And only then… did she notice the rest.
The entire family was gathered.
Lina and Alessandro standing near the dining table. Nonna pressing her hands together with teary eyes. Jace and Dominique on the sofa, trying not to look emotional. Even Leo's stern bodyguards were pretending not to stare with concern.
Zion and Casper stood near the wall with their arms crossed, their expressions softening the moment they saw her looking around.
They had all come.
For her.
Bella's breath trembled as she looked around the room, her vision blurring for a moment. So many faces. So many warm eyes. So many people who had been waiting quietly, worried quietly, hoping quietly.
Waiting for her to wake up.
Waiting for her to come back.
She swallowed, her heart swelling so gently it almost hurt. A shy smile curved on her lips, small and soft, fragile but filled with warmth that spread through the room like sunlight.
"Hi…" she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion she couldn't hide.
