The first thing I felt was light and a cracked headache.
A faint beam slipping through a half-open curtain, falling gently across my face. It was warm, too warm. My body felt heavy, like I'd been asleep for years, trapped in a dream that refused to let me go. I tried to move, but my limbs didn't respond even my tongue felt dry and my lips cracked.
Where was I?
I blinked hard, forcing my eyes open. The white ceiling came into focus first, then the faint sound of beeping...the slow, steady rhythm of a monitor beside me. The smell of antiseptic filled the air. It hit me all at once.
I was at a hospital.
My chest tightened as I tried to sit up, only for a sharp pain to run through my ribs. I groaned softly and collapsed back against the pillow. I didn't even remember what happened. My mind was foggy… like there were missing pieces scattered across an ocean I couldn't swim.
I turned my head slightly, my eyes scanning the room. Empty. Except...
A figure slumped in the chair by the window. Head tilted and arms crossed... Breathing steady. I smiled "Aec" I called out gently but low that only I could hear myself
For a moment, I thought I was dreaming again. His hair was messy, his face unshaven, but his presence… it was real. He looked exhausted, like he hadn't slept properly in weeks.
Before I could call out to him, the door opened quietly. A nurse stepped in, humming under her breath until her eyes met mine. Her humming stopped abruptly.
"Oh... oh my God," she gasped softly, rushing toward me. "You're awake!"
Then he shifted in his sleep but it wasn't Aec, it was Zion.... I think I was ungrateful but I wasn't happy when it turned out to be Zion, I nearly asked what he was doing here...
The nurses words startled Zion awake. He jerked upright, blinking fast before realization hit him. "Sharon?" His voice cracked as he shot up from the chair and rushed to my side. "You're... you're awake!"
He grabbed my hand like he needed to confirm I was real. His palm was warm, shaking slightly. My eyes darted between him and the nurse, confusion filling my chest.
"What happened?" I rasped. "How long… how long have I been here?"
The nurse smiled gently, adjusting the IV line. "You've been unconscious for a month, dear."
I froze. "A… a month?"
She nodded softly. "You had a terrible accident. It's a miracle you woke up this soon. You're very lucky."
Lucky...
The word echoed in my head, but all I felt was hollow.
My voice trembled. "Who's been… watching over me?"
The nurse smiled faintly. "A lady named Maxie, she said she's your sister and this young man." She gestured toward Zion, who still looked like he was holding his breath. "They've been taking turns every day."
I stared at Zion, my throat tightening. "A month…" I whispered. "I lost a whole month."
Zion squeezed my hand gently. "You scared the hell out of us, Shar."
I tried to smile, but it didn't reach my eyes. "Where's Maxie?"
"She'll be here soon," he said softly. "She went home to get you some clothes."
The nurse checked a few readings, gave me a reassuring smile, and quietly left the room, closing the door behind her. The moment it clicked shut, Zion leaned closer, his voice low and full of worry.
"How are you feeling? Any pain? Dizzy? Hungry?" He was talking fast, words tumbling over each other. "You want water? Should I call the doctor? Maybe..."
"Zion." I cut him off, my voice small but steady. "I'm fine."
He looked at me, guilt flickering in his eyes. "I should've been more careful. I should've..."
"Stop." I forced a weak smile. "It wasn't your fault."
He nodded slowly, though his jaw stayed tight. He was still watching me like I could disappear at any second. My eyes drifted away, to the window, the soft flutter of curtains, the faint buzz of life outside these walls.
My chest ached not from the bruises, not from the accident but from something deeper.
Ace... The absence of his presence made me extremely weak
Even now, half-awake and hurting, his face was the first thing my mind reached for. I hated it. I hated that a part of me still wondered if he'd been here… if he'd asked… if he even cared.
Zion's voice pulled me back. "Hey. You okay?"
I swallowed hard. "Yeah. Just… thinking."
He gave a small nod, trying to smile. But I could see it... it felt like he knew who or what I was thinking about. And he hated that name even without saying it.
---
The door opened again, breaking the silence.
"Sharon!" Maxie's voice cracked as she ran in, her eyes already glistening. Marcus followed behind, looking quieter than usual. The moment Maxie reached me, she threw her arms around my shoulders, sobbing softly against my neck.
