VIII. Why keep on failing?

As I slowly opened my eyes, a wave of confusion washed over me. The sound of distant voices floated around me, mingling with the remnants of a dream I could no longer grasp. My vision was blurry at first, but as my surroundings came into focus, I was met with the tear-streaked faces of Alex and Lara. Their expressions were filled with deep concern, their eyes reflecting the fear they had endured while waiting for me to regain consciousness.

I struggled to understand what had happened as they anxiously leaned over me, their voices layered with worry.

"What… what happened?" I asked, my voice weak and faded, barely more than a whisper.

"Gosh, you are awake!" Alex exclaimed, his tone frantic as he checked my face and then ran his hands gently over my arms, as if searching for more injuries. His worry was evident, his usual composed demeanor replaced by sheer panic.

I turned my head slightly to look at Lara, who was wiping away fresh tears from her already damp cheeks. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Does it hurt anywhere? What can we do?"

Their voices seemed distant, as if they were calling out from a far-off place, and I struggled to respond. My mind was still muddled, caught between the lingering haze of unconsciousness and the harsh reality settling in around me. But the urgency in their voices, the sheer desperation on their faces, pulled me back, grounding me in the present moment.

"I... I thought I was dreaming," I finally managed to say, my voice still hoarse from exhaustion.

As I reassured them that I was okay and that I did not feel much pain, I could see the relief wash over them. Their tense shoulders loosened, and for the first time since I had opened my eyes, they allowed themselves to breathe.

"We were so worried about you," Lara said, her voice thick with emotion. "You were unconscious for so long."

I reached out weakly, taking her hand in mine to assure her that I was fine.

Alex, who had been staring at me with unreadable intensity, suddenly met my gaze with a serious expression. "Do you remember anything else?" he asked carefully.

As my senses sharpened, I realized just how shaken they both were. A surge of gratitude filled me. Despite my current disorientation, the warmth of their concern was comforting in the midst of my confusion.

"No... Everything happened so quickly," I admitted, frustration creeping into my tone. "I did not even realize I was stabbed, and I do not know who did this to me."

Lara gently patted my head, her touch soothing. "It is okay. Just focus on resting now. We will take care of everything."

I nodded weakly and let my eyes close, allowing exhaustion to pull me back into sleep.

When I woke up again, the room was empty. I assumed Alex and Lara had stepped out or had gone home to rest. The dim glow from the bedside lamp cast a soft light across the hospital room, creating eerie shadows along the walls.

I sat up slowly, wincing at the dull ache in my abdomen. A full-sized mirror stood in the corner of the room, and curiosity got the best of me. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I made my way toward it, the cold floor sending shivers up my spine.

The hospital gown draped loosely over my frame, and as I lifted it slightly, my fingers brushed against the fresh bandages wrapped tightly around my stomach. The sight of them sent a shiver down my spine. The reality of my attack sank in deeper, but before I could dwell on it, a soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

Expecting to see Alex and Lara, I turned with a small smile, but it quickly faded when a nurse entered, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers.

"Who are those from?" I asked, my brows knitting together in confusion.

She placed the bouquet on the small bedside table and offered a polite but unreadable expression. "Someone sent them anonymously, ma'am. They did not leave a name," she said before excusing herself from the room.

I watched her go, my curiosity piqued. Once I was alone again, I reached for the bouquet, inhaling the floral scent before spotting something tucked between the petals. A small folded note.

Unfolding it, my eyes scanned the message, and a cold shiver ran down my spine.

"That is to remind you to know your place. You are getting too close to my fiancé. Know your boundaries, or I will not know mine."

I scoffed, my fingers tightening around the paper. Of course. Nadia.

She had crossed the line this time.

Did I look like the kind of person who would sit back and let her do whatever she wanted? No. She had made a grave mistake if she thought she could intimidate me.

A surge of frustration coursed through me, making it impossible to stay in the confined space of my hospital room. I needed air. Grabbing the IV pole, I carefully dragged it along as I stepped outside, craving the crisp night breeze.

I wandered to the back of the hospital building, where a small bench sat beneath a towering tree. It was quiet here—calm, secluded. The perfect place to gather my thoughts.

As I tilted my head back to look at the sky, I let my eyes close, allowing the silence and the cool wind to embrace me.

But my peace was short-lived.

"What are you doing here?"

My eyes snapped open at the sound of a faint voice. I remained still, listening.

"I know you hate me that much, but please, leave Kaesu out of this. Do not drag her into something she is innocent of."

My breath hitched.

Wait.

Why were they talking about me?

I moved slightly, trying to get a better look at the people speaking behind the building, but my IV pole made a slight noise when I shifted it. Frustrated, I yanked the dextrose needle from my hand, wincing at the sharp sting.

I crept forward and, to my shock, I spotted Lara and Canim.

What the hell was Lara doing here?

"Move," Canim's voice was cold, almost unrecognizable.

"Please, I am begging you. Not Kaesu. Not her. Please."

My forehead furrowed. What were they talking about? Why was Lara begging so desperately?

"I said move." His tone sent chills down my spine.

"Promise me you will not hurt her," Lara pleaded, her voice breaking.

Something in me snapped.

Ignoring the pain in my wound, I turned and bolted back to my room as fast as my body would allow. Every step sent waves of agony through my abdomen, but I refused to stop. I needed to get back before Canim saw me.

Once inside, I collapsed onto the bed, breathing heavily, my wound pulsing with fresh pain. I clenched my jaw, trying to suppress my groans, but the anguish was unbearable.

The door creaked open behind me. I knew who it was.

"Kaesu, what is happening? DOCTOR!" Canim's voice was frantic, thick with something I could not place.

I wanted to answer, but my body betrayed me. My vision blurred, the room swaying. I tried to fight against the fog overtaking me, but it was useless.

"I'm sorry I was late," Canim's voice was barely above a whisper now, filled with guilt. "This would not have happened. I failed to protect you last time, and now… I have failed again."

His words were the last thing I heard before darkness swallowed me whole.