Semua Bab Be Mine Again, Dear Wife: Bab 81 - Bab 85

Harper sat beside Malakai in the sterile, fluorescent-lit corridor just outside the operating theatre. The chairs were hard plastic, the kind that made your back ache after ten minutes, but neither of them moved. The air smelled of disinfectant and old coffee. Somewhere down the corridor, a monitor beeped steadily.Malakai was rigid. His spine was straight, his hands were clasped between his knees, and his eyes were fixed on a single scuff mark on the floor. He hadn't blinked in so long, Harper wasn't sure he remembered how.She reached over and slipped her hand into his. His fingers were ice-cold. He didn't pull away, but he didn't squeeze back either. She squeezed gently."He's going to be fine," she said softly. "Aiden's strong. He's just as stubborn as you are, remember? He'll fight through this."Malakai didn't respond at first. Then, slowly, he lifted his head. His eyes met hers. They were bloodshot, hollow, and terrified in a way that made her chest tighten."What if

Flabbergasted didn't begin to cover it. Harper still couldn't get used to Malakai being so expressive. Parents turned. A few chuckled. One older woman in the row ahead sighed dreamily. Summer spotted him from the stage and lit up like the sun."Daddy!"Malakai grinned and gave his daughter a thumbs-up."Go, Summer!"Harper stared at him, torn between wanting to throttle him and wanting to cry with relief. He wheeled himself down the aisle towards her row, ignoring the curious glances, until he stopped right beside her seat.She still hadn't closed her mouth. He leaned in, his voice dropping low and warm just for her."Told you I'd make it," he whispered.Harper finally snapped her mouth shut."You're impossible," she whispered.His smile softened."Part of my charm."She shook her head, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her, lifting. Then her gaze dropped to his hand where it rested on the armrest. And she froze.On the back of his right hand, clear as day, was a fresh bit