Chapter 169 Conscience
Brad held me tight, his cheek pressed against my forehead. He grabbed my right hand and put it on his chest, his voice all choked up. "You scared the crap outta me. From now on, no more solo missions. Whatever it is, leave it to me. Just stick by my side."
Brad's mood swings were giving me whiplash.
I mumbled an agreement, then snuggled into his arms, listening to his steady heartbeat. It was like a wave of calm washed over me.
Brad kept kissing my forehead, placing my hand on his face, and we just soaked in each other's warmth.
In that moment, time felt like it hit pause.
Outside the hospital room, Ronan asked Helen why she wasn't going in.
Helen stopped Ronan and told him to chill outside a bit longer, saying she didn't have the guts to come in.
I was so embarrassed I wanted to disappear into the bed, but Brad playfully wouldn't let me.
On the fourth day in the hospital, the doc said I could get out of bed and move around a bit, as long as I didn't overdo it.
The second my feet hit the ground, I felt pure bliss just walking on my own.
That morning, before Brad showed up, I asked Ronan and Helen to take me to see Daniel.
When we got to the ICU, it was chaos. Brad was helping the nurses move Daniel to a regular room. When he saw me standing there, he looked surprised, then gave me a faint smile.
To reassure him, I let go of Helen's hand and waddled a few steps like a little duck, making Brad's smile grow wider.
Emma was off to the side, leaning on Hugh.
In just a few days, Emma looked like she'd been through the wringer, way thinner with messy hair.
Helen hesitated a bit, then walked over to comfort her. "Emma, Daniel's gonna get better."
"I know." Emma forced a smile, her eyes briefly landing on me before she said, "These past few days, Daniel's needed constant care, and I haven't had time to check on Jane. How are you, Jane? You okay?"
I stepped up and stood in front of Emma, bowing sincerely. "I'm sorry, Emma. Daniel got hurt saving me."
At times like this, words felt pointless, and even this late apology seemed meaningless.
But I had to say it.
"It's not your fault. Brad told me you were in a car accident while getting medicine for him." Emma looked out the window with red eyes, and I noticed the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes had deepened. "This is all part of God's plan, not something we can change."
Daniel was wheeled out by the nurse.
His eyes were closed, lying there silently, his face as pale as a ghost, lips colorless, and the outline of bones visible under the skin of his exposed shoulder.
Except for that breath, he looked like a dead person, showing no signs of life.
It was because of me that he suffered so much.
My tears started flowing uncontrollably.
Brad walked past me, holding my hand, and led me to the ward.
When Brad and Hugh lifted Daniel onto the bed, I saw all the cuts and bruises on his body.
My tears just kept coming, and Helen, who was right behind me, had red eyes too.
Emma turned to comfort Helen, saying it was Daniel's choice and no one was to blame, telling us not to overthink it. Luckily, there was no life-threatening danger, and now she just hoped he'd wake up soon.
Hearing this, Helen felt even more guilty, looking at the peacefully sleeping Daniel with so much tenderness. Daniel and I were practically raised together, and Helen's concern for him was real.
Brad didn't say much, just kept telling me not to cry, assuring me that everything would be alright.
Brad had taken a leave of absence for me from school.
My coursework was intense, my competition piece still unfinished, and I had promised Larry to prepare for two classes, all of which needed my attention.
But my physical condition didn't allow it, and the guilt and fear led to chaotic emotions that made it even more impossible.
Brad understood my situation and didn't want me to stress, so he just took a leave of absence for me.
Larry, knowing about my car accident, even came to see me once, feeling relieved and comforting me that the driver had been considerate enough to leave my right hand unharmed.
From that day on, I would visit Daniel whenever I had free time, helping with whatever I could.
Brad tried to persuade me to rest and not run back and forth, saying it pained him to see me like this.
I didn't agree.
Setting aside past grievances, Daniel had saved my life, and I couldn't just watch him suffer without doing anything; that would be too much for my conscience.
Eventually, Brad stopped trying to persuade me, just standing silently by my side as I massaged Daniel.
My injuries healed quickly, and I let Ronan and Helen go back to their busy lives. Mindy came to take care of me after her classes every day.
One day, Mindy couldn't come because of an urgent matter at home. I told her to go ahead and that I could manage on my own.
After dinner, with nothing to do, I wandered around the hallway, exploring, and found a quiet little corridor with a view of the outside.
I stood there, admiring the trees washed by the rain, with faint yellow buds sprouting, tender and lovely.
Everything was so beautifully real.
Suddenly, I was enveloped in a warm embrace, the fresh scent that made me feel at ease filling my nose.
"Brad." I leaned back into his embrace, calling him softly.
He responded, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear and gently pinching my earlobe, his voice hoarse. "How did you end up here? I was looking for you for a while."
Since Daniel's accident, Brad and I hadn't had much time alone together.
"I was getting bored in the ward, so I came out for some fresh air. Brad, you should cut down on smoking and eat better; you've lost weight again these past few days."
I reached back to wrap my arms around his waist, pressing myself against him.
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