Maybe

Chapter 50 My fault

I woke up to the soft beeping of machines and the faint smell of antiseptic. My head felt heavy, and my body ached in ways I couldn't describe. Blinking slowly, I took in the white walls, the bright overhead light, and the thin hospital blanket draped over me.

I turned my head slightly and saw her-Mom. She was sitting in the chair by my bed, her face pale and drawn. The moment our eyes met, she was on her feet, rushing to my side.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" she asked, her voice soft but trembling.

I tried to sit up, but a dull pain in my chest stopped me. "I'm... okay, I think," I murmured, though my voice sounded weak, even to me.

Mom placed her hand on mine gently, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. "You scared me. Do you know how worried I was? What happened?"

The memories came rushing back-Daniel, the hands, the darkness. My chest tightened as I struggled to make sense of it all. "I... I don't know," I said, my voice shaking. "It happened so fast."

Mom squeezed my hand, her warmth grounding me. "It's okay," she said softly. "You're safe now. That's all that matters."

I nodded slightly, though questions still swirled in my mind. Why had Daniel done nothing? Who had taken me? And why? But for now, I leaned into Mom's presence, grateful to not be alone.

As I tried to gather my thoughts, a name slipped from my lips before I could stop it. "Ethan... is he okay?"

Mom's expression softened, though a hint of curiosity flickered in her eyes. She brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, speaking gently. "He's fine. Don't worry about him."

Relief washed over me, but it was quickly followed by confusion. Why did I even ask about him? And why was my heart beating faster hearing he was okay?

"He was here, you know," Mom added casually, sitting back down. "Stayed all night until the doctors said you were stable."

I blinked, taken aback. "He... stayed?"

She nodded, her lips curving into a small smile. "He was the one who brought you to the hospital. Made sure everything was taken care of. He didn't leave until I got here."

My chest tightened again, but this time it wasn't from pain. I looked away, unsure how to respond. Ethan? The same Ethan who could barely hold a proper conversation without teasing me?

Mom leaned closer, her smile growing. "You should thank him properly when you get the chance. He really cared, you know."

I tried to brush it off, my cheeks warming. "He was just being responsible."

But deep down, I couldn't ignore the flutter in my chest.

The doctor walked in, clipboard in hand, and gave me a kind smile. "Good to see you awake," he said, his voice steady. "You've been through quite a shock, but fortunately, there's nothing serious. Rest is all you need for now."

I nodded, murmuring a quiet "thank you" as he made a few notes on the clipboard and left the room.

Mom got up from her seat, brushing her hands on her skirt. "I'll go get you some food," she said, her tone laced with concern. "You need to eat something."

I watched her leave, the sound of her footsteps fading down the corridor. For the first time since waking up, I was alone, left to the quiet stillness of the hospital room.