Chapter 57: You scared me

Ashley's POV

I woke up to a beeping sound and bright lights around me.

All the anxiety rushed in. It took me a while to calm down and realize I was no longer tied up in that place. I was safe. I still couldn't close my eyes and not reimagine everything. I wish I could forget everything. About a month ago, I would never have imagined my life would turn out this way.

The sedatives were wearing off when my family came rushing into my room.

Mom and Katy were the first to strangle me with their hugs and kisses. Soon enough, my room was covered in flowers and get well soon balloons.

It was a relief to see everyone again. I thought I never would.

We spoke for hours and even cried. You never know how to appreciate these small moments until they could be taken away.

I was glad to hear that the woman had finally been arrested. I hope she is locked away somewhere she can never hurt anyone again. Although everything now seemed to be settling, I couldn't help but think that the real storm would soon follow.

A nurse stopped by multiple times to inform us that visiting hours were over. By then, Katy had fallen asleep beside me. It was difficult enough waking her up, let alone convincing her it was time to leave.

"We'll leave you to get some rest. I'll be outside if you need anything," Mom announced. She pulled me in for a final hug. If I hadn't pulled away, she would have probably let go when my bones started cracking.

They finally left the room and I was exhausted.

I hugged myself tightly to remind myself I was safe.

Someone knocked on my door. A nurse stepped in holding a bouquet of pink roses. She smiled at me approaching my bed.

"Someone sent these for you," she announced with a smile.

"Who sent them?" I asked sitting up straight.

"I don't know, but they came with a card." She answered.

She pushed aside the flower vase already on the desk beside me to make room for the bouquet. She didn't say anything before leaving the room.

I thought I had seen everyone already. Who were they from?

I smiled reaching into the flowers for the note.

It was in an envelope; I unfolded the letter and began reading.

My smile immediately dropped; it wasn't a get well soon letter as I anticipated.

I quickly wiped my tears and choked them back to keep myself from crying. I wanted to be done with everything. I miss the days when my life was simpler. I was always broke but at least back then I wasn't choked up by all the lies and hate. I crumbled the letter in my fist and throw it across the room.

I was startled as the door slowly cracked open. I held onto my bed sheets tightly as I waited for the person to reveal them. This hospital had to be safe right?

Tristan's face emerged from the shadows.

I retreated slowly as he approached me.

"You are awake," Tristan said smiling.

He walked to my side and sat beside me. I could barely concentrate on him. My mind was clouded with too many thoughts.

He took my hand into his and smiled softly at me. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here when you woke up," He said. "You scared me, I thought something terrible would happen to you." He paused.

I pulled my hand away from his.

He had no need to be here. It was best if he left. I was grateful for everything he had done for me but here was when our journey ended.

He tore his eyes away from me and stared at the floor before looking up at me again. "I know that a lot of things have happened, but I promise you that from now on, things will be different. I'm deeply sorry for everything I did. I should never have acted that way. I lost sight of who you really are when I felt hurt and betrayed. And mostly, I felt like I had lost you. As if I never had you in the first place. And that scared me. I acted out in the worst way possible without hearing  you out first and for that I'm sorry." He explained.

I understood him too. I made a lot of bad decisions that I thought were good at the time and he reacted that way because of it. I should have never done any of what I did either. I know and understand that lies can never be good.

But I wish things were different.

"You should leave," I finally replied. My mouth became dry, perhaps because I knew I was about to tell one final lie.

"Of course, you need some rest. I'll see you in the morning." He concluded. He smiled at me weakly and then leaned in to kiss me on my forehead.

"You shouldn't come back," I added as he pulled away.

He now stared at me with confusion, but he dismissed whatever he was thinking as his face lightened up. "Of course I'll be here," he answered.

I shook my head at him. "You shouldn't come back to see me, not today or ever. We should end this. Everything that did or didn't happen, all of it." I explained.

"You should get some rest. We are not thinking clearly right now, so many things have already happened on the same day," he answered dismissively.

