Lines We Cross

Chapter 30

Hospital - Day 3

Elizabeth's exhaustion was a palpable thing, clinging to her as she sat by YN's bedside, watching over her fitful rest.

The door opened softly, and Claudia stepped in, her presence always a reminder of the complex weave of personal and familial tensions surrounding YN. Elizabeth straightened, brushing weariness from her eyes as she prepared for another careful conversation.

"Claudia," Elizabeth greeted, managing a weary smile.

"Elizabeth," Claudia replied, her tone carrying a mix of forced politeness and genuine concern. She took a seat across from Elizabeth, her eyes briefly meeting Elizabeth's before settling on her daughter. After a moment, she spoke, her voice strained but composed. "I appreciate you being here, despite... everything."

Elizabeth acknowledged her words with a nod. "I love her," she stated simply, her voice firm with conviction, not seeking approval but declaring a fact.

Claudia sighed, looking back at YN. "I know. And right now, that's what matters. Alexander, however, is struggling not just with this situation but with the nature of your relationship with YN. He hasn't been here much. He's angry and feels guilty, more than he's willing to admit."

Elizabeth felt a chill at the mention of Alexander's anger. "Guilty?"

"He blames himself for the pressures we've put on her, yes, but... he's also looking for someone to blame for the accident. For her rebellion. He's not handling any of this well," Claudia explained, her gaze darkening with worry. "And he's particularly not pleased about you."

The weight of the situation settled heavier on Elizabeth's shoulders. "What does that mean for us—for YN and me?"

Claudia was silent for a long moment, her fingers twisting in her lap. "For now, nothing. We need to focus on her recovery. But my husband... he won't let this go. He's talking about ensuring there are... consequences at Yale. He's influential, Elizabeth, and angry enough to use that influence."

Elizabeth's heart sank, a knot of fear tightening in her gut. "I see."

Claudia stood, her expression softening slightly. "Go home for a bit. Shower, rest. I'll stay with her. You look like you could use a break."

The idea of leaving YN, even temporarily, tightened Elizabeth's chest with anxiety, but the exhaustion weighing on her body was becoming hard to ignore. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Claudia insisted, a firmness to her voice that brooked no argument. "You need to take care of yourself too, Elizabeth. For her."

Hesitantly, Elizabeth stood, her limbs stiff. She leaned over, pressing a soft kiss to YN's forehead. "I'll be back soon," she murmured, more a promise to herself than to the unconscious YN.

———

The quiet of Elizabeth's apartment was suffocating, filled with reminders of YN at every turn. Picking up YN's sweater from the back of a chair, she inhaled the familiar scent, tears stinging her eyes as the reality of the situation hit her anew. She clutched the sweater to her chest, allowing herself a moment to grieve, to fear, to rage against the injustice of it all.

After a shower that did little to wash away the heaviness of her heart, she looked at herself in the mirror—eyes red, features drawn. She hardly recognized the woman staring back at her.

With a deep breath, she gathered her resolve and returned to the hospital, YN's sweater folded neatly in her bag, a tangible piece of her love to bring back to her side.

———

The hospital corridors felt colder, more foreboding than Elizabeth remembered as she made her way back to YN's room. Each step was heavy, laden with a mix of dread and determination. She rounded the corner, her heart momentarily caught in her throat when she didn't immediately see YN in her usual spot.

Claudia, who was standing by the window, turned at the sound of Elizabeth's approach. Seeing the worry etch across Elizabeth's face, she quickly stepped forward, a reassuring hand extended in a calming gesture.

"She's not here right now," Claudia said softly, intercepting the panic before it could fully take hold. "They took her for another scan—just routine, to monitor the swelling. She should be back any minute."

Elizabeth exhaled a shaky breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her knees weak with both relief and residual fear. "Thank you, I— I should have expected that."

"It's alright," Claudia replied, her voice more gentle than before. "It's easy to feel on edge, given everything that's happened. I'll stay until she's back, then I'll leave you two alone."

Grateful for the brief moment of understanding, Elizabeth nodded, taking a seat in the now-familiar chair beside the empty bed. The wait was torturous, each minute stretching long and thin, filled with the echoes of hospital noises—distant pages, the soft beep of monitors from other rooms, the muffled steps of busy staff.

When the door finally opened and YN was wheeled back into the room, Elizabeth felt a surge of something that was both relief and renewed worry. The technicians gave her a nod and a brief update—stable and unchanged—before leaving.

Claudia touched Elizabeth's shoulder lightly. "I'll leave you two. Call me if there's any change, or if you just need a break," she offered, then quietly left the room, giving Elizabeth the space to reunite with YN.

Elizabeth moved closer, taking YN's hand once more, watching for any sign of consciousness. "I'm here, love," she whispered, leaning in close. "You're back, and I'm right here."

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