Chapter 92

Ava’s POV

Thirty-three seconds.

I don’t know why I counted, but that’s how much time passed before her sharp gasp shattered the tense silence in the room. For a moment, no one moved. Not me, not the nurses—no one dared to breathe, as though the slightest sound might break whatever spell had taken hold. Then, slowly, Tessa’s wide, panicked eyes darted around the room, taking in her surroundings with frantic confusion.

I snapped out of my stunned state and immediately went to her. My steps were hurried, but I forced myself to remain calm, professional even, as I leaned over her bed.

“Tessa?” I said gently, my voice steady despite the chaos of emotions raging inside me. “How do you feel?”

She didn’t answer right away. Her trembling hands moved, brushing over her chest and arms as if confirming her own existence. Her eyes locked onto mine, a flicker of recognition and confusion swirling within them.

“I… I don’t understand,” she whispered, her voice raspy. “I was… I…”

Before she could finish, one of the nurses broke the silence, her voice trembling with awe. “It’s a miracle,” she murmured, her gaze shifting from Tessa to me, then to the machines that moments ago had signaled the end of a life.

The door swung open suddenly, and I turned just in time to see Mikayla standing in the doorway. Tears streamed down her face, and before anyone could stop her, she bolted into the room, throwing herself into her mother’s arms.

“You’re okay!” Mikayla sobbed, clutching Tessa as though she might disappear again at any moment. “You’re alive!” Tessa froze for a moment, her arms stiff at her sides, and then, as though understanding finally dawned, she wrapped her daughter in a tight embrace. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks as she murmured, “I’m here, baby. I’m here.”

I watched the scene unfold, my chest tightening with a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite name. Finally, I turned to the nurses, who were still standing there, frozen in shock. I nodded to them, my voice calm but firm. “I can take it from here.”

They hesitated, exchanging bewildered glances before nodding and silently leaving the room. Their steps were hesitant, their gazes darting back to Tessa as though expecting her to vanish into thin air.

Once the door clicked shut behind them, Tessa’s confused voice broke through the lingering silence. “Dr. Pierce… how?”

I managed a small, reassuring smile. “Prayers must have been answered,” I said, keeping my tone light. It wasn’t entirely a lie, but the truth—Grayson’s ring and what it meant—was something she didn’t need to know. Not now. Not ever.

I turned to Mikayla, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Sweetheart, I need to check on your mom’s vitals, okay?”

Mikayla hesitated, clearly reluctant to let go, but she nodded, stepping back just enough for me to move in closer. I grabbed the stethoscope from my pocket, slipping it around my neck as I began my examination.

“Tessa,” I said, my tone gentle yet professional, “I need you to tell me how you’re feeling. Any pain? Dizziness? Trouble breathing?”

She shook her head slowly, her brow furrowed. “No… I feel fine. Better than I’ve felt in a long time, actually.” Her voice wavered, as though she didn’t entirely trust her own words. “But I don’t understand. I… I died.”

Her words sent a chill down my spine, but I kept my expression neutral. “You were in critical condition,” I said, my hands steady as I checked her pulse, which was surprisingly strong. “But your body seems to have recovered remarkably well. Sometimes, the human body can surprise us.”

Tessa’s hand reached out, grabbing mine. Her grip was firm, desperate. “No, Ava. I died. I remember… everything going dark. I was… gone. How am I here?”

I hesitated, searching for the right words. “What matters is that you’re here now,” I said softly, meeting her gaze. “And that you’re okay. Let’s focus on that for now.”

Mikayla, still clutching her mother’s hand, looked up at me with wide, tear-filled eyes. “Is my mom really okay, Dr. Pierce?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, offering her a reassuring smile. “She’s doing very well,” I said, my tone firm. “Her vitals are stable, and she’s responding perfectly. But we’ll keep a close eye on her, just to be sure.”

Tessa’s gaze flickered between Mikayla and me, her confusion gradually giving way to a cautious relief. “I don’t know how to thank you,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I thought I’d never see her again. My baby…”

Her voice broke, and Mikayla leaned into her, wrapping her arms around her mother once more. I busied myself with adjusting the machines, giving them a moment of privacy. But my mind raced, replaying the events of the past hour, the gasp, the miracle that had unfolded before my eyes. The ring.

As I finished my checks, I placed a comforting hand on Tessa’s shoulder. “You’re going to be okay,” I said softly. “Get some rest. You’ll need it.”

Tessa looked up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude and lingering confusion. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For everything.”