"My mind has never been clearer on this. We were a mistake. None of this should have happened or gone this far. We've been a disaster since the very beginning. There are far too many cues we can't ignore to know things will never work out. Let's just end this now and go our separate ways before we destroy each other further." I said.

"We'll figure things out together. Why are you so afraid of what hasn't even happened yet?" He asked.

"I lied to you. I should have never done that or played with your emotions. How will you ever trust me going forward? Don't you hate me for it?" I asked.

"I know now that's not who you are. I could never agree with your reasons but now I understand and I'm willing to fight for us." He answered.

I sighed. "I nearly died and all I could think about were all the things I never got the chance to do. I want to start my life over without all of this and there is no room for you in it anymore." I continued.

"Why are you doing this? I love you," he asked.

"If you loved me, you'd leave and never return," I answered.

"You can't ask me to do that," he whispered.

"Please leave," I answered.

I turned away from him and pulled the bed sheet over myself.

A minute almost slipped by before I heard him walk out of the room.

It might hurt now but this was best for everyone. It's better for everyone this way.

***

It must have been six a.m. when my mother came to visit.

"Your sister wanted to visit but couldn't skip any more school days," Mom announced.

I felt her stroking my hair as she sat beside me.

"What happened?" She whispered.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You looked a bit better last night and now you look so sad. Besides, I saw Tristan sleeping in the hall and he didn't seem so good either. He seemed so relieved last night after hearing you were alright so I must assume something had happened." She commented.

"It's nothing," I answered dismissively.

She sighed. "Look, you should probably talk about things. I didn't want to talk about things either and look where it got me so many years later. He cares a lot about you. He wouldn't be here if he didn't. I told him not to show up and clearly, he is not giving up." She said.

"Don't worry. Soon enough, you'll never see him again. You should be happy about that," I answered. I turned away from her.

"But are you happy?" she asked.

"Can you just leave me alone? If you are finished, you can make your way out." I said.

She stayed around for almost an hour, she then had to leave and go to the police station for questioning.

Turns out you can only sleep for as long until you become bored.

The doctors and nurses made frequent visits and were optimistic about my recovery. My body was still weak but I felt a lot better.

I was relieved when the nurse announced I'd have a visitor until I saw who it was.

The sound of the walking stick should have been a clue enough to know who it was. I could have used the time to pretend I was dead or better still leave the room but I was foolishly hopeful.

Tristan's grandfather walked into my room with his usual sinister look and a mightier-than-thou attitude.

He looked over at me and smirked. "You don't look too bad. I guess everyone exaggerated how bad you were." He commented. If my hand wasn't connected to an IV, I'd be the one leaving this room. He was here for a peace offering.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"Don't worry," he replied, raising his hand. "I won't be here for too long. I just wanted to be here in person to make sure my message was clear. I hope you liked my flowers." He smiled. "It's funny how I've tried to make sure you and I don't end up as family yet here we are." He chuckled. "You've really cost me a lot lately, you and all your recent drama." He paused. "I'm sure we both agree that things will get ugly. You can bet that a lot of ugly things are going to come out in the tabloids. It would be best if you stayed as far away as possible from my grandson before you ruin him and his reputation." He continued.

"I'm not the one who told her to kidnap me and try to kill me twice," I answered.

"You have no idea how many people sympathise with her. Your mother was a whore, she ruined her marriage, and you were a mistake that should never have happened. I don't want your bad luck to rub off on my grandson. He can do so much better and find a woman who is decent and has morals." He continued. He should be the last to speak about morals.

"If you came here to insult me, you should leave. There is nothing left between Tristan and I so you have no reason to be here." I answered.

"He might seem infatuated with you right now but someday he will see you for who you truly are. I'd hope you'd look for at least an ounce of decency and stay away from him. I hope this time my message is clear." He added.

This time he didn't bother faking his smile. He gave me a sinister look before leaving my room.

I felt numb. I just wanted this nightmare to be over and go back to a time in my life when I worked two jobs to pay the bills and I didn't have to worry about people plotting against me. He was right, I was bad luck and I was bound to brag Tristan into my mess, he didn't deserve that. Perhaps there will come a day when Tristan will be happier without me. I do love him but fate always seems to have other plans for us. Maybe if we ended, all of this would too. I didn't want anyone else to suffer.

