler stepped forward<b>, </b>closing the door to shield Cole and Alessia from what was happening inside.
With that, Xander shut his eyes. When he opened them again, they were filled with grim determination.
Swift, precise, and merciless. Each time Xander plunged the needle in, Jade responded in some small way.
First, her fingers twitched. Then, she suddenly lifted her hand and let it fall again. After that, her eyelids fluttered,
And finally, with thest needle, her eyes opened.
Her gaze was empty and unfocused, but Xander wasn’t rattled. He gently eased the needle out, bit by bit.
“Jade, can you hear me?” Xander called to her softly, again and again.
Maybe it was his voice <b>that </b>brought her back. Slowly, Jade’s eyes began to focus. Her lips moved, as if she was trying to say something.
Xander couldn’t catch it. He bent down, bringing his ear close to her mouth.
“Xander…” The word was faint as a whisper, but it made Xander’s tears fall instantly. “There you are, sweetheart.” Xander smiled, even as tears streamed down his face.
“You’ve been through so much, our Jade. You held on for two whole years. You’ve done so well,” His weary eyes brimmed with sorrow and pride.
“The kids… please take care of them for me.”
13:31
“<b>It’s </b><b>no </b><b>trouble </b>at <b>all</b><b>, </b>not even a little. They’re <b>wonderful</b><b>–</b>smart <b>and </b>kind <b>told</b>, I’m the old man who’s been more of <b>a </b>burden <b>to </b>them: Xander wiped his tears, unable to say anything more.
“They’re both waiting outside. I’ll let them in.”
The moment Jade opened her eyes, it was like <b>a </b>clock started counting <b>down</b>.
“Lessie…e in.” Jade’s words were slow and almost inaudible, so quiet <b>that </b>Xander had to lean in to catch them.
Still, he understood her instantly.
“All right, I’ll bring her right in.” Without hesitation, he looked at the butler, and together they left the room.
“Father, how is she?” Both Cole and Alessia stared at him, eyes wide with anxiety.
“Lessie, go ahead.” Xander gave Alessia’s shoulder a reassuring pat.
Alessia swallowed hard, knowing there was no time to waste. She didn’t ask any questions, just walked straight into the room.
Cole was so wracked with nerves that he forgot to let go of Alessia’s hand<b>. </b>It wasn’t until Alessia gently patted the back of his hand that he snapped out of his daze and quickly released her.
The door closed again. Cole stood outside, rigid and lost, like a child who’d just been scolded, or a puppy left out in the rain.
Xander turned his back on Cole, pacing restlessly to distract himself, fighting not to fall apart.
Inside, Alessia’s steps were stiff and uncertain. She walked to Jade’s bedside, her eyes swirling with too many emotions to name.
“Lessie..” Jade’s voice was barely a whisper, so different from the lively woman she’d always been.
“I’m here, Aunt Jade.” Alessia took a deep breath, forcing her tears back.
She took Jade’s hand in hers–so cold, so lifeless, not at all like a living person’s. Alessia cupped Jade’s hand in both of hers, trying to warm it with her own.
Jade managed a small smile, her expression soft and gentle.
“I’m so d, Lessie… you have a family who loves you.”