Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 65

Gabriella had been worried all afternoon. Now that Asher was out of danger, she wanted to see him.

After all, he had taken that knife for her.

"Listen to me! Come home now!" Randolph commanded sharply.

Gabriella shook her head, her gaze resolute. "Dad, I know you're angry, but I can't go home yet. Asher risked his life for me. I have to see him. If he wakes up and I'm not there, he'll be devastated."

Lord Blackwood Sr. looked approvingly at her before turning to Randolph. "Randolph, my wife's words were out of line earlier. I apologize personally, and hope you won't take them to heart."

Lord Blackwood added, "Asher would certainly want to see Gabriella first when he opens his eyes."

Lady Blackwood Jr. said, "Please don't be angry. It's a wonderful thing that the children have such strong feelings for each other."

With even the powerful Lord Blackwood Sr. personally apologizing, Randolph found it difficult to maintain his position.

Lady Blackwood had indeed been unreasonable, but the rest of the family seemed sensible.

After a moment of silence, he looked at Gabriella. "Very well. You can stay. I'll go home to check on your sister."

After Randolph left, Gabriella apologized once more for her impulsive actions.

Lady Blackwood Jr. sighed, taking her hand. "My dear, please stop blaming yourself. This wasn't your fault. I know you never wanted to see Asher hurt. At the end of the day, this was a failure on our family's part. Your father was right."

Tears welled in Gabriella's eyes. "I need to see Asher."

Lady Blackwood Jr. squeezed her hand. "Let's go together."

When Asher opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Gabriella's worried face.

Seeing him finally awake, emotion welled up inside her, tears immediately spilling down her cheeks.

"Asher, you're finally awake," she said, her voice catching.

Asher's lips twitched into a weak smile, his voice tender despite his condition. "Don't cry. I'm not going anywhere."

Lady Blackwood Jr. stood nearby wiping her own tears. "I was terrified. Thank God you're alright. If anything had happened to you, I couldn't have borne it."

Lord Blackwood made a sound of disapproval. "Must you always be so dramatic?"

Gabriella's tears flowed freely. Seeing her distress, Asher attempted to reach up to wipe them away, but the movement was clearly difficult as the anesthesia wore off, making his wound throb painfully.

Gabriella quickly took his hand in hers. "Asher..."

"Gabby, don't cry," Asher said, a faint smile on his pale face, his eyes filled with tenderness and concern. "As long as you're safe, nothing else matters."

"No, that's not right," Gabriella said, wiping away her tears and sniffling. "We both need to be okay."

"What sort of talk is that?" Lady Blackwood Jr. frowned. "Of course you'll both be fine."

"How's Lucy?" Asher asked.

Gabriella's eyes were rimmed with red. "Lucy's fine. She's completely safe."

"Good."

Lady Blackwood Jr. shook her head fondly. "Nearly dying and still worrying about everyone else. You need to rest and heal. Don't concern yourself with anything else. We'll handle everything."

"Mother, Father, could you give us a moment?" Asher asked weakly. "I'd like some time with Gabriella."

Understanding, Lord and Lady Blackwood quietly left the room.

Asher looked at Gabriella with concern. "Gabby, they weren't hard on you, were they?"

Gabriella shook her head, her heart aching.

Even lying in a hospital bed, he was still worried about her welfare.

Fighting back tears, she forced a smile. "You need to get better quickly. We still have an engagement ceremony to hold."

Asher's colorless lips curved into a smile. "I promise."

Lord and Lady Blackwood had barely left the intensive care unit when they received an urgent call.

"You're awake." Gabriella appeared in the doorway. Seeing him conscious, she quickened her pace to the bedside, setting down a thermal container. "I was just preparing some food for you. Perfect timing—you can eat now."

Asher turned his gaze toward the container she'd placed on the bedside table, surprise flickering in his eyes. "You cooked?"

"Yes." Gabriella smiled shyly. "I made it myself. Would you like to try it? It's my first attempt at cooking, actually."

Asher gradually adjusted to the bright sunlight, his face softening in the glow, his features radiating warmth.

His lips curved into a gentle smile, his eyes sparkling. "I'd love to."

Gabriella leaned forward, and the soft floral scent of her perfume surrounded him.

Thinking she might embrace or kiss him, Asher's heart sweetened like honey. His eyes held a smile as he prepared himself for her kiss, a mixture of anticipation and slight nervousness building inside him.

It would be the first time Gabriella had initiated a kiss.

However, in the next moment, the head of the hospital bed slowly began to rise.

"I'm adjusting your bed so you can eat more comfortably," she explained.

Hearing this, Asher felt a small pang of disappointment, followed by amusement at his own assumption.

He'd behaved like a lovestruck teenager.

Gabriella set up a small table over the bed, covering it with a napkin before placing the thermal container on top.

She opened it to reveal stir-fried greens and poached beef on the top layer.

"The doctor said you need to be careful with your diet while in hospital—everything should be mild. I've made greens and beef for you, a good balance of protein and vegetables."

Asher gazed at her tenderly, silently studying her face.

For days, her face had appeared repeatedly in his dreams.

Now she was the first person he saw upon waking, and Asher felt a happiness so profound it almost seemed unreal.