Hours passed as I spent my time asleep and watching some TV. Before I knew it, it was almost sunset and my sister had come to visit. I just wish she would stop talking.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Katy asked poking into my arm. She wouldn't stop, the longer I tried to ignore her the more she persisted.

"Could you please stop talking about him? I already told you nothing happened." I answered.

"Then why are you doing this?" She asked pulling my arm. "You have to get Tristan back for us. Who else will cook with Mom? You know he is the only person who has ever told Mom her food was terrible and lived to tell the tale." She continued.

Right now I was beginning to think that Tristan had paid her to be his salesperson.

"If I hear another word from you, I'll stuff a pillow over your head." I threatened. My body was too weak right now. I'm sure she'd continue talking even as I strangled her.

"I spoke to him earlier. I think he is the only good taste you've ever had. Who else thinks hotdogs are the best food in the world? Out of all the sushi and steak in the world, why would that be your favourite?" she asked.

"Didn't you say you no longer liked him?" I asked.

"Yes, but he seemed very sorry. Besides, if someone lied about having my baby I'd be upset too. How many people do you know who lies about being pregnant and isn't a gold-digger? Maybe you need to see it from his view." She answered.

I wasn't mad about that.

"I was really rooting for teamTristley," she said. I wasn't evens going to ask. "Come to think about it, I think Ashtan sounds so much better." She continued.

I took the pillow supporting my back and used it to cover my face hoping Katy's voice would be blared out.

Right now I'd pay someone to date my sister just so she'd stop talking.

***

DAYS LATER

It took a few days before the doctors could clear me out and send me home. I was being discharged today and I had decided it would be the start of my new life.

Tristan hasn't come over as much, at least not to see me. It meant he was starting to get it. This way we'd both be able to move on eventually.

I was packing the few items Mom had brought to make me more comfortable when I heard a knock on my door. Layla peeked through the door before walking in.

She has been responsible for making sure there is a fresh batch of flowers in my room every day. She visited me a few times. I was glad she never pushed anything between Tristan and me. Without me explaining, she said she understood.

Today there was something different about her. She didn't look like she was dressed for the runway, nor did she carry around her fancy handbag. She was wearing flat shoes. I noticed her eyes were red.

"I'm so sorry I haven't visited you much in the last few days. How are you, sweetheart?" she asked. She smiled at me weakly.

"I'm fine, I'm being discarded today," I answered. I closed my bag and finally finished packing."Is there something wrong?" I asked.

She remained hesitant for a while before speaking. "No, it's nothing." She answered shaking her head. "I just thought since I was already at the hospital, I'd stop by." She answered.

I'd say she was an excellent actress but even then I couldn't help but notice the sadness in her voice. Who was she here to see?

"I'm so glad to see you are doing well. I hope I'll be able to see you soon," she added. She smiled and then walked out without another word.

I pushed away all negative thoughts. Maybe she was just here to see a close friend or something.

I didn't get the chance to overthink Layla's visit as my mother barged in. "Are you finally ready to go home?" Mom asked. Her voice was filled with excitement.

I nodded with a smile. The hospital food was better than I had expected but I wasn't going to miss this place.

"It's very kind of her to show up," she pointed towards the door. "Especially with everything happening to her son." She added with a sigh.

My brain was suddenly on full alert. "What happened?" I asked concerned.

Come to think of it, Layla acted strangely. She implied that she had been here to see someone. I hope it wasn't what I was thinking. I hope it was Tristan and her having a fallout or any else that might explain this. Just not that, not him.

I crossed my fingers as I waited for Mom to explain. I hoped he had left the country or something, even if it means I never see him again.

"You were going to find out about it anyways." She paused. "Tristan was in a terrible accident. Apparently, he was very drunk when he drove into a truck. He is in pretty bad shape, they don't know if he will make it." She explained.

My world crumbled down on me. I was first hit with the shock, then the realization that might never have to see him again.

