FLAWLESS

CHAPTER 40

Vincent POV

I paced back and forth along the sterile hospital hallway, my eyes fixated on the closed glass double doors that separated me from Shanelle. The heavy curtains drawn on the inside concealed her from view, leaving me anxious and restless. The muffled sounds of nurses and doctors working behind those doors only heightened my unease.

I couldn't bring myself to sit down. Every fiber of my being yearned for the doctor to emerge and deliver some news, any news, about Shanelle's condition. My mind raced with countless possibilities, each one more worrisome than the last. The mere thought of something being seriously wrong with her sent shivers down my spine.

Beside me, Shelby sat on a plastic chair, her expression void of any visible emotion. Arms folded, legs crossed, she stared straight ahead without uttering a single word. It was as if she had built an impenetrable wall around herself, shielding her emotions from the turmoil unfolding before us. I couldn't help but admire her strength, even if her stoicism made it difficult to gauge her true feelings.

Suddenly, the echo of loud footsteps reverberated through the hallway, breaking the uneasy silence. I turned to look and saw Shanelle's parents hurrying toward us, accompanied by a girl and a guy I didn't recognize. Worry lines etched deeply on their faces, they looked exhausted yet determined.

Shelby's parents settled down next to her, concern etched on their features. 

"Have you heard anything from the doctor yet?" Shanelle's mother asked, her voice tinged with desperation.

Shelby shook her head. 

"Not yet," she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her mother sighed and remained seated, holding Shelby's hand tightly. It was clear that the weight of the situation was taking its toll on all of us. Meanwhile, Shanelle's father walked closer to the closed double doors, his hands buried deep in his pockets. His brows furrowed, his face a mask of worry, he seemed lost in his own thoughts.

I leaned against the wall, head down, hands stuffed in my pockets. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, drowning out the sounds of the bustling hospital. Every tick of the clock felt like an eternity, stretching the minutes into an agonizing haze. Time seemed to stand still, as if mocking my desperate desire for answers.

Lost in my thoughts, a sudden touch on my arm startled me. I looked up and saw a young woman, the same one Shanelle's parents had arrived with. She stood before me, her eyes filled with warmth, and a gentle smile played on her lips. 

"Hi, I'm Shay," she introduced herself. "Shanelle's sister."

I shook Shay's hand with a nod, taken aback by her friendly demeanor. Shanelle had mentioned having another sister, but I hadn't expected to meet her under such circumstances. Shay remained standing in front of me, her gaze fixed on my face. 

"You must be Vincent," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and gratitude. 

"Shanelle had told me about you."

I managed a tight-lipped smile, my emotions swirling inside. It was bittersweet to know that Shanelle had spoken of me to her sister, but I couldn't help but wonder what she had said. Shay seemed sincere, her eyes holding a genuine appreciation for my presence. Yet, my mind remained occupied with worry for Shanelle.

Just then, another person approached from behind Shay. He wrapped his arm around her waist, a protective gesture that spoke volumes. Shay turned towards him, and I could see the love and happiness that radiated between them. 

"Vincent, this is my fiancé, Jason," Shay introduced, her voice filled with affection.

I extended my hand towards Jason,and he reciprocated with a firm handshake. He wore a similar tight-lipped smile to mine, acknowledging the connection we shared through Shanelle. In that moment, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unity, knowing we were all here for the same reason.

The minutes ticked by like hours as we waited for what felt like an eternity. The hospital hallway seemed to close in around us, suffocating with anticipation.  I leaned against the wall, exchanging glances of concern with Shelby from across the room. We knew we had to be patient, but the waiting was unbearable.

Finally, the doors swung open, and the doctor emerged from Shanelle's room. He approached Shanelle's parents, their faces etched with worry and hope. I pushed myself off the wall and took a few steps closer, yearning to hear what the doctor had to say.

"She's stable."  He stated and almost everyone released a sigh of relief. 

"We found traces of drugs in her system. She had nearly overdosed. It's a miracle she's still with us."

Relief washed over me, mingling with guilt. I knew deep down that this could happen, that Shanelle was spiraling out of control, but it didn't make it any easier to bear. I clenched my fists tightly, trying to push away the overwhelming sense of responsibility.

"But," the doctor continued, his tone softening. 

"She will be alright. We'll need to keep her in the hospital for a few days to monitor her health. She's still having trouble breathing on her own."

Shanelle's parents nodded, tears visible in their eyes. Shay buried her face in her fiancé's chest muffling her sobs.

The weight of the situation hung heavily in the air, threatening to suffocate us all.

After delivering his news, the doctor excused himself and left us to process. Shanelle's parents retreated to a corner, engrossed in a private conversation, while Shelby talks to Shay and Jason.

Unable to stand still, I wandered back towards the doors of the room. I peered in and saw Shanelle lying on the hospital bed, her eyes closed and vulnerable. A breathing mask covered her face, and a nurse gently tended to her.

A mix of emotions churned inside me as I gazed at her motionless form. Anger, fear, and love collided within my chest. Anger at Shanelle for not listening to our warnings, for putting herself in this position. Fear of losing her forever, of never being able to save her from herself. And above all, an overwhelming love that made my heart ache.

I made a silent vow to myself, staring at her still face. The minute she woke up, I would never leave her side again. I am willing to be her rock and someone she would turn to for protection. I would ensure that she never touched those pills again, as long as I remained by her side.

The minutes turned into hours as I stood there, lost in my thoughts. The sound of beeping machines and hushed conversations filled the room. It was in this moment that I truly understood the depth of my feelings for Shanelle.

She was more than just someone I met through a mission and someone I had liked. She was a part of me, woven into the very fabric of my being. And in that realization, I knew that I would do anything to help her heal, to guide her back to a life worth living.

As the night wore on, and the world outside the hospital room seemed to fade away, I held onto that promise tightly. The road to recovery would be long and challenging, but I was ready to face it head-on. For our future together.