I slowly woke up with blurred vision. Bright white light pierced my eyes, making me squint. The familiar antiseptic smell invaded my senses, and I gradually realized that I was in a hospital.
My head felt heavy, and my body weak as if all my energy had been drained. I tried to move my hands but could barely manage it. An IV line was attached to tie back of my hand, leaving a sting every time I moved.
In confusion, I tried to remember how I ended up here. Anxiety began to creep into my mind–what about Charlie? Was he okay?
With great effort, I tried to calm myself and recall what had happened. Maybe this was an opportunity to recover, to become stronger again. I had to focus on healing, so I could continue to fight for Charlie.
“Sabrina…”
That deep voice made me turn, even though my neck felt stiff. There, sitting by my bedside, was Nicholas, looking at me with a worried expression. He looked tired; dark circles under his eyes showed he might not have slept all night. His work suit was a bit rumpled, and his tje was loose, as if he had rushed to get here.
“You’re finally awake,” he said softly, almost a whisper. He sighed deeply, as if the worry he had felt was finally easing.
I tried to open my mouth to speak, but my voice was hoarse and nearly inaudible. “Nicholas… where am I?” “You’re in the hospital,” he replied, shifting his chair closer to the bed. “You fainted in your apartment. Thankfully, the building manager found me when I came back to check on you. Sabrina, you scared me half to death.”
I stared at him, trying to process his words. Memories of me falling in the living room slowly came back- dizziness, nausea, and then darkness.
Nicholas looked at me silently for a moment before continuing, “The doctor said you were exhausted and forgot to take your medication. Do you know how dangerous that is?”
His tone rose slightly at the end of the sentence, but not out of anger–more out of frustration. I could feel the genuine concern in every word he spoke.
“I’m sorry…” I whispered weakly. “I didn’t mean to… everything happened so fast…”
He shook his head, took a deep breath, and leaned back in his chair. “I don’t want to hear excuses, Sabrina. I just want you to stop hurting yourself like this.”
I fell silent. His words pierced my heart, but I knew he was right. I had neglected my own health, drowning in the sadness and stress that had never ceased since Hazel took Charlie away yesterday.
“Charlie…” I said softly, almost inaudibly. “Is he okay?”
Nicholas looked at me with an unreadable expression. There was guilt there, but also determination. “Charlie is fine,” he finally answered. “But he misses you a lot. Hazel, isn’t making things easy, and that makes it harder for Charlie.”
I closed my eyes, holding back the tears that were beginning to swell. “I want to see him, Nicholas. I want to make sure he’s okay.”
“Sabrina,” he said, holding my weak hand. His touch was warm, full of care. “I know you want to see Charlie, and I promise I’ll make that happen. But right now, you have to focus on healing. You won’t be able to help Charlie if
you keep going like this.”
I opened my eyes, looking at him in pain. “I feel like I’ve let everything, Nicholas, Charlie… he’s the only reason i hold on. But now Hazel makes me feel like I don’t have the right to love him.”
Nicholas squeezed my hand tighter, looking at me seriously “Hazel has no right to say that. You are a part of Charlie’s life, and no one can change that fact. I know this is difficult, but you have to trust me. I will do whatever it takes to ensure you and Charlie can be together.”
There was conviction in his voice, but I couldn’t shake the Ungering doubt that haunted me. Hazel was so stubborn and full of hatred towards me. How could there be a way out of all this?
“Thank you,” I finally whispered, even though my heart still felt heavy.
Nicholas smiled faintly, though exhaustion was still evident on his face. “You don’t need to thank me, Sabrina. This is my responsibility, not just as Charlie’s father, but also… as someone who cares about you.”
His words left me speechless. I didn’t know how to respond so I just nodded slowly.
A nurse entered the room, checking the IV and noting something on her clipboard. She smiled gently at me. “How are you feeling, Miss?”
“A little dizzy,” I answered honestly.
“That’s normal,” she said. “Your body is exhausted, and your blood pressure dropped significantly. But don’t worry, with enough rest and care, you will recover.”
I nodded as the nurse continued her work. After finishing, she left us alone again.
Nicholas looked at me seriously. “I’ve arranged for you not to have to think about anything for a while. I want you to focus on your recovery, Sabrina. Everything else, including Hazel, I’ll take care of.”
I wanted to protest, to say that I couldn’t just sit idly by while Charlie might be suffering. But my weak body and Nicholas’s determined gaze left me with no choice but to nod.
“Okay,” I replied softly. “But Nicholas… don’t let Hazel make Charlie hate me.
He nodded, looking at me with conviction. “I won’t let that happen. I promise.”
A sense of relief washed over my heart upon hearing his words. Although I knew this situation was complicated, a little hope began to grow within me. Nicholas had always been a dependable figure, and I believed he would do his best to protect Charlie.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice trembling. “I just want him to know that I care, that I’m here for him.”
Nicholas gently held my hand. “You need to focus on yourself right now. After you recover, we can find a way to help him understand everything.”
I nodded, trying to gather my strength. With Nicholas’s support, I felt a little more ready to face the challenges ahead.
For the first time since yesterday’s events, I felt a little peace. Though the longing and worry for Charlie had… diminished, I knew I was not alone. I took a deep breath, trying to gather my resolve. Whatever happened, I had to hold on. For Charlie. For our future.
