"Nick, I got here as soon as I got the news. How's she doing?"
"Probably dying." He took in a deep breath and looked up at Stanley.
"She was confirmed brain dead by the doctors...I thought if we give her some more time, she might get better. She woke up, Stan, just to get worse all over again.
"Look Nick, there might be something the doctors could do… "
"Mr. Hale, your wife is stable now and out of danger. It's a miracle, her vitals are stable." Nicholas jumped from his seat when he heard the information from the doctor.
"Really Doc? Can I see her now?" Already on his way to the room, he paused hoping to get a positive response from the Doctor.
"Of course. I will advise you to spend just a few minutes with her and then let her rest."
"Go on Boss. Should I inform Miss Natalie… " Nicholas hadn't bothered to reply Black who had been with him, worried sick, blaming himself for not protecting her, it was his job, he failed.
Nick's focus was Aurora, he rushed into the room to see her. "Thank God! maybe I should pray more often." He smiled at how silly he sounded but he'd prayed for her even though he wasn't religious.
'What a way to awaken!' Nick was beside her bed talking to himself, worried about her? She couldn't believe it. Maybe he wasn't so bad?
"You look less pale, alive. I promise to make whoever did this to you pay with their lives." He kissed her fingers.
"I should probably let you be. Promise you won't get worse again, you scared me back there." She couldn't speak so she squeezed his fingers. That was all the promise Nicholas needed.
"I'll be back soon." He kissed her fingers once more before leaving.
"Any luck? Has he confessed yet?" He'd gotten home and went straight to the torture room. He wanted to see the face of the man that dared to hurt a Hale.
"No sir. He's kept his mouth sealed, won't say anything."
"You haven't tortured him or what?"
"We have boss, but… "
"Step aside, I'll do it myself."
"Boss, no offense but I think we should let him be for now. Men like this would rather die than betray their bosses and I think that's what he plans to do. If we go on like this, he'll be dead in a few hours." Nicholas retreated seeing sense in what Santos had said.
"What do you suggest we do?"
"We leave him be for now, get info on him then think of our next course of action. If you can't hurt them, hurt what matters to them."
"Smart. I trust you Santos, I'll leave it to you."
"Thanks Boss, you should get some rest. Black told me what happened. We're glad she's okay now."
Nick nodded his response and went inside to get a much needed shower.
As he got dressed, scenes from the site of the incident kept replaying in his head. It still felt unreal. He still couldn't think of anyone that would want to hurt Aurora. A knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Nick, it's me, Natalie. May I come in?"
"Come in."
"Hi... Black told me everything. It must have been very stressful for you emotionally."
"Do you now call me a woman?"
"No! I'm saying it's obvious you care for her
and… nevermind. What do you mean? men don't have emotions? Look, I'm not here to argue or anything, you just arrived but I would like to be informed when you head back to the hospital. I would like to go along with you."
"Okay," He called his sister back on her way out.
"Wait... can you please make a list of everything you think Aurora may need during her stay in the hospital? I mean things that could make her stay there bearable."
"Sure."
"Thanks, give the list to Vicenta, she should get them today."
"On it. See you later."
"Later."
Julia had seen the news on social media and headed straight to the Sky high hospital. She wasn't allowed to go in and see her.
"you don't understand, I'm her bestie, I have to see her."
"Listen ma'am, although we can't let you in there without her family's permission, we still can't allow anyone to see her right now. The patient needs rest. It's a miracle she's alive, we're doing everything possible to ensure she pulls through this."
Julia gave up trying.
"I understand. When can I see her?"
"In a few hours but with her family's permission of course."
"Alright, I'll wait here."
Hours passed, Julia was bored, hungry and exhausted. She'd spent her time worrying and pacing back and forth.
....
"Natalie! I'm on my way to the hospital, aren't you ready?"
"I'm ready," she rushed out, "Let's go."
They got to the hospital and found someone waiting right outside Aurora's hospital room, peeping through the window.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Nicholas ordered. He couldn't trust anyone. But when the girl turned, he was certain he'd seen her before.
"I'm Julia, Aurora's best friend. I'm here to see my friend." She looked at Nick with what looked like disgust.
"I was told I needed permission from her family…obviously, you, to see her. It took you long enough to arrive."
"Hey, watch your tone. My brother had been in the hospital for over a day, watching over Aurora. He's the reason she's still alive. If he hadn't insisted she remained on life support, she would have been gone by now."
"Thank you then...if you aren't the reason she's in this condition. I mean, who would want to kill Aurora? I knew marriage with you was something that was going to bring her pain but I never once thought of this. You coming into her life is a curse."
"Nobody talks to me like that, ever. I'll let this slide because you're Aurora's friend. The situation has everyone on their toes but there's a limit to what I can tolerate."
Julia didn't dare say more. She looked at him in disgust, and walked into Aurora's room. Seeing her friend connected to machines made her tears flow.
"Poor thing, she looks so pale and fragile." Sitting beside the bed, she brushed Aurora's hair with her fingers. "You're strong, you'll come out of this even stronger."
"Jul...Julie?" Aurora said in a faint voice, as loud as she could manage, given the pain she was dealing with.
"Yes girl! it's me."
"It hur…hurts," She kept turning her head to the side: left and then right, unable to stand the pain.
"Hey…You promised to get better. You won't go back on your word now will you?" Nick said.
She turned her head, a way to say no. "Pain."
"I know. You're doing great, I'll go get the doctor, he'll get you something for the pain." He hurried to get a doctor fearing she might deteriorate if she isn't given attention immediately.
Julia was surprised by his change in attitude, not as surprised as Natalie. Was this the same Nicholas everyone knew?