Chapter 187- The Reunion
Hardin’s POV
The world came into focus slowly, like a fog lifting after a long storm. My eyelids felt heavy, and the dull ache in my chest reminded me why I was here. The events of the past day hit me like a truck—Garry’s twisted smirk, the gunshot, Ariana’s desperate cries.
I blinked against the harsh hospital lights, my body still groggy and weak. As my vision cleared, I noticed two figures seated at the edge of my bed. My heart skipped a beat when I realized who they were.
The Richards. My parents.
For a moment, I thought I was hallucinating. The painkillers had to be messing with my mind. But the concerned, tear-filled eyes of the woman staring at me were too real to dismiss. She leaned forward, her trembling hands clasped tightly together. Beside her, the man—my father—watched me with a solemn expression, his jaw clenched as though holding back a flood of emotions.
I swallowed hard, my throat dry and scratchy. “You’re here,” I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper.
My mother’s face crumpled, tears spilling down her cheeks as she rose from her chair. “Hardin,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “You’re awake. Thank God.”
My chest tightened at the sound of her voice, filled with a warmth I had never known. Despite everything, I couldn’t meet her gaze for long. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts—anger at the years lost, sadness for what could’ve been, and relief that they were here.
My father stood as well, his movements slow and deliberate. “How are you feeling, son?” he asked, his deep voice steady but heavy with concern.
Son.
The word hit me harder than I expected. I had spent so many years believing I was alone, an orphan left behind by parents who didn’t want me. And now, here they were, looking at me with nothing but love and regret in their eyes.
“I… I’ve been better,” I admitted, trying to inject some levity into my tone. But the lump in my throat made it impossible.
My mother took another step closer, hesitating as though afraid I might push her away. “We’ve been praying for you,” she said softly. “When Ariana called and told us what happened, we… we couldn’t stay away. We had to see you.”
Ariana. Of course, she’d been the one to call them. She always knew what I needed, even when I couldn’t admit it myself.
I nodded slowly, forcing myself to meet their gazes. “I know why you’re here,” I said, my voice steadier now. “I know the truth.”
My mother’s tears fell faster, and she covered her mouth with her hand as a sob escaped. My father placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“We’re so sorry, Hardin,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “We had no idea. We thought you were gone. If we had known…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “We would’ve done anything to find you.”
“I know,” I said quietly. “Your sister told me everything. She thought her secret would die with me, but it didn’t. I know it wasn’t your fault.”
My mother stepped closer, her trembling hand reaching for mine. “We never stopped loving you,” she whispered. “Not for a second. Losing you… it broke us. And now, seeing you here, alive… I don’t even have the words.”
Her hand touched mine, and something inside me shifted. I had spent my life convincing myself I didn’t need anyone, that family only brought pain. But the warmth of her touch and the sincerity in her voice chipped away at the walls I had built.
“You don’t have to say anything,” I said, my voice hoarse. “I can see it in your eyes.”
My father stepped forward then, his presence as commanding as ever. “We’ll never lose you again, Hardin. I swear it. Whatever it takes, we’ll make up for the years we missed.”
I looked between them, the overwhelming emotions swirling in my chest making it hard to breathe. I wanted to be angry, to hold onto the bitterness I’d carried for so long. But how could I? They had been victims too, robbed of their child by someone they should’ve been able to trust.
“I don’t know how to do this,” I admitted, my voice cracking. “I’ve spent my whole life without parents. I don’t even know what it means to have a family.”
My mother’s tears fell harder as she knelt beside my bed, her hands gripping mine tightly. “We’ll figure it out together,” she said, her voice fierce despite the tremor in it. “You don’t have to do it alone anymore. You’re not alone, Hardin. Not anymore.”
Her words struck something deep within me, a wound I hadn’t even realized was there. Before I could stop myself, a single tear slipped down my cheek.
My father placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm but comforting. “We’re here now,” he said. “And we’re not going anywhere.”
For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to believe them. To hope that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as alone as I thought.
My mother leaned forward, wrapping her arms around me as gently as possible. Her embrace was warm, comforting, and utterly unfamiliar. But I didn’t pull away. Instead, I closed my eyes and let myself feel it.
My father joined us, his hand resting on my back as he whispered, “We’re so proud of you, Hardin. For everything you’ve done, for the man you’ve become.”
The weight of their words settled over me, heavy yet comforting. For so long, I had carried the burden of my past alone. But now, for the first time, I felt like I didn’t have to anymore.
I didn’t know what the future held, but as I sat there surrounded by the people who had brought me into this world, one thing was certain: I wasn’t alone. Not anymore.
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