The scent of disinfectant lingered in the air of the hospital as Jenn rushed through the long corridor, her heart racing faster than her footsteps. She stopped by the nurse's station, her voice trembling slightly.
"Please… where's Mr. Jeffrey's ward?"
The nurse looked up, checked her chart, and pointed down the hall. "Room 207."
Jenn nodded, barely whispering a thank-you before hurrying off. When she entered the room, Carlos was sitting beside Jeff's bed, his hands clasped tightly as if praying. He looked up sharply when he heard the door.
"Carlos," Jenn called softly.
He stood immediately. "He hasn't woken up," he said, his voice breaking.
Jenn moved closer, her eyes soft with worry. "Calm down, Carlos. He's going to wake up," she murmured. She leaned forward, brushed a strand of hair from Jeff's forehead, and gently kissed it. "You'll be fine, Jeffrey," she whispered.
As if her words reached him through the fog, Jeff's eyelids fluttered open.
Carlos gasped. "Jeff!" he cried, his voice echoing with relief as he rushed to his brother's side. Tears welled up as he hugged him carefully. "Why are you doing this to me, Jeff?"
"Calm down," Jenn said quickly, her voice low but firm. "He's still weak."
Jeff's hand trembled as he reached out, grasping hers. "Carlos…" he managed to whisper.
Jenn helped him sit up, placing a pillow behind his back. "Easy," she murmured.
"I'm sorry," Jenn said softly. "All of this—it's my fault."
Jeff shook his head weakly. "No, no… It's me. I caused it."
Carlos frowned, looking between them. "What are you two talking about?"
Jeff turned to his brother. "Carlos… I'm not leaving Alden," he said quietly. "Not yet."
Jenn blinked at the name. Alden?
Then she finally asked the question that had been burning inside her. "You and Alden… you were friends, right?"
Jeff hesitated, then nodded slowly.
"What really caused the fight between you two?" she asked.
Jeff looked away. "No. I can't tell you that."
Jenn's voice softened. "You love me, right?"
Jeff met her gaze, and his silence said enough. Then, with a faint smile, he whispered, "Yes, I do. And I'll tell you everything… when the time is right."
Jenn smiled faintly, brushing his hand before settling in beside him. She stayed by his bedside all night, watching over him until dawn.
⸻
Morning came with chaos.
At the station, Alden sat on a metal chair, wrists bound, his face bruised but defiant.
"Alden Gates," the officer said sternly, "your case is getting out of hand. Your Dad is on his way."
Alden's heart dropped. "No, please," he said quickly, panic flashing in his eyes. "I'll fix this myself—please."
But it was too late.
When Mr. Jules Gates finally appeared, the room fell silent. His presence was commanding—cold, sharp, and unforgiving.
"Dad," Alden whispered, his voice trembling, "I'm sorry."
His father didn't respond at first. Then, with a tone heavy as iron, he said, "You think 'sorry' fixes everything? You've become nothing but a disgrace."
"Please," Alden begged. "I'll change, I swear I'll change—"
"You've made promises before," Jules cut him off. His expression hardened. "Maybe if I kill you myself, I won't have to keep cleaning up your mess or you think I'm not aware whenever your Mom comes to bail you ."
"Dad, no—please!" Alden's voice cracked as two bodyguards stepped forward.
They hit him once, twice—pain rippling through him as he coughed and gasped for air.
"Stop!" a woman's voice screamed.
Leah Gates—Alden's mother—burst into the room, tears already streaming down her face. "What is this, Jules? You'll kill him!"
Jules turned to her coldly. "He's my son. I'll do what I want."
"He's our son," she spat, rushing to Alden. "Untie him, now!"
The guards hesitated, but at her glare, they obeyed. Leah helped her son up, holding him tightly as if afraid he'd break.
"Mom…" Alden rasped.
"Shh," she said softly. "You're okay now."
⸻
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Jeff urged Jenn to go home.
"They'll be looking for you," he said, still pale but smiling faintly.
"I don't want to leave you," she whispered.
"You have to," he insisted gently. "Carlos will drop you off."
During the car ride, Jenn kept stealing glances at Carlos, hoping he'd say something—anything—about Jeff and Alden. But he didn't. He simply stared ahead, silent, his jaw tight.
When they arrived at the Gates mansion, the atmosphere felt strange. Jenn stepped inside to find the family gathered around the dining table. Laughter mixed with tension. The only one missing was Alden.
At the far end of the table sat a young girl—perhaps eight years old—bright-eyed and curious.
Jenn approached quietly. "Good morning," she said.
Mrs. Gates looked up, her expression warm. "Jenn, dear. Come, join us."
Jenn hesitated but sat down. The little girl, Lucy, tilted her head curiously. "Mom," she said loudly, "who is she?"
Mrs. Gates smiled. "That's Jenn."
Lucy grinned. "Nice name! Is she Alden's girlfriend?"
Everyone froze.
Mrs. Gates laughed softly. "No, Lucy. She's Alden's nanny."
Lucy frowned. "Nanny? Oh… but why does she look sad when I said his name?"
Jenn's heart skipped. The table went silent.
Before anyone could answer, heavy footsteps echoed from the stairs. Alden descended slowly, his face pale but composed, his eyes locking instantly on Jenn.
He reached the bottom step, his voice low. "Oh, Lucy… there you are."
She giggled. "I wanted to come to your room, but Mom said you were resting."
He smiled faintly. "Good girl."
Then he turned to his father. "Dad."
Jules didn't look at him.
"Your son is talking to you," Leah said sharply.
"My son?" Jules scoffed. "Not if he refuses to change."
Alden swallowed hard. "Dad, I'm going to change."
"You will or you must?" Jules shot back.
Leah slammed her hand on the table. "Enough! I'm still angry at you for treating your child like this."
Jules turned on her. "And how should I treat him, Leah? You spoil them! You're the reason he's like this!"
Leah's eyes blazed. "The reason? You were never here, Jules! You left him when he was five, buried yourself in work, and now you want to play the perfect father?"
"Maybe I wouldn't have to if you raised them right!"
"Raised them right?" she echoed bitterly. "Do you even hear yourself?"
Then Jules shouted words that silenced everyone:
"Is he even my son?"
The table went still.
Leah's voice trembled. "You're disgusting, Jules. You were overjoyed when I told you I was pregnant. You pampered him. You gave him everything. And now—now he's not your son anymore?"
"Mom, Dad—please stop," Jovi said suddenly, standing. "This isn't the place."
Leah's tears fell silently. Alden sat frozen, staring at his plate before standing abruptly and walking away.
A single tear slid down his cheek as he climbed the stairs.
Minutes later, there was a knock on his door.
"Go away," he muttered weakly.
But the door creaked open. Jenn stepped inside, holding a small cup of water and his medicine.
"I'm sorry, Alden," she said softly.
He turned to her, eyes red. "Why?"
"You should take your medicine," she said quietly.
"Just get them away from me," he said, his voice breaking.
Jenn hesitated. "Please, Alden… you have to."
He stared at her for a long moment, then took the pills silently.
"Your eyes," she whispered, "they're red."
He looked away. Pretending to care, he thought bitterly, though deep down, something in him wished she truly did.
Without another word, he grabbed his jacket, opened the door, and disappeared into the cold morning.