Chapter 23

Nate's POV

Nate sat slumped in a chair outside Allyson's hospital room, his head in his hands. The events of the past few hours played over and over in his mind like a nightmare he couldn't wake up from. Allyson was fighting for her life because of him—because he had been too blind to see through Rachel's lies.

Just as he was about to stand and go check on Allyson through the transparent glass window of her room. He heard the sound of hurried footsteps behind him. Nate looked up to see Allyson's uncle, Richard, storming toward him, his face a mask of fury. The older man's eyes were bloodshot, a mix of anger and despair radiating from him.

Before Nate could say a word, Richard grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. "You," Richard growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You stay the hell away from my niece!"

"Please, Mr. Wright, I—" Nate began, but Richard cut him off.

"You've done enough damage," Richard spat, his grip tightening. "She's in that room fighting for her life because of you! If you care about her at all, you'll stay far, far away."

Nate's heart sank. He wanted to protest, to explain that he had been misled, that he didn't mean for any of this to happen. But the weight of Richard's words crushed him, silencing any defense he might have had.

"Take him out of here," Richard ordered, gesturing to the bodyguards who flanked him.

Two burly men stepped forward, grabbing Nate by the arms. He struggled against them, his desperation growing. "Please, let me stay," Nate pleaded. "I need to be here for her."

But his words fell on deaf ears. The bodyguards dragged him down the corridor, his protests echoing through the sterile halls of the hospital. As they shoved him through the doors and out into the cold night air, Nate collapsed to his knees. The weight of his guilt and helplessness pressed down on him until he couldn't hold back the tears any longer.

He cried like a child, the pain and regret overwhelming him. How had everything gone so wrong? He loved Allyson, yet he had driven her away with his distrust and anger. Now, she was lying in a hospital bed, and he wasn't even allowed to be by her side.

As he sat there, broken and defeated, a familiar figure approached. Rachel, who had been lurking around the hospital for her own reasons, saw Nate in his vulnerable state and seized the opportunity.

"Nate," Rachel cooed, kneeling beside him and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "I'm so sorry you're going through this."

Nate didn't respond, too lost in his grief to care. He barely registered Rachel's presence as she gently coaxed him to his feet and led him to her car.

"Come with me," she whispered. "You need to rest. I'll take care of you."

Numb and exhausted, Nate allowed Rachel to guide him into the passenger seat. He didn't have the strength to argue or resist. His mind was consumed with thoughts of Allyson, and the overwhelming fear that he might lose her forever.

When they arrived at Rachel's house, she helped him inside and led him to the couch. Nate sat down heavily, his head pounding from the stress and the tears. Rachel disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a glass of water and some pills.

"Here," she said softly, handing him the pills. "These will help you sleep. You need to rest, Nate."

Too drained to question it, Nate took the pills and swallowed them with the water. He leaned back against the couch, closing his eyes as the medication began to take effect. Within minutes, he felt himself drifting into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Rachel watched as Nate's breathing slowed, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips. With Nate out of the way, she could begin to solidify her hold on him, piece by piece. Allyson may have survived this time, but Rachel was determined to make sure she wouldn't win in the end.

As Nate slipped into unconsciousness, Rachel leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Sleep well, Nate. Everything will be better soon."

**To be continued…**