Elle’s Dilemma: between love and loyalty

Chapter two

I woke up disoriented. Bright light blurred my vision, and a throbbing pain shot through my skull as if I'd been hit by a truck. The room felt cold—too cold—and blurry as I looked around. I closed my eyes again and reopened them, finding myself on a hospital bed. White walls greeted me, and my wrist was hooked up to an IV. Instantly, panic spread through my body.

“No...” I whispered, instinctively touching my stomach and flinching. I let out a shaky breath. The last thing I remembered was Ashton's voice screaming my name and the sound of a crash. My chest tightened. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to recall more. I remember the horns, the screaming, and the shove. An instant headache hit as I tried to remember, so I gasped and stopped trying.

The door opened. I turned slowly, pain spreading even with the slightest movement. Confusion replaced the pain when I saw Su step into the room. She was supposed to be in Seoul. I remembered being on the phone with her while we overheard Ashton and his friend talking, how she kept screaming and cursing at him, and now she was here, carrying a plate of washed grapes. She looked at me, relief flashing in her eyes, then rushed to my side.

"You're awake.”

"Su_!” I whispered slowly. “My baby?” I asked desperately, my words frantic. I felt my stomach again in panic.

"Easy!" she said, rushing forward and gently pressing a hand to my shoulder. “Elle, stop—" I shoved her hand away.

“Where's my baby?" She froze, opening her mouth to speak but then closing it, tears filling her eyes instantly. I began to panic.

Then, she smiled through her tears.

"The baby's fine." I finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling my fear subside as tears filled my eyes again. Relief washed over me, and I cried and laughed at the same time.

I looked at Su again, noticing her unease, and then I remembered Ashton. I inhaled sharply and faced her.

"Su... what happened?" My voice trembled.

"It's Ashton,” she said. The room turned cold. I froze, my breath becoming shallow.

“Where's he, Su?" I asked.

She avoided my gaze. Tears streamed down my face because my instincts already told me the answer, but I didn't want to believe it. The way she kept avoiding my gaze confirmed what I already knew.

"Where’s Ashton?” I asked again.

She froze, gripping my hands tightly but still refusing to look at me.

"Su... please look at me."

For a moment, she stood still, refusing to give in. Gradually, she lifted her face. Her eyes were red and teary.

"I'm sorry, Elle,” she said, holding my hands tightly. “But he's dead.”

The room grew small and heavy. The air was thick, and I couldn't breathe. I stared at Su, searching for what I wasn't even sure of. All I saw was pity and pain—nothing I expected. For a moment, everything stopped. The memories flooded my mind. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to wake from a nightmare, but it only made it worse. I screamed.

“It's my fault,” I said lifelessly. My voice sounded different to my ears.

Su’s head snapped up sharply.

"Elle, No—"

“Yes,” I said, shaking my head. I stood abruptly from the bed, my heart pounding. "If I hadn't run out of the apartment, if I had just stayed and listened.” The words came out unfiltered.

“Elle, stop," Su said, her voice trembling as silent tears fell from her eyes. She grabbed my shoulder. I looked at her, tears falling harder now.

"It's true, Su. I left and I couldn't even listen to his explanation. I just... ran, and now he's..."

My voice broke. Su pulled me into her arms.

“He chose to save you, Elle." I shook my head.

“No... He's dead because of me.”

“No, Elle. He died because he loved you." That hurt me too. Su’s words just brought a painful ache in my chest. The room blurred as tears streamed down my face.

"He's dead, and now... now I don't have the chance to fix this." The regret and pain tore me apart. Su reached out and pulled me in as my knees buckled.

“What will I say to our baby when she's finally here?" I whispered, crumbling to the floor and weeping.

“It wasn't your fault," she whispered over my tears. As I clung to her, she held on, whispering that it was okay.

“Elle...!” She called, and I dreaded the next words she was about to say. Slowly, I looked up at her. Her face was serious—too serious.

“What is it, Su?” I asked, my voice hoarse from crying.

“His parents are here!”