Hospital Room – Day
*(Hasan, after calling Jack, prepares to leave the hospital in a hurry. Jack rushes in shortly after, his face full of worry. As he enters Ash's room, Robert quietly slips out, giving them privacy. Jack approaches Ash's bedside, but she remains silent, her gaze fixed on the window. Jack takes a deep breath and starts to speak, his voice filled with guilt.)
Jack: (softly) Ash, I'm so sorry. I had no idea… I never wanted this to happen. Please, forgive me.
*(Ash finally turns her head to face him, her expression cold and distant.)
Ash: (calm but firm) You don't understand what I'm going through, Jack. You're too busy with your work. Maybe you should just go back to the office. I need time alone.
*(Jack is taken aback, guilt washing over him, but before he can respond, Robert re-enters the room.)
Robert: (calming tone) Jack, listen. It's not just about today. She's been bullied at the university because of your marriage. And when she came to your office earlier, the receptionist didn't even let her in. That's why she's upset.
*(Jack's eyes widen in frustration and disbelief.)
Jack: (defensive) My phone was in my office, Robert. I was stuck in a meeting. If I had known she was there, do you think any of this would've happened? I would've dropped everything and been there for her.
Robert: (calming him down) I understand, Jack. Just take a breath. She's been through a lot today, and so have you.
*(Jack sits down, running a hand through his hair, visibly upset. He turns to Robert with a pleading look.)
Jack: Why didn't you tell me about the accident earlier? I should've been here from the start.
Robert: (sighing) She asked me not to tell you. She needed space. But you found out anyway... How did you hear about it?
Jack: (confused) Some police guy called me while I was about to eat lunch. He was... pretty angry, almost rude. Told me what happened and gave me the room number.
*(Robert nods, realizing it must have been Hasan. He watches Jack, who looks heartbroken and desperate.)
Jack: (softly, almost pleading) You know how much I love her, Robert. I would never let anything happen to her. I just… I don't know if she'll forgive me for not being there when she needed me the most.
*(Robert places a hand on Jack's shoulder.)
Robert: Give her some time, Jack. She's overwhelmed. Show her that you're here now, and that you're willing to fight for her. That's all she needs right now.
*(Jack nods, taking a deep breath, determined to make things right with Ash.)
Ash's Hospital Room – Evening
*(Robert quietly leaves the hospital, both to give Jack and Ash space and because it had been a long day. He had wanted to speak with Hasan again, but when he went to his room, he found it empty—Hasan had already left. Sighing, Robert exits the hospital, planning to meet Hasan another time.)
Cut to: Ash's Hospital Room
*(Jack is sitting beside Ash, looking concerned. He watches her, but she remains quiet, staring out the window. After a moment, Jack breaks the silence.)
Jack: (softly) Ash… what do you want to eat? I can get you anything.
Ash: (quiet, distant) Nothing.
*(Just then, a nurse enters the room with a tray of porridge. She smiles kindly as she places it on the table beside Ash.)
Nurse: Here's something light, dear. Try to eat a little, it'll help you recover.
*(Ash glances at the porridge but turns her head away, refusing to eat. Jack's worry deepens as he watches her.)
Jack: (gently) Ash, please… you need to eat something.
*(Ash remains silent, her frustration growing. Meanwhile, Jack's phone starts buzzing again. He glances at it but hesitates to answer. After a few more calls, Ash's patience snaps.)
Ash: (angrily) Just answer your damn phone or leave, Jack! I can't take it anymore!
*(Jack, seeing how upset she is, sighs and turns his phone off entirely.)
Jack: I'm not leaving. I'm here for you, no matter what.
*(Jack, still dressed in his suit, shifts uncomfortably. He's clearly exhausted from sitting all day. His eyes are tired, and he looks pale from stress and hunger. Ash notices this and her frustration softens slightly.)
Ash: (softly) You should rest, Jack. You look exhausted.
*(As Jack stands up, intending to stretch, he suddenly wobbles and collapses to the floor. Ash screams in panic.)
Ash: (yelling) Help! Someone, help!
*(Doctors and nurses rush into the room. The doctor quickly assesses Jack, checking his pulse and vitals.)
