The Billionaire's Temptation: Love, Family and Revenge-Chapter 67: Awake

Lily had just finished cleaning her friend Elena. She looked at her with a warm and happy smile, feeling relieved that she could take care of her. She stood up, left the towel and bucket in the bathroom, and walked back into the room. To her surprise, Elena was awake and slowly rubbing her eyes.

Elena let out a soft yawn, then opened her eyes. As her vision cleared, she saw Lily standing nearby. Lily was frozen in place, shocked and crying silently. Tears ran down her face as she stared at her friend who had finally woken up.

"Elena," Lily said in a shaky voice, hardly believing it. Elena’s voice came out in a whisper.

"Lily," she said gently.

"You’re awake... and you remember me?" Lily asked, her voice full of hope, even as more tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Why wouldn’t I remember you?" Elena asked, confused. The moment she spoke, Lily rushed to her and hugged her tightly, crying with relief.

"We’ve all missed you so much. I was so scared... There was a time I thought you might not wake up," Lily said, holding her friend close as if she would disappear again.

Elena returned the hug with a soft smile. "I’m sorry I made you worry so much," she said. Then, looking around and realizing where she was, she asked, "Where is Ford?"

Lily gently pulled away from the hug, wiping her tears. "Don’t worry," she said. "Ford found us. He’s been with you the whole time. He didn’t even rest. As soon as Doctor Charles said you were stable, he rushed home to change."

Elena looked around the hospital room, still confused. She looked at the machines, the IV connected to her arm, and the white sheets on the bed. Then, she touched her head and her body slowly, as if checking for injuries. Her face showed she was trying hard to remember something.

"Lily... I’m still wondering. How did I get here? Why am I lying in a hospital bed? And why was Ford looking for us?" she asked with curiosity and concern in her voice.

Hearing Elena’s words, Lily suddenly covered her mouth in shock. Her eyes widened, and her whole body stiffened. She slowly moved closer to Elena, placing her hand on her forehead.

"Elena... are you saying you don’t remember anything?" Lily asked carefully, worried and anxious. Her mind was racing. Was Elena truly awake but had lost her memories?

The room fell into silence for a moment, the only sounds were the quiet beeping of the hospital machines and the soft wind coming through the window. Lily looked deeply into her friend’s eyes, hoping this wasn’t a new problem they had to face. The joy of Elena waking up was now mixed with a new fear—what if she had forgotten everything?

Lily leaned closer to Elena, placing a gentle hand on her forehead. "You’re not burning up," she said softly, trying to sound cheerful. Then she looked into Elena’s eyes and added, "Are you playing a prank on me?"

She tried to smile, but it was difficult. Deep inside, Lily was worried. She remembered what Doctor Charles had told her—Elena might not remember everything.

Suddenly, Elena winced and cried out, "Ahh, fuck." She had accidentally touched the side of her stomach, the exact spot where she had been operated on.

Lily immediately leaned forward, concern filling her voice. "I’m so sorry. Are you in pain?" she asked, watching Elena closely. "You really don’t remember being kicked... or beaten up? Or who did this to you?"

Elena slowly shook her head. Her face looked calm, but there was confusion in her eyes. "All I remember is you crying," she said softly. "I was holding you and trying to comfort you. We were about to leave... then I went back to the restroom... and that’s it. After that, everything is blank."

Lily’s heart sank. She stared at Elena, hoping something more would come back to her. "So after that... nothing?" she asked quietly.

Elena tried to think harder. Her eyebrows furrowed, her eyes focused, and her hands gripped the sheets. But no new memories came. She finally looked back at Lily and shook her head sadly. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Tears began to stream down Lily’s face again. She couldn’t hold them back any longer.

"Lily, please don’t cry," Elena said quickly, reaching out and holding her friend’s hand. "I’m okay. That’s all that matters. I’m awake now, and even though I feel pain all over my body, it’s not unbearable."

Her words were kind and gentle, but deep down, Elena was upset. She hated the fact that she couldn’t remember what had happened to her. She felt helpless and confused, even as she tried to comfort Lily.

Lily wiped her face with her sleeve and looked away for a second. Her voice cracked as she spoke, "I’m so sad right now. I’m happy you’re awake... but I’m also so angry. The criminal who did this to you is still free. He should be in jail!"

Elena gave a soft smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She understood Lily’s pain. "It’s alright, darling," she said calmly. "Maybe with time, I’ll remember."

Then, without another word, she pulled Lily into a warm hug. They held each other tightly. There was silence between them, but the hug said everything—fear, hope, sadness, and love.

