Eclipsed Secrets // Jasper Hale

After the Impact

The hospital lights were too bright.

Everything looked washed out — white walls, white sheets, white floors reflecting the overhead glare. The sharp smell of antiseptic hung in the air, thick and clinical.

Althea stood near the far end of the hallway outside the treatment room, leaning lightly against the wall. She could hear everything through the door without trying.

Tyler's voice cracked again.
"I didn't see her. I swear, I didn't see her. The van just— it slid. I hit the brakes and it just kept going."

Inside, there was the soft rustle of paper sheets and Bella's quieter reply. "Tyler, it's fine. Really. I'm okay."

Tyler looked anything but okay. Through the small window in the door, Althea could see him — pale, shaking, a small cut above his eyebrow already bruising dark. Bella, meanwhile, had nothing more than a small bandage taped to her temple.

Edward stood a few feet from the hospital bed. Still. Perfect. Not even his hair was out of place.

Rosalie exhaled softly beside Althea. "He's going to confess to manslaughter at this rate."

Althea didn't smile, but her lips twitched faintly. "Guilt looks dramatic on him."

The door opened then and Dr. Carlisle Cullen stepped out, gently pulling it mostly closed behind him.

"She's fine," he said quietly. Professional. Calm. "A minor concussion. No internal injuries."

Rosalie nodded once. "Good."

Carlisle's eyes moved to Althea. Not questioning — assessing. Making sure everything was contained.

"It's handled," she said softly.

He studied her for half a second longer, then returned to the room.

Inside, Tyler started apologizing again.

Althea shifted her weight. She didn't want to be in there. Didn't want to stand beside Bella and pretend concern she didn't fully feel. Not when irritation simmered low under her skin.

A few minutes later, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.

"Bella!"

Charlie Swan rushed past them without slowing. He nearly knocked into a nurse on his way inside.

Althea heard his voice instantly soften. "Bells? Hey. You okay?"

"I'm fine, Dad."

"You don't look fine."

"I promise."

There was a long pause. Then Charlie's quieter, more awkward tone. "That Cullen kid get hurt?"

"No," Bella said.

Rosalie's jaw tightened slightly.

The door opened again.

Edward stepped out first.

His expression was controlled, but Althea knew him well enough to see the tension in his shoulders.

Bella followed him into the hallway.

Althea and Rosalie didn't move closer — but they didn't walk away either.

"Edward," Bella said, lowering her voice, though not enough.

He stopped, not turning fully toward her. "What?"

"You were across the parking lot."

He blinked once. "No, I wasn't."

"Yes, you were. I saw you."