The truth

We just couldn't see that sweet, lill and always jumping and energetic creature laying still like this !

She is just laying there on the hospital bed.

It just reminds me of the night we first met her. She was laying just like this back then...

But she wasn't THIS hurt !

We didn't had to pray god to let her open her eyes before tomorrow morning.

Cole and Jules had already gave up on their brains the moment she got shot !

I had maintained myself a bit for Derek, but when the doctor said she might go in coma...

My last brain cells have stopped working and my eyes took over the job of letting out the saturated salt water within my body and trying to drain me !

I must admit, the world haven't lost all nice people.

For example, Pavel !

He is ready to take the blame for shooting Michael in the head out of self defence and fear of losing his beloved step daughter; he doesn't even know personally !

Evan and Paula said the situation they created, would definitely get Pavel out of it just like that.

And moreover Derek have a lawyer friend here...

Not just any lawyer, but the best lawyer in Russia.

I don't know how, but he is friends with half of the world !

And fortunately, he is friends with Paula and Evan too, so we don't need to much worry about Pavel's charges.

Hardly he'd get a punishment of few weeks in jail and nothing much and that too so that, he wouldn't do such kind of act even in self defence !

I am a lawyer too and whether it's Greenland or Russia, I know this much that, with 6 eye witnesses and perfectly woven and absolutely believable story; it isn't hard to prove Michael guilty.

And moreover if, the jury demands the proof that he was trying to hurt Ash even in Greenland, we have all the proofs ready and can get them here through fax !

Pavel have solved our major problem, by saving our Cop !

Because even if, he had said that he did that in self defence and to save an innocent civilian; he is a Cop and they are trained to act sane no matter how worst the situation becomes !

It wasn't possible to save Cole form this...

But Pavel !

God had sent him as an angel in this situation.

We are sitting here from the morning and waiting for Ash to respond to the treatment and open her eyes already !

The nurse informed us that, they were taking Derek's blood for her and we too gave our blood for testing, but neither of our blood matches her blood group.

Derek and Ash have the same blood group, B+. Cole and I have A+ and Jules AB+ !

So, neither of us can give our blood to save our life, by saving her's !

She has become our life and this incidence today is the proof of it that, neither of us loves her less than the others !

They transfused Derek's blood into her body a few hours earlier and we are desperately waiting for some miracle to happen and our Ash to open her eyes.

It's enough now, I really can't see her like this.

I want her open her eyes and give me her cute innocent and warm smile !

" Excuse me, mister. "

The nurse came to us.

" Yes, sister.

What happened ?

Is she alright ?

Is something wrong ? "

Cole asked impatiently.

" No, no.

She is alright and she even gained herconsciousness ! "

Nurse said.

" What ?

Are you sure ? "

I said as if I wasn't sure I heard her right.

" Ofcourse, why would I lie ?

And moreover, the doctors said she is out of danger now.

There is no way now she would go in coma. "

Nurse said.

I couldn't control my emotions and I hugged her tight.

" Thankyou so much sister.

You don't know how relieved I am feeling right now.

If, there is anything I can do for you, just let me know... "

I said still hugging her.

" Um... "

Nurse the nurse mumbled.

" Lauren, let her go ! "

Jules said pulling my arms.

" Oh, I am so sorry sister !

I was just so happy that...

I am so sorry... "

I apologized her.

" It's alright, no need to apologise.

I can understand your feelings. "

Nurse said with a smile.

" Sister, can we meet her ? "

Jules said.

He asked exactly the same thing I was about to ask her

" Um...

I am afraid, you can't !

Doctors said, she just passed the chance of going in coma, so much let her rest.

She just opened her eyes, she can catch an infection if, come in contact with other people. "

Nurse said.

" We can understand, sister.

Thankyou so much. "

I said and she left.

We looked at eachothers and tears rolled off our eyes; except this time they were happy tears !

We hugged eachothers for a long time.

And after listening she is alright, my lawyer brain started working.

I need to see Mrs. Rachel Grayson !

We left to meet her.

She was in waiting room grabbing her coffee, which now turned into a cold one.

She didn't had a single sip out of her cup.

Pavel had his arm around her shoulder and she was leaning against his arm.

We went to her.

" Mrs. Grayson, we need to talk to you. "

I said.

" I don't want to...

I am not..."

Rachel said weakly.

" Ash gained her consciousness and she is out of danger now, don't worry about her. "

Cole told her.

" What ?

When ?

Nobody told me !

I need to see her and... "

Rachel said eagerly.

" You can't ! "

Jules said what the nurse told us, but he didn't told her the complete situation.

" Who the hell are you to stop me from seeing my own daughter ? "

Rachel yelled.

" Don't take him wrong, Mrs. Grayson.