Elena slowly released Lily from their hug, a slight frown on her face. "My head is banging. I’m having a terrible migraine," she said softly, placing her hand gently on her forehead.

Lily immediately grew concerned. "Let me call the doctor. He needs to know you’re awake," she said, already starting to move toward the door. But before she could reach it, the door swung open on its own.

Kelvin entered the room and stopped in surprise. His eyes widened as he saw Elena sitting up. "Elena?" he called out in disbelief.

"Yes, Kelvin. How have you been?" Elena replied with a warm smile.

Kelvin walked in quickly, unable to hide the joy on his face. "I should be the one asking that! We were all so worried about when you’d wake up. I’m just so glad you remember me—and thank God you’re finally awake. My friend here would’ve fallen sick from worry if you hadn’t."

Lily let out a soft laugh, shaking her head, and the three of them chuckled together. The tension in the room eased for a moment, replaced by lighthearted joy.

"Oh, baby, please help me call Doctor Charles. He needs to know Elena is awake!" Lily said to Kelvin, suddenly excited. "And don’t forget to call Ford too—he’ll be so happy to hear this!"

As Kelvin turned to leave, Elena noticed Lily’s flustered smile and the way she called Kelvin "baby." She raised an eyebrow and smiled knowingly. "Don’t worry," Lily said, noticing her friend’s curious look. "She already knows," she added, blushing.

Kelvin laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I’m going. I’ll call the doctor," he said with a grin as he stepped out.

Elena looked at Lily, her eyes twinkling. "Wow, so you and Kelvin are really together?" she asked teasingly.

Lily blushed even more, nodding shyly.

"And look at the way you’re blushing!" Elena laughed. "You must really love him. How long has it been? Have you two kissed yet?" she asked playfully.

Lily laughed, covering her face with her hands. "Elena, take it easy! All these questions for me already?" she said between giggles, her cheeks bright red.

"Oh Lily, are you going to cry again? If you do, I’ll start crying too," Elena teased. She reached out and gently wiped away the happy tears forming in Lily’s eyes with her thumb.

"I’m sorry if I made you worry so much," Elena said, her voice soft but full of affection.

Lily shook her head, smiling brightly. "Don’t be sorry. I’m just so glad you’re awake. You wouldn’t believe how worried we all were. I can only imagine how Ford will feel when he hears this," she said, her voice filled with joy and relief.

The room was warm with love, laughter, and happiness.

Lily sat beside Elena, watching her closely. Out of nowhere, she leaned forward and asked, "Do you love my brother? Have you two made out?"

Elena’s eyes widened in shock. Her cheeks turned red as she quickly covered her face with both hands. "Oh Lily!" she exclaimed, laughing nervously. "How can you ask me something like that? Go ask your brother if you’re that curious!"

Lily grinned playfully. "You know I can’t ask him that. That’s what friends are for!" she said, gently pulling Elena’s hands away from her face. "Besides, I’ve seen you two in a... compromising situation before, so don’t act innocent. There’s no use hiding anything now. Just spill the truth!"

Elena looked down, suddenly shy. Her voice was soft as she replied, "Well... Lily, we haven’t made out."

Lily’s jaw dropped. "What? You haven’t? But you live in the same house! You eat together, see each other every single day, and nothing has happened between you two?" She shook her head, clearly surprised. "Or... maybe you don’t love each other like that?"

Elena took a deep breath, her expression turning more serious. "Lily, I think you’re rushing things. Honestly, I’m not even sure if your brother sees me that way. I mean, what if he just sees me as a friend... or worse, just a fling?" She paused, then added with a hint of sadness, "I don’t think I’m even his type."

Lily listened quietly before reaching out and gently lifting Elena’s chin so their eyes could meet. "Elena, from everything that’s happened so far, I can tell you this—my brother is deeply in love with you. I’ve never seen him like this. Not for any woman. He was broken when you were unconscious, and he stayed by your side every single day."

Elena’s eyes softened, and a small smile appeared on her face. "You have a way of making everything seem alright," she said warmly, touched by her friend’s words.

"But everything is alright," Lily replied with a light laugh. "Unless... you’re not sure how you feel about him. Are you?"

Just as Elena opened her mouth to answer, the door opened. Doctor Charles stepped in, followed by Kelvin. The moment was interrupted, but the warmth in the room remained.

Kelvin walked over to Lily with a smile, and Doctor Charles approached Elena to check on her. The soft hum of hospital machines filled the background as the conversation shifted, but the thoughts in Elena’s heart stayed. Lily’s words had sparked something in her—a mixture of hope, fear, and questions about her feelings for Ford.

"Was she falling for Ford?" She wondered within her