The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 36

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 36**

Alessa drifted in and out of a dreamlike state, her subconscious grasping at the faint echoes of laughter and chatter that danced just beyond her awareness. As the sounds grew more pronounced, she began to recognize the voices—her children, their familiar tones tugging at her heart.

Tiny hands began to explore her face, gentle and curious.

“When is she going to wake up?” Aria’s voice chimed, her small fingers brushing against Alessa’s cheek.

“I don’t know. Should we wake her up?” Aiden’s voice was closer now, his face hovering just above hers, eyes wide with concern.

“Don’t wake her up! The doctor might get mad,” Aria warned, attempting to push Aiden away, but he remained stubbornly in place, his determination evident. They were nestled together in her hospital bed, a cozy but chaotic scene.

“I feel like she’s pretending. I know she’s awake; I know Mum so well. Nothing hurts her,” Aiden proclaimed with the confidence only a child could possess, his small hand brushing against her forehead as if to confirm his theory.

“You don’t know anything,” Aria scoffed, rolling her eyes at her brother’s bravado.

“Really? Watch this! I’m going to do a magic trick and wake her up,” he declared, puffing out his chest as he cleared his throat theatrically.

“Alessa!” he called out dramatically, voice echoing with a mix of excitement and mischief.

“What?” Alessa responded abruptly, her eyes snapping open. The sudden movement startled both children, causing them to flinch back and let out a small scream of surprise.

“That was not cool,” Aiden exclaimed, his voice rising in indignation, while Alessa couldn’t help but chuckle at their reactions.

“And it wasn’t funny either,” Aria added, her breath coming in quick bursts, still shaken from the abrupt awakening.

“I found it funny! I laughed,” Alessa teased, a smile playing on her lips as they both shot her incredulous glares.

“Hey,” a familiar voice called from the side of the bed, drawing her attention. Alessa turned to find Bryan standing there, a presence she hadn’t registered until now.

She felt a surge of anger rising within her, but then her gaze landed on Thane, who was also in the room, standing guard. Relief washed over her; Thane was not just any guard—he was one of her most trusted allies, a man she had fought alongside for years.

“I told them not to disturb you, but they wouldn’t listen,” Bryan added, his tone slightly defensive.

Alessa let out a slow breath, her gaze shifting back to her children.

“Are you okay?” Aiden asked, his small hand gently probing her forehead as she slowly sat up, the world around her coming into clearer focus. Alessa returned his concern with a warm smile and a nod.

Her eyes flicked back to Bryan, who was still clad in his tuxedo, looking out of place in the sterile hospital environment. Her children, too, were still dressed in their formal attire, remnants of whatever event had brought them here.

“Shouldn’t you be home with your wife?” Alessa questioned, an edge of accusation lacing her words.

“There was no one else who could stay with them,” Bryan replied, his voice steady but tinged with an undercurrent of frustration.

“The big scary man would have stayed with us,” Aria chimed in, pointing at Thane with a mischievous grin.

“Yeah, Lydia was also cool with it,” Bryan said, only for Aiden to scoff, drawing everyone’s attention back to him.

“That’s a lie, Mum! A huge lie! She was really mad; she yelled so much at him,” Aiden said, laughter bubbling up as he recalled the scene. Bryan stared at him, eyebrows raised in surprise, though he quickly masked it.

“How do you know that?” Bryan asked, curiosity piqued.

“We heard her yelling on the phone. It was really loud,” Aria piped up, her tone matter-of-fact.

Bryan nodded, the weight of the situation settling in.

“The doctor said you passed out due to stress,” he informed Alessa, his eyes searching hers for any sign of lingering distress.

“Of course,” she muttered, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

“You should leave now,” Alessa instructed Bryan firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

“Why? He stayed with us! You don’t have to be mean to him. You should thank him,” Aria interjected, her small voice filled with innocence and loyalty.

“Thank him? He did what he was supposed to do,” Alessa shot back, her gaze unwavering as it locked onto Bryan’s.

The air thickened with unspoken tension as they exchanged glances, the silence stretching between them like a taut string.

Alessa’s mind raced back to the memories of how Bryan had treated her, flooding her with a mix of anger and hurt that she had tried so hard to suppress. The sight of him ignited a fire within her, a desire for him to suffer as she had. She wanted him to feel the weight of his actions, to beg for forgiveness as she had once done.

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