𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙎𝙏𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙎, 𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩

𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣

You look up from the card in your hand, feeling a mix of relief and dread at the doctor's arrival. "Yes, we're here for Lou," you reply, tucking the card into your pocket before giving the doctor your full attention.

The doctor nods, his expression professional but compassionate. "I'm Dr. Kingston. Lou has been stabilized, but she's sustained a shattered clavicle and a sprained ankle from the accident," he explains, his voice calm as he delivers the news. "We've set her clavicle and put her ankle in a brace. She's currently resting and will need to be monitored over the next couple of days. There will also be an extensive amount of physical therapy for her shoulder and some for her ankle. This will be a process, but I have hope that we can get Lou back on her feet soon."

"Can we see her?" you asked, your voice softer than you intended. You were shocked, to say the least, at your words, and you weren't the only one.

Dr. Kingston hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, but I must warn you, she's still quite groggy from the pain medications and anesthesia."

You followed the doctor down the corridor, with Rose and Debbie trailing behind. When you reached Lou's room, you took a deep breath before entering. Lou was lying in the hospital bed, her eyes closed. She looked slightly paler than usual, and there were bandages wrapped around her shoulder and ankle. You couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her. "Hey," you said softly, taking a seat by her bedside.

Lou's eyes fluttered open, and she looked at you, her expression dazed. "Hey," she replied, her voice hoarse, just like her morning voice.

"How are you feeling?" you nervously/awkwardly inquired. 

Lou winced slightly. "Best I've ever been," she said, attempting a weak smile.

You glanced at Rose and Debbie, who were standing awkwardly by the door. "We'll give you guys a moment," Rose said, gesturing for Debbie to follow her out of the room. Alone with Lou, you didn't know what to say. You didn't know if you should even be here, speaking to her—or at the hospital.

"I'm sorry," Lou said suddenly, breaking the silence. "For everything."

You sighed, running a hand through your hair. "Lou..." you whisper, shaking your head. "How am I supposed to forgive you?"

Lou looked at you, her baby blue eyes filled with regret. "I don't know if you can," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I messed up, (y/n). I messed up big time."

You couldn't deny the truth in her words. The pain and betrayal still felt fresh despite the time that had passed since you discovered her affair. "You hurt me, Lou," you said quietly, feeling a lump form in your throat. "I loved you, and you threw it all away."

Tears welled up in Lou's eyes, and she slowly reached over to your hand again. "I know, and I hate myself for it," she said, trembling. "I never meant to hurt you. I was selfish, and I made a mistake."

"A mistake?" you repeated bitterly, moving your hand away from hers. "Sleeping with someone else while I was in jail, serving time for something I didn't do? That's more than just a mistake, Lou. That's a betrayal."

Lou hung her head, unable to meet your gaze. "I know," she whispered. "And I'll spend the rest of my life regretting it. I'll never forgive myself, and you are right to hate me for it."

You wanted to be angry, to lash out at her for the pain she had caused you, but seeing her lying there, vulnerable and injured, softened your heart. "I could never hate you, Lou," you manage to whisper to the blonde, blinking through the tears threatening to spill. "You saved me from... so much. You were the first person ever to make me feel worthy of love. That type of love and connection doesn't go away."