Royal Crest Hospital. ICU Room 6.
The soft beeping of machines echoed in the whitewashed room.
Jimmy's eyes slowly opened. Blinking. Adjusting.
He groaned as the pain in his shoulder pulsed through his body, but the first word that came out of his mouth wasn't about the pain.
> "Nelly…?"
A nurse gasped. "He's awake!"
Within minutes, Mr. and Mrs. Benson rushed in, followed closely by Edna, Jimmy's older cousin — tall, sharp-eyed, quiet but deeply observant.
Mrs. Benson burst into tears and gripped Jimmy's hand.
> "Oh Jimmy… thank God."
But Jimmy's attention was locked on Edna.
> "Where's Nelly?"
The room froze.
Mr. Benson stiffened. "That girl isn't coming here."
Jimmy's brows furrowed.
> "What? Why?"
Edna stepped closer, voice calm but edged.
> "They blamed her for the shooting. Dad called the police the same night."
Jimmy tried to sit up. "WHAT? That's insane! Nelly didn't do it—she was right beside me!"
> "We know," Edna said. "But no one wanted to hear that."
Jimmy clenched his fists.
> "She needs to be here. I need to see her. You don't understand—"
Edna raised a hand.
> "I do. I saw the way you looked at her."
He paused.
Edna continued, voice steady.
> "But right now, there's more going on. Something ugly. I don't think Julie or Luna are as innocent as they're pretending to be."
> "Then help me clear her name," Jimmy said. "Promise me, Edna. If you believe me—bring her here."
Edna nodded, expression serious.
> "I will. But not through the front door. If I'm bringing her to you… it'll be behind Dad's back."
Jimmy looked him in the eye.
> "Then do it. Please."
Edna gave a sharp nod.
> "Tonight."
---
Outside, Nelly and Omar waited near the hospital gate.
She looked up at the windows.
> "He's awake. I can feel it."
Omar placed a hand on her shoulder.
> "Then hold on. Because someone inside just promised to bring you back in.
Who ? Nelly asked.
Someone.
Ohhh yes 🔥 We love a loyal Edna pulling strings under Mr. Benson's nose. This is the kind of quiet, emotional tension that hits deep. Let's dive into the late-night secret reunion between Jimmy and Nelly.
---
Chapter 28 – Midnight Promise
11:47 p.m. – Royal Crest Hospital
Most of the lights were dimmed. The halls were quiet, the night shift staff whispering as they moved between rooms. Security guards rotated shifts. The ICU wing had a strict no-entry rule — but Edna always found a way.
Down the hallway, a figure in a dark hoodie moved confidently through a staff-only corridor, avoiding the cameras.
It was Nelly.
Edna walked beside her, unbothered, holding a visitor's clipboard.
> "This way. I told the guard at the ICU desk you were family. He didn't ask questions."
Nelly clutched the oversized hoodie tighter around her.
> "Thank you, Edna… for believing me."
Edna glanced at her as they approached Room 6.
> "I didn't at first," he admitted. "But the way Jimmy spoke… I've never seen him fight so hard for someone."
Nelly's steps slowed.
> "Is he okay?"
> "Yeah. Weak, but talking. First thing he asked for was you."
Nelly's chest tightened.
> "How long do I have?"
> "Ten minutes. Maybe fifteen if the nurse stays distracted."
He gave her a look — protective, serious.
> "I'll be just down the hallway. Holler if anything goes wrong."
She nodded.
Edna opened the door.
---
Inside ICU Room 6
Jimmy looked pale, bandaged at the shoulder, an oxygen clip still on his finger. But his eyes lit up the moment she walked in.
> "Nelly..."
She stepped in, quietly shutting the door behind her.
He sat up straighter, wincing.
> "You're here."
Tears stung her eyes. She rushed to his side and gripped his hand gently.
> "I thought I'd never get to see you again."
He chuckled softly.
> "I knew you'd find a way. You're stronger than they think."
They were quiet for a moment, just looking at each other — so much had happened, so fast.
> "I heard what happened," he said. "They blamed you… again."
Nelly lowered her head. "Your dad arrested me like I was a monster. I was in that prison for two days… I thought I was losing my mind."
Jimmy's voice was low. "I'm so sorry, Nelly. I should've protected you."
> "You nearly died, Jimmy. You don't owe me anything."
He reached for her hand again.
> "That's where you're wrong."
She smiled faintly, blinking back tears.
> "Omar helped. He believed me. He bailed me out."
Jimmy gave a tired grin.
> "Omar's solid. But you… you're unbreakable."
> "Not always," she whispered.
A quiet knock tapped at the door — Edna. One minute left.
Nelly looked at Jimmy one last time.
> "We'll find out who really did this."
> "Together," he said firmly.
> "Always," she replied.
She rose to leave, but Jimmy tugged her hand gently.
> "Nelly?"
> "Yeah?"
> "Thank you… for not giving up on me."
She smiled.
Nelly gently stood from her chair, about to leave.
> "We'll find out who really did this."
> "Together," Jimmy said softly.
> "Always."
She turned to go, but—
Jimmy tugged her hand.
Just a gentle pull — but Nelly wasn't expecting it.
Her balance slipped.
> "Whoa—!"
She stumbled forward and landed right on top of him.
Her face hovered inches from his. His lips parted. Her breath caught.
For a heartbeat, the world stood still.
Then—
Their lips met.
It was soft. Unexpected. Warm.
Nelly froze.
Her heart thudded like a drum inside her chest. Her fingers gripped the edge of the hospital blanket. She wanted to pull away but couldn't.
It was her first kiss.
Gentle. Sincere. Completely unplanned.
Jimmy pulled back first, smiling like he'd just seen sunlight.
> "Sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean to—"
> "It's okay," Nelly whispered back, cheeks flaming red. "I... I didn't mind."
They locked eyes again—until a sudden knock snapped them both back to earth.
"One minute left!" came Edna's dry voice from behind the door.
"Don't make me come in there!"
Nelly's eyes went wide. She leapt off Jimmy like she sat on hot coal.
Jimmy just laughed, wincing through it.
> "Well... that was definitely worth the pain."
Nelly covered her face. "I can't believe that just happened."
> "Me neither," he said, eyes still soft. "But I'm glad it did."
She turned back at the door.
> "Get some rest, Jimmy."
> "Come back soon, Nelly."
"I will," she whispered, before slipping out—still blushing, still smiling.
Edna smirked when she stepped into the hallway.
> "Y'all kissed, didn't you?"
> "No, Edna," Nelly muttered, grinning like she just touched heaven.