Veronica's POV

I inhaled deeply as I tried to clear my head. The room was spinning and for some reason the air was making it difficult to breathe. It has been two hours since I heard that Carr was in a coma and still my mind refused to believe it. I tried to go see her but the doctors denied my request, stating that I wasn't getting released until noon.

My eyes shifted to the small wall clock and I sighed as it told me it was just after nine; four more hours until I could see my love again.

How would she look? Would my heart stand the thought of seeing her? Just lying there, motionless?

I snapped out of my thoughts as the police officer closed his notepad and got up. His partner who had been quiet for the entire questioning finally decided to let himself be heard and I once more had to focus on what they were saying.

"I know that this was a really bad time but it's protocol and we had to get your statements for the report." He says sympathetically.

I nod and look over to the doorway as two of the morning nurses came in for my regular checkups. The officers apologized once more before exiting and I watched in silence as the nurses did their normal checkups.

"Well Ms. Wilson, it seems as though you're gonna get discharged today. Everything seems normal and you're responding well to treatments."

I continued to stare at the woman and her smile brightened.

"Are you getting any headaches or pains in the shoulders?"

"No headaches, just shoulder pains but they're mild."

"Well it is expected since you fractured your arm. You'll have to wear the cast for a month. Are you okay with that?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Alright, if it's okay with you, I'm going to send your family in."

"Ugh, okay." I closed my eyes as the two nurses left and seconds later I heard the door open and footsteps enter.

"Nika?" My dad said and I struggled to maintain my composure. I opened my eyes and saw my parents and my brother standing at my bedside.

"Well look who the cat dragged in." I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Glad to see you're back to normal." Caleb responded sarcastically.

"Guys can we please get along? How are you feeling honey?" My mom asked as she reached out to touch my bandaged forehead.

"Well aside from the concussion and the fractured arm, I think I'm doing pretty good."

"Good, when they discharge you, I'm taking you back home with me." Mom says softly and I smile up at her. I haven't spent quality time with her since she came for my birthday and I just couldn't wait to have girls night.

"What?! No, I'm taking her home with me Donna!"

"Nathan, this is not up for discussion so let's stop arguing in front of her. Caleb, I'll be outside... It's good to see you again."

I watched as my mother held her head high and walked out before turning my attention to the men in the room. Caleb shrugged his shoulders while my father struggled to maintain his temper.

"Nika, why don't you get some rest? I'm going to go talk to your mother."

He nodded to Caleb before following after her and I rolled my eyes at how childish my parents could get.

"I've definitely not missed this." Caleb says as he comes to sit besides me.

"Trust me, neither have I."

"So, how are you really feeling?"

"I feel fine, I just really wanna get out of her and check on Carr."

"Carr?"

"Yeah, my gir- am... My roommate."

"Ah! Okay."

"She got stabbed trying to protect me from Anthony and well... I heard she's in a coma."

"Do you know what happened exactly?"

"I'm not really sure but I heard she had internal bleeding and they stopped it just in time but still... They cut it a bit close and now she's in a coma."

"That sucks."

"Yeah." I respond absentmindedly.

My thoughts travelled back to the night and how she looked as she fell. My heart slowed as I remembered the look on her face seconds before I blacked out. In that moment nothing else mattered, I wanted to tell her all the things I was afraid too. I felt stupid about walking out on her. I closed my eyes as the tears threatened to fall and I felt my brother's strong yet gentle hands on my own.

"I'm guessing she wasn't just your roommate." He says softly and I bite back a sob as I saw the pity in his eyes.

"Don't look at me like that." I snapped and pulled my hand away.

"I'm just giving my sympathy Veronica."

"No you're not! Look, I don't wanna talk anymore, please leave."

"Nika!"

I turned on my side as the tears started to fall and I did nothing to stop them. Carr was in the hospital because of me. Everything was my fault and I hated myself for putting her in that coma. I brought my knees up to my chin as I heard the door close quietly and I let the sobs out. They were uncontrollable and loud and I never felt freer.

-------------

"Are you ready to get out of here?" My doctor asked and I smiled as I got off the bed.

"You can bet your ass I am."

"What I wouldn't give to have you dumb again." He joked and I childishly stuck my tongue out at him.

I walked out to the waiting area and saw my family waiting on me. Sighing heavily, I walked over and mentally braced myself for the torture.

"So, who am I going home with?" I asked sarcastically, fake smile and all.

"Nathan and I agreed that it was in your best interest to stay with him until you got better." My mom said and I raised an eyebrow, genuinely shocked.

"Really?"

"Yes Veronica, and if you've forgotten, I do have a house in the city."

"Of course you do." I rolled my eyes and walked over to the elevator, ignoring them as they followed me.

When we reached the parking lot I stopped and turned to face my mother and brother as my dad sat in the car. "So where are you guys staying?"

"Well, I have to get back home since I have a job and well, you're obviously okay." Caleb responds sarcastically and I roll my eyes at him.

"So, you mean to tell me that you flew all the way over here just to see if I was okay?"

"Be glad I came, especially since I can't stand to be around those too." Caleb points to mom and dad before pulling me into an awkward hug.

"I can hear you!" Mom shouts and we pull apart laughing.

I watch as my brother walk over to his car and drive off. I'm sure he would be headed to his hotel to pack for his flight. I turn to my mother and she's smiling.

"What?"

"Is there something you need to tell me?"

"Something like what?"

"Goodbye honey."

"Mom, you're so weird sometimes."

"Just remember, whenever you need to talk, I'm just a phone call away."

"Are you flying back too?"

"Not for another two weeks. Do you really think I'll leave you in the less than capable hands of your father?"

"I was beginning to wonder."

I watch as my mother laughed before kissing me on the temple and heading over to her own car. Seconds later she was speeding off and I had no other choice but to get in the car with the man who I shared my bloodline with.

"Dad?"

"Yes Nika?"

I pulled on my seatbelt as he took off down the road and I had the perfect chance to gauge his reaction to what I was about to tell him. I had to find an excuse to go visit Carol tomorrow because I knew he wouldn't want me to go back there, at least not so soon. Maybe if he knew what she meant to me he might reconsider and I would finally get to look upon her face.

I braced myself for all his negative comments and even for him taking me over to my mom's and leaving me forever. I watched as he continued to focus on the road ahead, swerving in and out of traffic and patiently waiting for me to continue.

"Never mind."

I couldn't. How can I tell him something that even I couldn't confirm for myself. I can't remember ever saying that she was my girlfriend aloud, or ever, for that matter. I sighed deeply as my father became oblivious to my plight.

He never cared to have a real relationship with me. This week home with him will be a breeze.