SASHA’S POV
It felt good to have things settle back into a rhythm again. For weeks, the tension between Sebastian and me had been like a storm cloud hovering over us.
But true to his word, he had resolved the drama with the woman I’d suspected of causing trouble. He didn’t just tell me he’d handled it, He showed me.
It was strange how easy it felt now to fall back into our routines. Sebastian had returned to his demanding work schedule, and I had thrown myself into mine.
The online business I’d started months ago, a project I had quietly nurtured for so long, was finally taking off. Sales were steady, and some days, they even surged beyond what I thought possible.
Today, however, was a whirlwind unlike anything I had experienced before.
Sebastian had reluctantly agreed to model one of my pieces,
something I never thought he’d say yes to. “You’re lucky I love you,” he’d teased when I begged him for just one photo.
The way his lips quivered at the corner as he posed had left me breathless. I didn’t realise at the time how that single picture would transform my business.
Orders had flooded in ever since I uploaded his photo.
Sitting in my home office, I stared at the endless stream of purchase notifications pinging on my laptop. The notifications came in so fast I could barely keep up. My fingers flew across the keyboard as I tried to answer inquiries and confirm purchases.
“Sold out,” I mumbled to myself, updating the stock count yet again.
The sound of Sebastian’s footsteps drew my attention. He leaned casually against the doorway, his tie loosened and a glass of water in his hand.
“You look like you’re about to explode,” he said, smirking as he took a sip of water. “Still think asking me to model was a good idea?”
I groaned, not looking up from my screen. “It was a great idea until every customer decided they wanted that one piece.”
Sebastian laughed, the sound rich and teasing. “Guess I’ve still got it.”
I rolled my eyes, finally turning to face him. “Don’t flatter yourself too much. It’s the craftsmanship they want, not you.”
“Uh-huh,” he said, walking over to my desk. “So the hundreds of comments about how good your husband looks… those are all about the craftsmanship too?”
I swatted at him playfully. “Stop distracting me. I’m drowning over here.”
He chuckled and leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “You’re amazing, Sasha. And if you need help, you know where to find me.”
“I might take you up on that,” I muttered, returning to my laptop as he walked out of the room.
The orders kept coming, and I lost all sense of time as I worked. My phone buzzed on the desk next to me, but I barely glanced at it.
“Hi, thank you for contacting us,” I said, answering what I assumed was another customer inquiry. “I’m sorry to say that the item you’re looking for is”
“Sasha.”
The familiar voice on the other end of the line froze me mid-sentence.
It wasn’t a customer. It was the doctor.
“Your father,” the doctor said, his tone careful but urgent. “He’s awake.”
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
“What?” I whispered, gripping the edge of my desk.
“He woke up this morning,” the doctor said. “He’s asking for you.”
The words hit me like a wave, and I closed my eyes, letting them sink in. My father was awake. After months of waiting, after countless prayers and sleepless nights, he was awake.
“I’ll be there,” I said quickly, my voice trembling.
I hung up the phone and sat there, staring at the screen in front of me. My mind raced with a hundred thoughts, but one stood out above the rest: I had to get to him.
Sebastian appeared in the doorway again, concern etched on his face. “Sasha, what’s wrong?”
I stood, my legs shaky beneath me. “It’s my father,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “He’s awake.”
His eyes softened, and he crossed the room in three quick steps, pulling me into his arms. “That’s amazing,” he said, holding me close. “Let’s go. I’ll drive.”
I nodded against his chest, the weight of the moment settling over me.
As Sebastian grabbed his keys and guided me to the car, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions-relief, fear, hope. I couldn’t wait to see my father, to hear his voice, to know that he was truly okay.
The drive to the hospital felt both endless and far too short. When we arrived, I barely waited for the car to stop before I was out and heading inside.
The nurse at the desk smiled kindly as I approached. “You must be Sasha,” she said. “He’s been asking for you.”
My chest tightened, and I nodded. She led me down a quiet hallway to his room.
When I stepped inside, my breath caught.
My father was sitting up in bed, his eyes bright and alert. He looked thinner than I remembered, but he was awake.
“Dad,” I said, my voice breaking as I rushed to his side.
He smiled, reaching out to take my hand. “Sasha,” he said, his voice hoarse but full of warmth. “You’re here.”
Tears streamed down my face as I sat beside him. “I’m here,” I said, squeezing his hand. “I’ve missed you so much.”
He chuckled softly, his grip steady despite the months he’d spent in a coma. “You look good, kiddo. Better than the last time I saw you.”
I laughed through my tears, overwhelmed by the sound of his voice. “You scared me,” I admitted. “I didn’t know if you’d ever wake up.”
His expression softened, and he looked at me with a mix of love and apology. “I’m sorry, Sasha. For everything.”
“Don’t,” I said quickly. “Don’t apologise. You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
We talked for what felt like hours, catching up on everything he’d missed. I told him about my business, about Sebastian, about how much we had all been rooting for him.
Sebastian stepped into the room quietly, giving me a small smile. My father’s eyes lit up when he saw him.
“So, this is the guy,” my dad said, his voice teasing despite his weakened state.
Sebastian chuckled and extended his hand. “It’s good to finally meet you, sir.”
My father shook his hand, his grip surprisingly firm. “Take care of my daughter,” he said, his tone serious.
“Always,” Sebastian replied, glancing at me with a look that made my heart ache with love.
As the evening wore on, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in months. My father was awake, and for the first time in a long time, everything felt right.
When we left the hospital that night, Sebastian held my hand tightly, as if grounding me in the moment.
“You okay?” he asked as we got into the car.
I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. “I think I am,” I said. “For the first time in a long time, I really am.”
As we drove home, I couldn’t help but think about how far we’d come-not just my father, but Sebastian and me too. Our journey hadn’t been easy, but in this moment, everything felt worth it.