"Don't ever do that again," she whispered through shaky breaths. "You almost..." She broke off, wiping her face with her palm. "I was so scared."
I smiled weakly, hugging her back. "I'm sorry."
Marcus stood at the edge of the bed, hands in his pockets, avoiding my eyes. "You look better," he muttered. "That's… good."
We hadn't exactly parted on good terms, but seeing his awkward concern warmed something small inside me. "Thanks," I said quietly.
Zion stepped back, giving us space. The room felt alive again voices, laughter, the soft hum of relief but through it all, there was one presence missing.
One name no one mentioned.
And that silence said everything.
---
After a week of constant checkups and endless "just one more test" from the doctors, I was finally discharged. My legs still felt weak, but at least I could walk again. Zion carried most of my things, fussing like an overprotective parent, while Maxie kept reminding me not to "do anything dramatic."
When we got home, Zion insisted on throwing a small "welcome home" party. Nothing big, just the four of us: me, Maxie, Zion, and Marcus. There were balloons, a simple cake, the kind that normal people would celebrate with joy.
Through out i smiled, I said thank you and laughed when I needed to.
But inside… I was numb.
As they ate and talked, I found myself scrolling through my phone, old messages, missed calls, notifications. My contact list hadn't changed but I knew my life had.
Not one text from Aec, not one call. Not even a message from an unknown number that could have been him.
Nothing.
When the night grew late, Zion and Marcus left after helping Maxie clean up. The house fell quiet again. I sat on the couch, staring at the empty mug in my hands while Maxie moved around the kitchen, humming softly.
I finally asked.
"What changed?"
She turned, brows furrowing. "What do you mean?"
"I mean… it's been a month," I said softly. "What's happened while I was gone?"
Maxie hesitated. "Not much. A few things… but nothing you should stress about."
"Maxie." My voice was quiet but firm. "Tell me."
She sighed, walking over and sitting beside me. "The company's doing fine. Joel asked about you a lot. Everyone misses you."
I nodded, staring at my hands. "And Aec?"
Her silence was louder than any answer.
"Maxie." I looked up at her. "What about him?"
She bit her lip, avoiding my eyes. "Before I say anything… I need to ask you something."
"What?"
"Did you…" she paused, searching my face. "Did you sleep with him that night?"
The question hit me like a punch. My throat closed. "I..." I blinked, words failing. "Yes."
There was no reason to lie to her
She swore under her breath, shaking her head. "Damn it."
My chest tightened. "What is it? What happened?"
Maxie stared at me, eyes full of pity and anger all at once. "You should sit down properly."
"I am sitting down, Maxie," I whispered. "Just tell me."
She looked at me then,she really looked like she wished she didn't have to say it.
"Aec got married."
For a moment, everything went silent. The clock ticked somewhere far away. The sound of my own heartbeat filled the room.
"What?" My voice cracked. "You're… you're joking."
"I wish I was," she said softly. "He married Diana. Last week."
I stared at her, shaking my head. "No. No, that's not possible. He... he wouldn't..."
"He did, Sharon," she said quietly. "And now their companies are merged. One name, just different locations and a little distance apart"
My hands trembled. I didn't realize I was crying until a tear slid down my chin. My voice broke. "Was everyone just waiting for something to go wrong with me? Just one month and everything changed?"
Maxie reached out, but I pulled back, covering my face with my palms.
The silence that followed was suffocating.
After a long pause, she spoke again, her voice softer this time. "That's not all."
I looked up slowly, my heart already bracing for the next hit.
"You've been transferred," she said gently. "To his company. Since they're one now, they're moving staff around. You're supposed to resume after the weekend."
I stared at her in disbelief. "You're kidding."
"I'm not." Her eyes softened. "Just… be careful, okay? Whatever happened between you two… don't let it break you when you see him again."
I let out a shaky laugh, one that wasn't really a laugh at all. "See him again…" I whispered. "Right. Like nothing happened."
She reached for my hand, but I didn't move. I just sat there, staring into the dim light of the room, feeling everything and nothing at once.
The world had moved on without me.
And the man who once made my heart race had already replaced me without even saying goodbye.... But wait... I think I set myself up for disappointment, he had always made things clear that I was a fuck thing...