Three days later, Emily woke in her hospital room, weak but alive. Sarah was at her bedside, smiling gently. “Your son’s doing better,” she said. “He’s a fighter, like his mom.” Emily’s eyes filled with tears. “Sarah… you knew me as Emily, but my name’s Lauren. How did you…?” Sarah squeezed her hand. “Mike told me enough. Don’t worry, you’re safe now.”
What Emily didn’t know was that Donovan had pulled strings. Harper’s son was arrested on unrelated charges, his father’s influence neutralized by a federal investigation. The guards were replaced, and Emily’s case was under review, with evidence of her abuse coming to light. Michael had done the impossible.
A week later, Michael wheeled their son, named Ethan, into Emily’s room. He held a small velvet box. “Lauren, marry me. For real this time. No more running.” Her eyes shone as she nodded, throwing her arms around him. “I’ve always wanted this,” she whispered. Ethan stirred in his crib, and Michael laughed. “Looks like Ethan’s hungry. Restaurant’s gonna have to wait.”
As they left the hospital, Emily leaning on Michael’s arm, she felt something she hadn’t in years: hope. The nightmare was over, and for the first time, she believed in a future—a family, a home, a life with the man she loved.