I gave her a small nod, stepping back to give them space. As I turned to leave the room, Mikayla’s quiet sobs and Tessa’s whispered reassurances followed me. I closed the door gently behind me, leaning against it for a moment as the weight of what had just happened finally hit me.

Miracles didn’t happen every day. But today, against all odds, one had.

Thanks to him.

My eyes found him the moment I stepped outside. Grayson was standing near the edge of the wall, his hands buried in his pockets, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Something about his posture—his quiet stillness—tugged at my chest.

I made my way toward him, my heart pounding with the weight of everything that had just happened. The fact that Tessa had actually come back to life—and from what I could tell, might even be healed—was almost too much to comprehend. It made what he’d done, the sacrifice he’d made, feel so much more real. More tangible.

He had given up his chance at life to save a woman he didn’t even know.

“She’s alive,” I whispered when I reached him.

Grayson turned to me, his expression unreadable, and nodded once.

“You gave her another chance,” I said, my voice trembling. “You…”

“Ava,” he interrupted, sighing softly. “Don’t make it more than it needs to be.”

But it was more, and I wanted to tell him that. Before I could, he spoke again.

“Be sure of this,” he said, his voice low but steady. “I didn’t think it was fair that I got an extra chance and you didn’t. I wouldn’t want to exist in a world where you don’t, so… it seemed like a fair trade.”

My breath caught. His words hit me with the force of a tidal wave, and for a moment, all I could do was stare at him. Grayson Blackwood, the man who had fought so hard to keep his walls up, had just torn them down in front of me.

And in that moment, I knew.

08:53 Tue, Dec 1,

Chapter 92

I think my heart fell for him.

I smiled softly, trying to steady the emotions swirling inside me. “If I had known you could be this sweet,” I said lightly, “I would have gone to find you a long time ago.”

“I’m not sweet,” he said quickly, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t ever use that word to describe me again.”

I laughed, rolling my eyes. “Whatever you say. But seriously… thank you. This chapter could have ended with a very heartbroken teenager, but you changed that. And from the looks of it, I think she’s not just alive—she’s no longer sick. That’s going to take a lot of explaining, but I’ll figure it out. You saved her life today, Grayson. Thank you for that. And for waiting.”

He shrugged, as if brushing off my gratitude, but I didn’t miss the flicker of emotion in his eyes.

“So,” he said after a moment, “can we leave now? I hate hospitals.”

“I figured as much,” I said with a smile. “Let me check on Tessa one last time, and then we can go.”

Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed him.

It was instinctual, like my body knew what it needed before my mind could catch up. His lips were warm, soft, and for a moment, the world around us melted away.

When I pulled back, Grayson’s eyes locked onto mine, a mixture of surprise and something deeper flickering within them.

“I… I don’t know why I did that,” I admitted softly, my cheeks flushing.

His lips curved into the faintest smile. “I think you do.”

And he was right. I did.

Because I liked kissing Grayson Blackwood. A whole lot.

I cleared my throat, stepping back slightly to regain my composure. “I’ll be quick,” I said, turning toward the hospital doors.

“I’ll be here,” he replied, his voice lighter now, almost teasing.

I had barely taken a few steps away when I heard my name being called. Turning, I saw Dr. Griffin, my superior, walking toward me with a brisk stride.

“Dr. Griffin,” I greeted him, offering a professional nod.

His gaze flicked to Grayson, and I saw recognition spark in his eyes.

“This is my husband, Grayson Blackwood,” I said quickly, the words rolling off my tongue with surprising ease.

Dr. Griffin’s expression shifted slightly, a flicker of unease flashing across his features before he nodded politely at Grayson. “Pleasure to meet you.”

Grayson gave a small nod in return but didn’t say anything, his demeanor calm and unreadable.

“I was actually just about to send for you,” Dr. Griffin said, turning back to me.

My stomach tightened. I assumed it was something to do with Tessa—perhaps more complications or questions—but his next words caught me completely off guard.

“Ty assigned you a new patient,” he said, his tone even. “She specifically requested you.”

That piqued my curiosity. “Requested me?”

Dr. Griffin nodded. “She said she came to this hospital for you. Doesn’t want anyone else but Dr. Ava Pierce.”

I felt a faint smile tug at the corner of my lips. It wasn’t uncommon for patients to prefer certain doctors, but there was something flattering about it nonetheless.

“And who is she?” I asked, already mentally preparing for the case.

Dr. Griffin hesitated for a fraction of a second, his gaze steady on mine. Then he said, “Her name is Crystal Myers, and you’ll be overseeing her antenatal care starting tomorrow.”

END GIFT