The doctors aren't allowing anyone to meet her right now.

She might catch infection !

It's for her safety, we didn't meant to offend you. "

I explained her the situation.

" Oh...

Ok.

And how many times I have to tell you, it's Mrs. Petrov and not Mrs. Grayson ! "

Rachel said clenching her teeth.

" I am Lauren Baker, Mrs. Rachel Grayson.

I am lawyer of your daughter.

I need you to help us for punishing the man, who put your daughter through a hell along with you."

I said professionally.

" What are you talking about ?

Which man now ?

Michael is dead, isn't he ?

Or he... "

Rachel said thinking Michael was alive.

" No, no Mrs. Grayson... "

I said trying to tell her something; but she got a very big issue than that !

" Mrs. Petrov ! "

Rachel yelled.

" That's the woman who you are NOW, but I need Mrs. GRAYSON to help me in this.

Because mother of miss. Ashley Grayson is, Rachel Grayson and not Arina Petrov ! "

Jules said calmly.

" What does that even mean ?

What are you talking ? "

Rachel said.

" Don't you want Mr. Alex Grayson to be punished too for abusing you for your whole life ?

Keeping you from meeting your own daughter ? Hurting you to get divorce ?

To let his son rape his daughter again and again and again, even after knowing that they were half siblings and not step siblings ?

Don't you want your daughter to get justice ? "

I said.

She was looking surprised as well as angry.

And her face told me that, she was ready to do it, but something was bothering her.

" Nothing like that ever happened as you are saying ! "

Rachel said looking away.

" What ?

Are you high ?

Did you smoked weed or something ?

What are you saying ? "

Cole yelled loosing his temper as she denied what happened.

" Mind your tongue and own business Mr. Whoever you are !

It's between me and my daughter what to do about anything happened or happens in our lives !

It's none of your goddam business ! "

Rachel snapped at him.

" It IS our goddam business !

What kind of a mother you are ?

You are denying that, your ex husband treated you like a shit and let your step son rape your own daughter repeatedly ?

And you think that's OK ?

You don't love your daughter who put her life in danger just to save yours ?

The daughter who desperately wanted to find you so that, she can get you medical help, when she too was badly hurt ? "

I yelled at her forgetting that, she is elder than me or we were in a hospital or anything else in the world.

" Stop it..."

Rachel yelled covering her ears.

She was crying and shaking.

Whether from anger or embarrassment god knows !

" Why stop it ?

Are you ashamed of yourself now ?

You can't listen what you let happen to your daughter ?

You don't care about her, you don't love her and that's why you left her there at the mercy of your selfish husband and disgusting step son ! "

Cole yelled coldly.

" Shut up...

It's no true ! "

Rachel said crying.

" Um...

Guys you... "

Pavel said trying to get up stop accusing her.

" Mr. Petrov, we respect you for what you did; doesn't matter for her or Ash or for anyone else ! But that doesn't mean, we would let you interfere in this matter !

Only we know what Ash has been through !

We've seen her suffer, we've seen her having nightmares of Michael hurting her Mom and her !

We've seen her crying over her missing mother who doesn't even care what her daughter had been through and enjoying her life here as a new person, as if yesterday never happened ! "

Jules said calmly.

" For the last time I am saying, just stop it ! "

Rachel said coldly.

" No, we WON'T stop !

Why SHOULD we stop ?

We aren't saying anything inappropriate.

You are such a selfish person.

I've never seen anyone this selfish !

You don't deserve her !

You know what, she should have left you there to die at Michael's mercy !

She shouldn't have put her life at risk to save your selfish ass who left her there to get abused by that bastard and chill here with... "

Fuck !

I can't hear anything.

Did she just...

She slapped me hard in the face !

" Shut the fuck up ! "

Rachel screamed her lungs out.

She was shaking...

Definitely with anger now !

Her voice was cracking while talking...

More appropriate word would be, screaming her lungs out just like we did !

Her breathing became fast and shallow.

She was shaking so much, Pavel placed his hand around her.

Tears were rolling off her eyes.

" I said, shut the fuck up !

I am not selfish.

I didn't...

left my daughter with the devil to...

let him devour her !

I left because I thought, if she...

accepts that I am dead, she will...

give up her desire to keep the money for my sake...

And give up her...

Share of property to him and...

He'll let her go !

The only reason she wasn't ready to...

Give up on the property was...

She wanted to give it me as...

Her father didn't gave me alimony post divorce !

She wanted a...

Happy life for me as well...

And that's why...

I left her...

Even though I knew she was...

But that stupid girl...

And I am not accepting to...

Do anything to punish her Dad, because...

She doesn't want her Dad to face defame. Because...

She always heard him say, daughters never bring fame to their fathers, but only defame them !

And my silly child thought...

