As soon as Ashley reached the top of the stairs, Gabriel ushered her out.
"I need to take you to the hospital. Steven's awake," he said cautiously.
Pretending to be shocked, Ashley responded, "Really?"
Gabriel gripped the steering wheel tighter. "He's been awake for several days now. I didn't tell you right away since you weren't in New York."
"That's good," Ashley said, her voice slightly shaky, her eyes misting with genuine joy for Steven.
"He finally doesn't have to spend the rest of his life in that hospital bed."
Her voice quivered slightly with emotion.
Gabriel misunderstood her trembling as fear about her past wrongdoing potentially coming to light.
"Relax," Gabriel reassured her. "Steven doesn't know about the lost baby. We haven't told him yet."
"We'll find the right time
