Hospital Waiting Lounge
The double doors opened slowly and everyone turned at once, the doctor stepped in, pulling off his gloves. His face was calm.
"He's stable now," he said.
Everyone gasped in relief, You could almost hear the tension drop immediately.
"He's still unconscious, but his vitals are holding. We'll keep monitoring him closely," the doctor added.
"Can we see him now?" Maya asked quickly before anyone could.
"Yes doctor, can we"? Mrs. Vale said.
"Only one person at a time for now. He needs rest."
"Go on honey, we'll wait here" Mr Vale said to his wife and she left with Maya.
Jenna stood up immediately clutching her bag to herself.
"I'll be back," she said. " I need to grab a few things for Ethan."
"You sure you won't wait for your mother?" her father asked.
She nodded. "I won't take long."
Jenna parked in front of the supermarket, She walked in went to the fruit stall grabbing a pack of apples, some bananas, grapes, just whatever looked fresh. Then she stood at the counter, paid and walked out.
Lara's Apartment
The security recognized Jenna immediately she parked outside. They made a call upstairs and after a moment, he nodded and let her in "You can go up miss Vale"
The building was too quiet for Jenna, classy but odd her hands clutched to the mart bag tighter. Jenna stood in front of Lara's door for a second before knocking, the door opened almost immediately.
Lara stood still in a plain oversized shirt, she had no makeup on, and her eyes looked dull. She didn't utter a word, just nodded and stepped aside.
Jenna walked in, glancing around the clean, quiet apartment, It felt sterile like a place someone stayed in, not lived in.
"You look like you've barely slept," Jenna said gently.
Lara didn't respond, she walked to the couch and sat down slowly, her face unreadable.
Jenna set the plastic bag on the table. "I picked up some fruits. You should eat something."
Lara looked at the bag, then at Jenna her expression didn't change.
"You didn't come all the way here to offer me some fruits now did you Jenna," Lara said.
"No, I didn't." Jenna sighed. "I came because I wanted to talk and maybe… just say a few things that I should've said a long time ago."
Lara sat still, her arms crossed loosely.
"I'm not here to pick sides, I'm not here to pretend I know everything that happened between you and Ethan," Jenna continued. "But I know what I saw and I know what I felt. I saw my brother walk away from the one person he never stopped looking at like she was the only person in the room. But he was foolish enough to let you go"
She paused, watching Lara for a reaction.
Lara just looked at her, her eyes were too tired, but wasn't that of anger or resentment".
"I know what he did was unforgivable," Jenna said softly. "I'm not here to excuse it. I just... I wanted to say I'm sorry.... on his behalf. He may never know how to say it himself, but I need you to hear it from someone."
Lara lowered her gaze for a moment, she still didn't say a word.
Jenna leaned forward a little, searching her face. "Say something, Lara please."
Lara's eyes met hers, she only blinked and looked away.
Jenna exhaled slowly, her voice gentler now. "You really loved him, didn't you?"
Lara looked away. Jenna leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "I know how things must look right now and I know he's made... a mess. But Ethan's not evil, Lara. He's just... broken. And stupid sometimes."
Lara's voice was low. "You came here to defend him?"
"No. I came here because even if you hate him, even if you hate me too, I still respect you enough to say this face to face. I'm sorry, I'm sorry for how everything turned out."
Lara looked away, blinking slowly then her voice slowly came. "He left me at the altar, Jenna."
"I know."
"He walked away like I was nothing. Like everything we were meant nothing."
"I know," Jenna whispered. "I was there, remember?"
"And you did nothing, look....
She said standing up. "I'm fed up of everyone that keeps reminding me what happened. Jenna if you were the one to be in my shoes that day, your parents will never take it lightly but everyone kept mute, even my own parents. I was made a mockery in front of thousands of people and in front of the fucking media, Ethan or your parents could have told me discretly but no!! Lara had to be humiliated ".
"Look, I don't care what sort of sympathy you're trying to fake now, but keep it. That could have been useful three months ago" Lara added.
"Lara, I'm sorry, we're sorry. I wished Ethan could tell you why he had to do that but I'm not in the position to do so. I just need you to know I was never part of it. I love and care about you and so does Ethan ".
"Deep down we know you're a good person and you're not like your sister Maya. She might have everyone fooled but definitely not me. Look, you donated blood to Ethan even with everything he's done to you, that's unconditional love"
Lara gave a weak smile. "You're annoying."
"I've been told," Jenna said.
"Lemme guess the nurse told you"? She asked.
"They're easily bribed you know " Jenna said.
"I've been told" Lara replied and Jenna smiled.
"How's Ethan"? She asked.
"He's stable, thanks to you. But he hasn't woken up yet, you should come see him".
"No, I can't ".
"Why not? You're the reason he's still alive"
Jenna replied.
"Who else knows about this"?
"No one, just you and I " she replied.
"Good don't tell anyone. I don't need anyone sympathy". Lara said heading to the counter to pour herself some water.
"I can offer to watch him tonight and sneak you in afterwards " Jenna said suddenly.
"What "?
"Common you have to see him, I know you want to".