That her father was a straight and innocent person.

But she didn't know, he was preparing...

The background to introduce that fucking son of his !

She...

She always loved her father and that bastard...

He didn't even let me meet my own daughter... "

She couldn't talk anymore.

Pavel pulled her in his arms and she hugged him and started crying.

We felt very bad for her and also got the answer to our question, why does Ash never wanted us to do anything against her father no matter how badly he treated her !

" You people are blaming ME for not doing anything for my daughter or for myself ?

It was YOUR corrupt department who denied to even listen to my appeal !

I had filed complaint against that bastard Alex.

And what did I got in return ?

Threatening calls to take the complaint back !

He had abused me, he hurted me to get what he wanted so that, he could bring that bitch Marry and his asshole son Michael and give them everything !

He denied to let me meet my own daughter.

And didn't gave me her custody, only because he had introduced her as his daughter, after he became the mayor.

And he couldn't just let his beloved daughter live with his mentally sick ex wife, as he loved his daughter more than his life !

The hell he loved her !

He just wanted to maintain his fake fame in the society so that, people would vote him again and make him the president one day !

Where was your LAW when, I demanded justice for me and my daughter ?

Now you are reminding ME of the justice ?

I DO want justice for at least my daughter; but your so called JUSTICE LOVING DEPARTMENT hide and erased my filed cases against him and many other criminal cases of him and his son !

Now, I have nothing to submit as any evidence and proof that, he and his son are sick bastards ! "

I said coldly after she stopped crying and got herself together.

" We are sorry, Mrs...

Um... Arina.

We didn't know what your intention was behind all this.

We didn't thought about your feelings and blamed you for what not !

Please, forgive us.

We were so mad to know that, you don't want to do anything for Ash and she is our weak point !

But please listen to us.

We will take care of her obsession with her father's fame; but you need to help us.

And now that, you have brought the topic of the erased files and and evidences, my friends did a lot of searching for any proof against Michael and guess what they found ?

The copy of your complaint you filed against Mr. Grayson and they even found criminal records of Michael as well !

So, now we have all of the evidences we need to prove him guilty and we also have a proof of Michael... Raping Ash !

As he is no more, we can at least get Mr. Grayson behind the bars !

Please, Mrs. Arina, help us here.

Your daughter won't file complaint against her DAD; but you can definitely file it against your ex husband !

Please, please help us.

We want the culprit who let all evil things happen to her and didn't said a word against it to Michael !

Please, mam. Please ! "

I said pleading her as if my life depended on it.

" Hey, you don't need to beg me for it.

Ofcourse I'd do anything for my daughter.

I was just not into it, because I thought I don't have any evidence against him.

But, now that we have, I will definitely get him behind the bars !

Well, it's been a whole day we are together and yet I didn't got your names !

Please introduce yourself.

I don't need to, as you know my both names ! "

Rachel said chuckling.

We all laughed at her silly joke.

My god, Ash is not just physically like her Mom, but the sweet silly things are same too !

We introduced ourselves to her and we chatted for a while and then, we requested doctors to at least let us see her from distance.

He allowed us and we finally saw her !

Though, she was sleeping the agony she was in, was visible on her face.

She must be in so much pain !

The tears again started rolling off our eyes, after seeing her like this !

I really loved that, Cole shot him dead.

And if he hadn't; I'd definitely had killed him after seeing her like this !

Doctor said, we could meet her tomorrow.

Dominic won't stop calling !

He've called the 90th time today.

He had been calling her every now and then, from the moment we landed here.

We haven't told him what happened here today.

Derek said he would panick so much and won't be able to concentrate on his scheduled surgery !

I almost forgot about it !

Derek remembers everything and never forget, even in such serious and heartbreaking situation !

I picked up his call or he might get suscpecious about it.

I received the call and put it on loudspeaker,

" Hello ? "

I said softly.

" Where the hell have you been the whole day ? "

Dominic yelled frustrated.

" We were...

Um...

Busy finding Rachel's place... "

I lied.

" Oh !

Did you found it ? "

Dominic asked hopefully.

" Yes, we did. "

I said.

" Great !

Um...

Where is Ash ?

She isn't responding.

I've been calling her since forever.

She didn't received a single call today.

She never does that !

And I've been feeling alone here with all of you guys being there.

Please, can you get her on call ?

I need to talk to her.

I am missing her voice...

And she isn't talking to me... "

Dominic said sadly.

My voice cracked and a jolt of emotions burned inside my chest and my tears could be heard from my voice,

" She...

She isn't even talking to us Dominic... "

I said stupidly almost spilling the beans.

Cole snatched the cell from me and handled the situation,

" What ?

What do you mean ?

She is with you, isn't she ?

Then how come she isn't talking to you guys ?

