FLAWLESS

CHAPTER 41

Shanelle POV

As consciousness slowly seeped back into my mind, I found myself in an unfamiliar place. The sterile scent of disinfectant hung in the air, and the soft beeping of machines filled my ears. Blinking against the harsh fluorescent lights, I tried to make sense of my surroundings. It was a hospital room, that much I could gather from the sterile white walls and the medical equipment scattered about.

How the hell did I end up here?

A surge of confusion swept over me as I attempted to recall the events leading up to this moment. I strained my mind, searching for answers, but my memory was nothing more than a haze. Panic began to claw at the edges of my consciousness, but I fought against it, focusing on the present.

That's when I noticed Vincent.

He was fast asleep, his head leaning against his arm, propped on the chair's armrest. The sight of him there, by my side, provided a strange comfort. But it also deepened the curiosity. 

Why is he here? What happened?

I sat up straight, the hospital sheets slipping from my legs. Pain shot through me, reminding me that my body was not yet fully recovered. Ignoring the discomfort, I directed my attention back to Vincent, trying to shake him from his sleep.

Before I could reach out to wake him, the door swung open, and a nurse entered the room. She wore a kind smile, but her presence only added to my confusion. I met her gaze as she approached, her footsteps echoing softly against the linoleum floor.

"Oh, you're finally awake," she said, her voice a gentle reassurance.

I nodded, unable to find my voice in that moment. My eyes flitted between the nurse and Vincent, silently pleading for answers. 

How had I ended up in the hospital? And why was Vincent here?

The nurse moved closer to my bed, her eyes shifting to the IV drip hanging beside me. She checked the flow, her touch gentle and practiced. The beeping of the machines punctuated the silence between us, amplifying the weight of the unknown.

As the nurse continued her examination, her voice stirred Vincent from his sleep. He blinked, his gaze immediately finding mine. There was concern etched in his eyes, mirroring the questions that swirled within me. Without a word, he shifted closer in his seat near my bed.

The nurse finished her checks, satisfied with my condition. She smiled kindly at me before stepping back. 

"I'll have to call your family to let them know that you're awake," she said, turning to leave the room.

As the door closed behind her, the room was enveloped in silence once more. Vincent and I remained locked in a wordless exchange, uncertainty and relief mingling between us. We were alone now.

I mustered up a smile, grateful for his presence in this bewildering moment. Gathering my thoughts, I found the strength to speak, my voice fragile but determined.

 "Do you... do you know how long I've been in the hospital?"

He met my gaze with a gentle expression, his eyes filled with concern. 

"Two days," he replied, his voice tinged with regret. 

"You fainted during the fashion show, and I found you unconscious in the changing room. We rushed you to the hospital."

His words struck me like a lightning bolt, the realization of what had happened crashing over me. A sharp tug in my heart jolted me as I realized the consequences of my actions. I turned away from Vincent, desperate to hide the tears that welled up in my eyes. I didn't want him to see me crying because of how badly I had screwed up.

But he saw. Vincent quickly stood up from his chair and sat down beside me on the hospital bed, his hand reaching out to hold mine. 

"Hey, it's okay," he whispered, his voice filled with empathy. 

"Don't pressure yourself about it. Everyone makes mistakes, Shanelle. It's totally fine."

A scoff escaped my lips, laden with bitterness. 

"I almost died, Vincent," I muttered, my voice trembling. 

"How do you expect me to think that it's okay?"

His touch was soothing as he gently placed a hand on my face, his thumb wiping away a single tear that escaped down my cheek. 

"Look, you didn't know things would escalate this way. You thought you were doing something that would help you get better, and it did work, but you knew it didn't permanently last."

I turned away, my emotions swirling within me like a tempest. Another tear traced a path down my face, silently expressing my inner turmoil. Vincent reached out, his touch warm and comforting, as if to bridge the distance between us. His hand found mine, and I felt a surge of connection, a shared understanding.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

His face softened, his eyes filled with tenderness. 

"Why are you saying sorry?" he asked, his voice sincere.

Placing my other free hand on top of his, I looked into his eyes, searching for forgiveness. 

"I'm sorry for not listening to you, and I'm sorry for everything," I confessed, the weight of my words carrying the weight of my heart.

Vincent's expression transformed, a mixture of relief and compassion crossing his features. Without hesitation, he pulled me into his arms, enveloping me in a tight embrace. I clung to him, my body finding solace in his presence, finding solace in the love he offered so freely.

He kissed the top of my head gently, his touch like a feather brushing against my skin. With a gentle shift, I made room for him, allowing him to lie beside me on the hospital bed. We lay there together, intertwined in a tender embrace.

I nestled into the curve of his arms, my own arm draped over his chest, seeking comfort and safety. Vincent's touch became a soothing caress as he delicately stroked my hair, his gestures speaking volumes of his unwavering support and affection.

As I felt his touch and heard the steady rhythm of his breath, a sense of peace washed over me. In that moment, I surrendered to the embrace of forgiveness and love, finding solace in the understanding that mistakes were a part of being human.

And as I allowed myself to drift back into the realm of sleep, I held on tightly to the warmth of Vincent's presence, honestly thankful for having him by my side and for not giving up on me when I thought he had.