Chapter 353 I'm Here
Adeline woke up to the soft morning light coming through the hospital window. Linda, looking exhausted with red eyes, was being led out by a stern David. Violet took her place by the bed, looking both relieved and frustrated.
"Finally awake, huh?" Violet sighed, settling into the chair Linda had just left. She gently adjusted Adeline's blankets. "What are they thinking?"
She shook her head, clearly disapproving. "A month in a coma, and as soon as you wake up, they hit you with heartbreaking news and drag you to a cemetery in the rain. Seriously, what were they thinking?"
Violet's tone softened. "How are you feeling, Adeline? Really?"
She handed Adeline a glass of water with a comforting smile. "I know it's hard to bounce back from losing a child. It's unimaginable."
Adeline took the water, her hands shaking a bit, tears filling her eyes.
"But," Violet continued, her voice firm but kind, "as much as you're hurting, you have two other kids who need you now more than ever."
"You have to find the strength to go on, for Blake and Lauren. If you don't, how will they cope?"
Adeline closed her eyes, feeling the weight of Violet's words. She knew Violet was right. The triplets were connected deeply. Blake, fighting his illness. Lauren, so fragile. And Bennett, who had sacrificed himself for his sister.
If she couldn't manage her own grief, how could she help her other kids with theirs?
Bennett's loving and concerned voice echoed in her memory. He had asked her to fight for Blake and care for Lauren. It was his dying wish. She couldn't let him down.
Taking a deep breath, Adeline swallowed the lump in her throat. She finished the glass of water, a small act of defiance against her despair.
"You're right," she said, her voice hoarse but determined. "I need to be strong. For them."
She handed the empty glass back to Violet, a new determination in her eyes. "Take me to Lauren," she said, her voice stronger. "I need to see my daughter."
Violet nodded, a hint of approval in her eyes. "Of course," she said. "And… you could also see Blake."
Adeline looked confused. "What do you mean?"
Violet sighed, her expression turning serious. "After you went into the coma, Jasper found out the truth about Blake."
"He went to Brandon himself, even offered him a ten percent stake in the Foster Group just to meet Blake."
Adeline's breath caught. "And?"
"Brandon refused," Violet said, her voice mixed with anger and pity. "Jasper waited outside the Torres estate for a week, relentless. Finally, they let him see Blake."
"Blake is back in Radiance Springs, Adeline. Jasper brought him back. He's here, in this hospital, in the special care unit," Violet said, meeting Adeline's eyes.
Adeline closed her eyes, feeling a wave of exhaustion. The truth she had tried to hide was out.
"He knows," she whispered, resigned.
Violet squeezed her hand. "Maybe it's for the best. The plan to have another child to save Blake isn't an option anymore."
"But now that Jasper knows," she continued, hopeful, "he'll do everything to find a match for Blake. He has resources and connections that Brandon never had."
"Don't lose hope, Adeline. It's a long shot, but it's still a shot. Maybe Jasper is the miracle we've been waiting for."
Adeline considered Violet's words, feeling a sliver of hope. It was a desperate hope, but it was still hope. And right now, hope was all she had.
"Alright," she said, her voice stronger. "Take me to Blake first."
She needed to see her son, to draw strength from his resilience. He needed her now more than ever.
As Violet helped her out of bed, a commotion erupted outside. A woman's shrill voice cut through the quiet hallway.
"She's awake, isn't she? I heard she went to see her precious son yesterday. What about mine? Did she even think of my Sebastian?"
"We're old… we only had one son! A genius! He could have moved mountains with his art… and he's gone because of her!"
Adeline stiffened, recognizing the voice. It was a painful reminder of that horrific night.
"Not her again," Violet muttered, tightening her grip on Adeline's arm.
She moved to close the door, trying to shield Adeline from the drama outside. "Just ignore her. She'll tire herself out."
But Adeline had already recognized the voice. Aurora. Sebastian's mother.
"Who is it?" she asked, barely a whisper.
"Sebastian's parents," Violet sighed. "They blame you, Adeline. They blame you for his death."
She recounted how Sebastian had stayed with Bennett to protect Lauren and had perished in the fire, his body never recovered.
Adeline closed her eyes, feeling the weight of their grief. She had been so consumed by her own loss, she had forgotten about Sebastian and the other family torn apart by that night.
Aurora's voice, raw with pain and anger, drifted into the room. "He died for her son! And she hasn't even shed a tear, hasn't even apologized! I won't stand for it! Let me see her!"
Adeline straightened, determined. "I need to see her, Violet."
"Adeline, don't be ridiculous!" Violet protested, gripping her arm tighter. "She's out of control! Last time, she nearly clawed Ethan's eyes out for trying to stop her!"
But Adeline was resolute. "She's grieving, Violet. Just like me. I need to face her."
She gently pried Violet's hand away and stepped into the hallway, meeting Aurora's gaze.
"I'm here," she said, her voice quiet but steady.
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