Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3298

When Tiana and Victoria saw Andrew, they were overwhelmed with joy and burst into tears.

Two years ago, they had known something terrible had happened to him. Now that he had returned safe and sound, no one was happier than they were.

Tiana didn’t hold back. She threw her arms around Andrew, hugging him tightly as she laughed and cried at the same time.

Andrew blushed faintly. “Mrs. Rhodes, that’s enough. Please, have a seat.”

Tiana showed no concern at all. She huffed playfully. “What are you so afraid of? I like you. What’s wrong with a hug?”

Jameson’s expression darkened. “You say that about any young, handsome man. Listen, Tiana—Andy isn’t just anybody anymore. Show some restraint.”

Tiana shot him a look of disdain, but she still returned to her seat.

Andrew turned to Victoria. She met his gaze with a gentle smile.

Ever since her energy core had shattered, something in her had changed. Andrew could sense it. The once-proud Victoria had grown quieter, and much of the brightness in her eyes had faded. Even now, though she was smiling at him, he could tell she was forcing it.

“I have good news,” Andrew said warmly. “I can restore your energy core now. More precisely, I can forcibly reopen your twin core meridians and bring your martial arts back.”

Victoria’s slender body trembled. Excitement flooded her, but so did fear. Her voice shook. “Andrew… is that really true?”

Andrew nodded. “With my current strength, restoring you will be effortless. Come on. Let’s go to the meditation room. You’ll soon feel your martial arts return.”

Tiana clapped her hands in delight. “That’s wonderful! Let’s go! Andy, I didn’t dote on you all those years for nothing.”

Andrew’s expression turned solemn. “I’ve never forgotten the help you gave me.”

Victoria’s eyes reddened, but she forced herself not to cry. She simply nodded, tears shimmering in her gaze.

Soon, Andrew and Victoria entered the meditation room.

“You might feel some pain,” Andrew warned gently. “You’ll need to endure it.”

“It’s fine… It’s fine,” Victoria murmured. “I can handle it.”

Andrew hesitated for a moment before adding with a faint, awkward smile, “I’ll need to touch certain areas during the process.”

Victoria’s cheeks flushed. She shot him a sideways glance, her expression both shy and teasing. “Why are you embarrassed? It’s not like you haven’t touched me before.”

Andrew cleared his throat. These women were bold by nature.

For a brief second, Luna’s mother, Bridget, crossed his mind. Her personality was nothing like Tiana’s or Victoria’s. Shaking off the distraction, Andrew focused.

True force surged through his palms.

To avoid overwhelming Victoria’s delicate body, he moved carefully, placing his hand against her waist and abdomen. That area connected the upper and lower energy cores. From there, he could use his strength to reopen her twin core meridians.

Gradually, Victoria felt a burning heat build within her. It grew stronger by the second.

Beneath her thin clothes, sweat began to form, dampening her skin. Beads of perspiration gathered on her nose and forehead. Yet none of it compared to the strange, tingling sensation rising deep within her chest.

For a long time, she had subconsciously kept her distance from Andrew.

Especially after he left Gabo Creek and came to Chetvine—when she and Tiana had gone to see him—her feelings had shifted in ways she hadn’t expected.

Encouraged by Tiana to stop holding herself back, she had nearly crossed the line several times. She had once wanted to throw caution aside and let something happen between them.

This younger man was no longer a shadow of Reginald.

He had his own presence—steady, loyal, deeply emotional. He cared for her with quiet attentiveness.

Most of all, being near him made her feel both at ease and restless at the same time.

It was like a spark landing on dry tinder—igniting the heart she had kept dormant for so many years.