I couldn't think straight. It wasn't like him to get drunk and drive. What could have led him to that? And suddenly all the words I said to him came back to bite me, all the things I didn't mean to say and those I should have said instead. It was all my fault and now he could be gone forever.

Mom looked at me sympathetically with a small smile.

"Where is he?" I asked. I could barely see as tears threatened.

"I'm not too sure, I think he is two doors down the hall." She answered.

Without another thought, I hurried out of the room and into the hallway.

Sure enough, I noticed the door Layla and her husband were standing in front of. Her husband seemed better than how Layla was doing, clueless even. I walked as quickly as I could and approached them.

Layla looked up at me with tears filling her eyes. "You probably shouldn't go in, I can't bare to see him like this." She sobbed. She then walked to her husband and cried into his arms.

I leaned on the door and peeked through to stare at Tristan's motionless body. My eyes were quickly whelmed in tears. I never wanted things to end this way.

Without thinking, I pushed open the door and walked in.

I collapsed into his chest, held onto him tightly and sobbed.

"Please just wake up and get back to me, I'll do anything. I love you." I whispered. I held onto him even tighter.

I wish I'd said this when he wasn't fighting for his life, there were so many things I would have loved to have done differently but now I can't take any of it back.

I suddenly froze as I felt a hand patting my head.

I looked up.

I blinked at Tristan who was staring back at me. For the first time, I saw clearly. Tristan wasn't covered in bandages or had wounds all over his face as I expected.

"It's okay, I'm alright." He answered.

I wiped away the tears, my vision becoming clearer. "You are not hurt?" I asked, finally realizing what had happened.

"No, but I will be if you continue squeezing me like that." He answered.

I assessed the situation as I composed myself.

My mother and Layla tricked me into this. Layla knew I'd never take her word for it so she put up an act and had my mother involved in it. After everything, I should have known not to trust her.

To confirm my suspicions, I heard a click at the door as it locked.

I wiped my cheeks. "Well, I hope you have a nice life. Don't do anything stupid or scare me like that again." I said standing up straight.

"I'm not okay. The doctors said it was serious. I might need open-heart surgery because you broke my heart," he said.

If he could still joke around, he was okay.

I turned to leave thinking through my options, it was not as if I could leave the room.

"Wait," Tristan stopped me. He grabbed my arm, I landed on the bed beside him pulling my arm away from him.

"Tristan..." I whispered settling beside him. He finally stopped.

"I thought about everything you said." He interrupted. "I'll keep fighting for you until you change your mind. And maybe it would be easier if I didn't love you but I do. There are probably a million things we need to figure out but I'm willing to bet on anything for you. just say yes." He continued.

"Why are you so sure that we'll even work out?" I asked.

"Because of my love for you and the way you look at me. Your eyes say a lot even when you don't. I know you feel it too. Let's fight against the odds together, as long as you are with me." He continued.

Although a lot of things could go wrong, I found something worth risking everything on.

I wrapped my arms around him. "I love you," I whispered.

"I know, you were just begging me to wake up, don't you remember?" He laughed. "I love you too," he whispered in my ear.

"If you weren't hurt, how did you end up here?" I asked instead.

"It's kinda embarrassing actually." He answered scratching the back of his head. "They were having a blood drive in the hospital, I decided to join considering how in demand O negative blood group is. There was only one flaw in that idea. I had forgotten how much I hated needles. I was nearly two minutes in when I fainted." He explained.

"You fainted from a needle?" I laughed.

"It was a very long needle. You would have been proud of me. The blood bag was just sitting there next to me. Besides, I have very low sugar and iron levels. Someone should fire those nurses for not checking first." He answered.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"You'll never believe the dream I just had. We had two children, twins. A boy and a girl. Our daughter looked just like you." He whispered.

"Were they disappointed to know their father was afraid of needles?" I interrupted.

"Just wait until I get to the best part of the story." He answered.

_________________________________________

A/N: Thank you so much for reading. I had about five different versions of how the story could have ended and I couldn't decide on any of it, I hope you like this one.

As always, please vote and comment down your thoughts.