His Lovable Klutz (Completed)

Segment Sixty-six.

♥ Do You Trust Me? ♥

      The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the living room as Coby descended the stairs. Her footsteps were light, but the faint sound of movement caught Stefan's attention as he stood by the front door, adjusting his coat. He was clearly in a rush, his expression tense and focused, but when Coby called out to him, he turned to face her.

      "Stefan?" Coby's voice was laced with confusion and concern. "When did you get home last night? I was waiting for you."

      Stefan glanced at his watch, then back at her, his face softening just a little. "It was past eleven," he replied, his tone clipped but not unkind. "Sorry I didn't wake you. It was late, and you looked like you needed the rest."

      Coby descended the last few steps, closing the distance between them. "What held you up so long?" she asked, her brows knitting together in worry. "I called you a few times, but you didn't answer."

      Stefan exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck as he shifted uncomfortably. "I didn't mean to worry you, but... there was an emergency. Tessa was in an accident. I had to go to the hospital."

      Coby's eyes widened in shock. "Tessa? Is she okay?"

      "She's stable now," Stefan said, his voice steady but distant. "Dr. Miller said she's out of danger, but she's still unconscious. I have to go back to the hospital this morning to check on her."

      Coby nodded slowly, processing the news. "That's... that's awful. I'm glad she's stable, though. But Stefan, you should have breakfast first. You can't rush off on an empty stomach."

      Stefan gave her a brief, distracted smile and leaned in to peck her forehead. The kiss was quick, almost perfunctory. "I can't wait, Coby," he murmured, already stepping toward the door. "I'll grab something on the way."

      Coby watched as he left, the door closing behind him with a soft click. The concern in her eyes deepened, her gaze looming on the door for a moment longer before she sighed and turned away.

      Stefan entered Tessa's hospital room with apprehension and dread, his mind still reeling from the news of her accident. As he stepped inside, his eyes were immediately drawn to Tessa, who was awake and sitting up in bed. Her face was pale, her eyes red and swollen from crying, and she looked fragile in a way that twisted Stefan's heart with a guilt he hadn't expected to feel. Sitting beside her, holding her hand, was his mother, Amanda, her expression with concern and tenderness. Dr. Miller stood on the other side of the bed, his demeanor professional but tinged with the gravity of the situation.

      "Stefan…" Tessa's voice was shaky as she called out to him, her tears threatening to spill over again. The vulnerability in her tone made Stefan pause, his usual stoic facade cracking slightly.

      "Tessa," he acknowledged, his voice controlled, before his gaze shifted to Amanda. "What are you doing here?"

      Amanda looked up at him, her expression weary. "I got a call about Tessa's accident, just like you did. I came as soon as I could."

      Stefan's eyes flicked back to Tessa, taking in her tear-streaked face and the way her hands trembled slightly. There was something different, something off in the room. Even Dr. Miller's normally composed face held a shadow of sadness.

      "What's going on?" Stefan demanded, his voice edged with an impatience born of worry. He didn't like not knowing, didn't like the unsettling feeling that had settled in his gut. He looked directly at Dr. Miller, who took a deep breath before speaking.

      "Mr. Reynolds," Dr. Miller began, his tone carefully measured. "Tessa has sustained significant injuries to her spine. We've stabilized her condition, but the trauma she suffered during the accident has caused severe damage. Specifically, the impact has resulted in a spinal cord injury. Unfortunately, this means that Tessa won't be able to walk on her own—at least not for the foreseeable future."

      The words hit Stefan like a punch to the gut, leaving him momentarily speechless. The cold, clinical reality of what Dr. Miller was saying began to sink in. Tessa, who had always been so full of life, so driven, was now facing a future where she might never walk again.

      Tessa couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She burst into sobs, her whole body trembling as the reality of her situation overwhelmed her.

      "I—I can't walk?" she cried out, her voice raw with fear and disbelief.

      Amanda immediately wrapped her arms around Tessa, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "Shh, it's going to be okay, Tessa,"  she soothed, stroking her hair. "We're here for you. We'll get through this together."

      Stefan's mind was racing, questions tumbling out of him as he turned back to Dr. Miller. "Isn't there something you can do? Surgery, therapy, anything? Will she ever walk again?"

      Dr. Miller nodded slowly, his expression serious. "There are treatment options, but the road ahead will be long and challenging. Physical therapy will be essential, as will ongoing medical care. There's a chance that, with time and the right treatment, Tessa could regain some mobility. But it's important to be realistic—there are no guarantees. The injury is severe, and we need to prepare for the possibility that she may never fully recover."

      Tessa's sobs intensified, her fear spilling over as she clung to Amanda. "I'm so scared,"  she whispered, her voice barely audible. "How am I going to tell my father? He's going to be devastated…"

      Stefan clenched his fists, trying to contain the surge of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. This wasn't supposed to happen. Despite everything, despite the distance he had tried to put between them, Tessa was someone he had cared about once. Seeing her like this, so broken and terrified, stirred something in him that he couldn't quite name.

      "I'll do whatever it takes to help," Stefan said firmly, looking directly at Dr. Miller. "Just tell me what needs to be done."

      Dr. Miller gave him a nod of appreciation. "The most important thing right now is to focus on her recovery. I'll put together a comprehensive plan for her care, including physical therapy and any other necessary treatments. We'll do everything we can to give Tessa the best possible outcome."

      With that, Dr. Miller excused himself, leaving the room quietly and closing the door behind him. The atmosphere in the room was thick with emotion, and for a moment, none of them spoke.

      Amanda finally broke the silence, her voice soft as she turned to Stefan. "How have you been, Stefan?"

      Stefan's expression hardened at the question, his emotions shutting down as he slipped back into the cold, distant persona he had perfected over the years.

      "Fine," he answered curtly, not meeting her gaze. He wasn't about to open up to her, not now, not after everything.

      Amanda sighed, clearly sensing his reluctance but choosing not to press the issue.

Stefan turned his attention back to Tessa. "I need to get back to work," he said, his tone businesslike. "I'll try to check in on you again this evening, Tessa."

      Tessa looked up at him, her eyes still glistening with tears, but she managed a small nod. "Okay… Thank you, Stefan."

      Without another word, Stefan turned and left the room, closing the door behind him with a sense of finality. He needed to get out of there, needed to put some distance between himself and the whirlwind of emotions that had been stirred up by seeing Tessa in such a state.