I Was In A Coma!

Claire's POV

"Grandma?" I said softly, moving closer to sit beside her, ignoring the pain in my ankle. I took her hand gently. "Do you want me to peel an apple for you?"

Before she could answer, Nurse Julie stepped in. "Pardon, Miss. It's time for Old Madam to take her medicine and rest."

"Oh..." I mumbled, feeling awkward as Julie got everything ready. I tried to stay out of the way, knowing I was only here because of Grandma. If it weren't for her, I would have cut ties with the Kensingtons a long time ago. But in all the darkness, Grandma had always been my light, the only warmth in this cold family.

What hit me hardest today was hearing about Elijah and Lexi. They had always treated me kindly, welcoming me when no one else did. Every time I felt left out or treated unfairly, they were there to support me.

And now they were gone. I hadn't known, and it crushed me. How could Evander keep this from me? The anger and sadness built up inside me as I thought about all the moments Elijah and Lexi had been there for me, shielding me from the harshness of the family. They were more than just in-laws—they were my friends, my protectors.

As Grandma started to doze off after taking her medicine, I gently tucked the blanket around her. Guilt washed over me. I loved her, but being tied to this family felt like being trapped in a world of lies.

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. What else was Evander hiding from me?

Exhausted from everything that had happened, I drifted off into sleep the moment I closed my eyes. The next thing I felt was a gentle touch on my ankle. Groggy and disoriented, I blinked awake, only to see Evander on his knees in front of me, his focus entirely on my foot, which rested on his thigh.

"Evander!" I gasped in shock, pulling slightly away, but he held me in place with a steady, reassuring touch.

"Shh... it's okay," he murmured; his voice was calm. He was changing my bandage, his movements so careful and soft that I barely felt a thing. It was so out of character for him— the cold, distant Evander I knew seemed to have vanished, replaced by this man showing an unexpected tenderness.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, as if the apology carried a weight he couldn't quite bear. He finished wrapping the bandage and looked up at me, his eyes searching mine deeply, as though he was trying to find something.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked, in a low tone and full of concern. It was a stark contrast to the cold detachment I was used to.

I was stunned. His gaze was intense, but there was something vulnerable in it, something I hadn't seen before. For a second, I didn't know what to say. The man who had caused me so much pain was now kneeling before me, treating my wounds like he actually cared.

Was this all an act? I thought, my heart pounding in confusion. Or was there a part of him that really regretted everything?

I swallowed hard, trying to push back the storm of emotions rising inside me. "Why are you doing this, Evander?" I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why now?"

He didn't respond right away. Instead, he reached up, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face, his touch lingering for just a moment too long.

"I should've taken care of you a long time ago," he said softly, regretting his words. "But I didn't, and I can't change the past. All I can do now is try to make things right."

I wanted to believe him. I really did. But trust wasn't something I could give so easily, not after everything that had happened between us. Still, for the first time in a long time, I saw a glimpse of the man I once thought he could be, a man capable of kindness.

But was that enough to heal the wounds he'd caused?

I shifted away from him and glanced at Grandmother, still asleep, her frail chest rising and falling softly. "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Hm?" Evander sounded confused, though his eyes never left me. Even though I'd moved away, I could feel his gaze tracking my every movement, like he was afraid I might vanish.

"About brother Elijah and sister Lexi?" I repeated, my heart tightening at the thought of them.

Evander's face stiffened. He opened his mouth but then hesitated, as if the words were too heavy to say. "How did you..." he started, but then stopped mid-sentence. A deep breath escaped him, his shoulders sagging slightly as if carrying the weight of it all.

"Five years ago…" he began, his voice low, filled with an emotion I couldn't quite place. "The night of the jewelry launch…"

I blinked, confused. The jewelry launch? Wasn't that the same night he was with Susan? Why would he bring that up now?

"After the launch, we were in an accident," he continued, his voice breaking slightly. "I lost Elijah... and Lexi." He paused again, his words coming slower, each one sounded more painful than the last. "I barely survived."

I felt my breath hitch. Elijah and Lexi had died that night? And I had no idea?

"I was in a coma for a few weeks after." 

= = = = =

What do you think will happen now? Will Claire forgive him and go back to him?

a) She will forgive Evander?

b) She will try to understand him?

c) She will leave him once and for all?

Don't forget to comment and leave review! I will be waiting!