47. "Parents' Apology for Hurtful Actions"

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Lucien watched as Ravel delicately wiped her tear-stained cheeks, her expression apologetic. "We're sorry for barging in like this. We just couldn't bear to wait any longer to see our little girl."

Lucien's reassuring smile was like a warm hug. "No need to apologize, you're always welcome here. And when Vivi wakes up, she'll be overjoyed to see you both."

Jason nodded his head, gratitude etched on his face. "Thank you for your kindness and unwavering support, Lucien."

As they chatted, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed in the room, interrupting their conversation.

The hours ticked by, and the room filled with visitors, each bringing their unique energy to the space. Some came in tears, their grief palpable, while others tried to lift the mood with playful humor.

Vivienne's colleagues from her company, including her mentor and confidante, Olivia Johnson, were among the visitors who paid their respects.

But through it all, Lucien remained a steady presence at Vivienne's side, his mind consumed with all the words he wished to say to her when she finally woke up.

As the hours ticked by, the sterile hospital room had grown quiet, the air thick with an anxious stillness.

Vivienne lay motionless on the hospital bed, her pale complexion a stark contrast against the stark white sheets. The rhythmic beeping of the machines that surrounded her was the only sound that could be heard.

"Ahh...!!" "Beep...beep...!!"

Suddenly, a low groan echoed through the room, followed by a sharp beep. The noise grew louder and more insistent, a mechanical whirring sound filling the space.

All eyes turned towards the monitors, as the doctor quickly made his way to Vivienne's side.

Heart rates quickened as they waited for any sign of life from the comatose girl.

And then, like a flicker of a flame, Vivienne's fingers began to twitch, followed by a flutter of her eyelids. Excited whispers filled the room as the doctor checked the machines to ensure that all was well.

And then, there she was, waking up.

Olivia Johnson, her mentor and friend, was the first to stand beside her, holding her hand tightly.

The warmth of her touch was a comfort to Vivienne as she slowly adjusted to the light in the room.

She looked up, her eyes searching, and then she saw them. Her parents were there, too, their faces etched with worry and relief all at once.

"Hel..lo...!!"

Vivienne tried to speak, but her voice was weak, barely more than a whisper.

She closed her eyes again, taking a deep breath, and then she opened them once more. This time, she looked at Olivia and smiled, a small, wan thing, but a smile nonetheless.

"Finally, boss is alright...!!"

The room erupted into a cacophony of cheers, tears, and embraces as Vivienne opened her eyes.

Relief and joy intermingled in a palpable wave, and the employees of her company crowded around her hospital bed, reveling in the moment of her awakening.

Some laughed, some cried, and some simply hugged each other tightly, overcome with emotion.

But their joy was short-lived as the head nurse strode into the room, her stern expression making it clear that she was not pleased with the commotion. "Quiet down, this is a hospital!" she scolded, her voice echoing off the walls.

Olivia Johnson, also joined in the effort to calm everyone down. "Now, now, calm down everyone," she said, her voice soothing and maternal. "We're all happy that Vivienne is okay, but we need to remember that we're in a hospital and we need to keep the noise down."

Eventually, the frenzied excitement began to abate, and Ms. Johnson turned her attention to the gathered employees. "Anyways, you guys need to hurry up and leave," she reminded them, her voice stern but not unkind. "You've already wasted your free time for today, and you need to be well-rested for tomorrow. We all know how much work there is to do."

Amara, one of Vivienne's closest colleagues and dear friend, spoke up, her words infused with a sense of good humor. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks for the reminder," she quipped. "Okay, guys, we can leave now. The boss will be alright, so let's make sure we're ready to hit the ground running tomorrow."

With that, Elio and the other employees bid a subdued farewell to their boss, offering quiet words of encouragement and support.

A few lingered behind, perhaps reluctant to leave the moment of relief and togetherness they had shared.

But eventually, they too trickled out of the hospital room, leaving Vivienne and a select few others in peaceful, if somewhat subdued, silence.

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"Dr. Noel, could I have a moment of your time, please?" Lucien's voice shattered the serene atmosphere in the room.

"Certainly, Master Sterling." The doctor looked at Lucien, feeling a little puzzled.

"Um, Vivi. Do you know who we are?" Lucien asked a bewildering question, leaving everyone else in the room perplexed.

"Hmm!" After taking a sip of warm water to moisten her dry mouth, Vivi glanced at the faces of everyone present.

Everyone still looked a little confused as to why Lucien had posed such an odd question.

"What kind of question is that, Mr. Sterling!" Olivia Johnson exclaimed, finding the query to be out of place.

Even Vivienne's parents, who were present in the room, were taken aback by the suddenness of the question.

"Are you, by any chance...!!" Doctor Noel had an epiphany as he recalled the slight blood clot on the back nerve, which he had observed during the examination.

"Can you please call out our names, Ms. Vivienne!" Doctor Noel also urged for an answer.

"Yes, I am alright. Thank you for your concern, Dr. Noel!" Vivienne smiled and replied to Doctor Noel.

"Thank you for coming, Ms. Olivia!" She turned towards Olivia Johnson and expressed her gratitude for the visit.

"I was shocked and shaken when I heard about your accident!" Olivia said while smiling and holding Vivienne's hands with her own.

"I'm fine now, thank you!" Vivienne gave her a little hug before turning towards her parents.

"And why did you come here, to see if I'm still alive? Mother and Father!" Vivienne faced her parents, Jason Delacroix and Ravel Gray.

"We're sorry, Vivi. We know we've done something hurtful towards you that can't be undone, so we can only apologize for it!" Jason spoke up and looked remorseful and sad as he gazed at their daughter's unkind expression.

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