Is everything alright ?

Don't scare me, Lauren !

Is she alright ?

Did Michael... "

Dominic said deriving conclusion because of my stupidity.

" Nothing...

Nothing happened.

You know this drama queen !

We...

Found Rachel and she isn't letting her daughter go even for a second !

Yes...

That's...

And she isn't talking to us...

That's why he said it...

She met her Mom after so many months so, she too is isn't ready to let go of her mother.

We...

We are standing here...

Infront of her yet she is...

Ignoring us...

then you aren't even here so, you are the last person she'd miss !

She is alright.

You don't panick.

The moment they let go of eachothers, the...

first thing I'll tell her to call you.

Let it be, tell me about your...

Surgery ?

Was it today or is it tomorrow ? "

Cole said changing the topic.

" No...

The patient was so scared and his blood pressure was so high, we have to wait for it to get normal. May be we'll operate him tonight...

Actually, I don't know why but I am feeling so weird since morning.

And that's why I am calling this much !

And she not responding my calls made me panick.

I am feeling like Ash is hurt and needs my help ! That thought isn't leaving my mind and I can't focus on the surgery so; I am thinking I'll let someone else handle it.

It's very risky to operate when you can't focus, he might get killed in it !

Tell me Cole, is she alright ?

Tell me the truth... "

Dominic said almost suspected.

" Yes Dominic, she is...

Alright.

We are with her.

We won't let...

Anything happen to her. "

Cole said heavy heartedly.

" Cole, Lauren is a drama queen I know.

But why is YOUR voice shaking ?

Are you lying to me ? "

Dominic said doubtfully.

" No, Dominic...

Nothing's like that.

Don't worry. "

Cole said trying to compose himself.

" But the feeling isn't leaving my mind that she is hurt and needs me !

I am feeling very restless, Cole !

I've never felt anything like this ever.

Please, ask her to just say a simple hello to me. Please, Cole !

I won't call again, just ask her to say hello and nothing else...

Please.

It'll keep my brain and heart sane.

I am growing very restless here ! "

Dominic said helplessly.

Cole was trying so hard not to sniff out so that, Dominic won't get he is crying.

" Guys do you wanna join Ash and me to the park or you finally wanna give us some privacy ? "

Rachel said loud enough to be audible over the call.

Wow, what an idea !

" Who's that ? "

Dominic asked.

" Rachel !

She is taking Ash to some park.

We must go with them Dominic, we can't let Ash alone in an unknown country ! "

Cole said trying hard not to cry.

" Yes, yes. Go.

Go with her and please tell her to call me just once.

Please ! "

Dominic said almost pleading.

" Yeah...

Sure.

Bye. "

Cole said taking in a sharp breath.

" B..."

Cole didn't even listened to Dominic and disconnected the call and kept his hands over his face and started crying.

" He is...

I lied to him on face when he was asking me to... "

Cole said feeling guilty.

" You did the right thing, Cole.

If you had told him that Michael shot her, he would have went crazy !

And right now he is alone there, he needs to keep his brain intact. "

Derek said patting his back.

" The other Cops would come tomorrow to get the statement of the culprit and the victim.

We need to prepare your girl and tell her what the situation is and what does she have to say ! "

Paula said coming to us after sometime.

" Um...

But the doctors said we can't meet her before morning...

how would we... "

I told them the situation.

" You don't worry about that.

I'll make sure they won't enter the hospital before she is awake ! "

Paula said assuring.

" But she is already... "

I tried to tell her she is awake already.

" Yes, we got it Paula.

Thankyou so much.

I can't tell you how grateful I am for your help ! "

Derek said.

" You fucking rascal !

Don't you dare talk to me ! "

Paula said cursing him.

He definitely have fucked her earlier and didn't called as he promised !

" But I can dare it, right ? "

Evan said.

" Shut up... "

Paula said blushing.

What's going on ?

A new love story ?

" Paula, thanks. "

Derek said and went and hugged her.

She slapped him on his back, but hugged him back.

" Don't worry.

She'll be alright.

And we won't let anything happen to Mr. Pavel. Trust me. "

Paula said assuring us.

" I trust you that's why I called you !

We'll talk to the doctors to let us meet her a bit early. "

Derek said.

Paula went but Evan stayed back.

I didn't got what did she ment by she won't let them enter the hospital before she wakes up !

" Derek, I was wondering... "

I tried to ask him...

" Sweetheart, what she meant is, she won't tell the Cops that she is up before we tell everything to Ash and tell her what does she have to tell the Cops ! "

Derek said.

" Ohhh !

I didn't got... "

" I got that.

Now, let's go to the restroom and wait for the sun to come out and finally meet our girl ! "

Derek said putting his hand on my shoulder and dragged me with him.