Doctor: (calmly) He's fine, don't worry. It looks like he fainted from exhaustion and hunger. He hasn't been eating or resting. He needs to take care of himself, too.
*(The doctor stands up, motioning for the nurses to help Jack back to a chair. As the room calms down, Ash watches Jack with a mixture of guilt and concern. Once the medical staff leaves, Ash takes a deep breath, her voice softening.)
Ash: (guilty) I'm sorry… I didn't realize you hadn't eaten.
*(She picks up her phone and quietly orders food for Jack. When the food arrives, Jack tries to refuse.)
Jack: (stubbornly) I'm not eating unless you eat with me.
Ash: (sighing) Fine. We'll eat together.
*(They sit in silence as they share the meal, both exhausted but connected in their shared moment. After finishing, Jack leans back in the chair, visibly more relaxed but still concerned for Ash.)
Jack: (softly) Thank you.
*(Ash nods, feeling the tension between them ease, if only slightly. After a quiet moment, they both rest, sharing a small, quiet peace for the first time in a while.)
Ash's Hospital Room – Night
*(Ash and Jack are sitting together after finishing their meal. The tension between them still lingers, but the silence is comforting. Ash takes a deep breath, breaking the quiet.)
Ash: (softly, hesitating) I didn't mean to worry you, Jack. But… what happened at your office made everything worse. I just wanted to talk to you, to tell you how I was feeling, but your employees… they treated me like I didn't belong. It made it all so much harder.
*(Jack's eyes widen with guilt as he listens, realizing how deeply it affected her.)
Jack: (genuinely apologetic) I'm so sorry, Ash. I had no idea. That receptionist… I'll fire her. I swear. No one should ever make you feel like that. From now on, I'll personally introduce you to everyone at the office. You'll never be stopped from seeing me again.
*(Ash looks down, feeling a mix of relief and regret. She shakes her head.)
Ash: I should've just asked you first. But when you didn't pick up your phone… I felt like I didn't know where to turn. I was frustrated, and I let it get the best of me.
Jack: (leaning forward, determined) I promise, Ash. From now on, no matter what happens, I'll pick up my phone. You'll never have to feel like that again.
*(They share a long look, both knowing that while things aren't perfect, they're taking steps to mend what's been broken. Jack reaches out, gently taking Ash's hand.)
Jack: We're in this together, Ash. No more miscommunication, no more feeling alone.
*(Ash squeezes his hand, her expression softening.)
Ash: We'll figure this out together.
*(They both smile, a sense of renewed hope between them. Though there are still challenges ahead, they feel closer and more united than they have in a long time.)
Hospital – Late Night
*(Ash is sitting up in her hospital bed, looking uncomfortable. Jack stands beside her, his phone in hand as he makes arrangements. He looks over at Ash, concern still evident in his eyes.)
Ash: (frustrated) Jack, I don't want to stay here any longer. I just… I want to go home.
*(Jack nods, already one step ahead of her.)
Jack: I understand. I've already arranged for a medical team to take care of you at home. You won't have to stay here anymore.
*(Ash looks relieved, but there's still a flicker of tension in her eyes.)
Ash: Thank you… I just can't deal with all of this. And those bullies… it's too much.
*(Jack's expression hardens with determination.)
Jack: I've already hired an investigation team. They're going to find those bullies, Ash. And not just for you. I'm setting up a service to help anyone who gets bullied. They'll have a place to turn to, and the people responsible will face consequences.
*(Ash's eyes soften, appreciating Jack's protective nature.)
Ash: You're doing all of this… for me?
Jack: (smiling softly) Of course. You deserve to feel safe and supported, Ash. I'll make sure of it.
*(With that, Jack gently leans over, carefully lifting Ash into his arms. She rests her head on his shoulder as he carries her out of the hospital room. Tom and Harry, standing in the hallway, watch in quiet respect as Jack passes by with Ash.)
Ash: (whispering) You don't have to carry me, Jack. I can walk.
Jack: (smirking lightly) I know. But I want to.
*(He takes her down to the car, gently placing her inside. The driver, Kevin, is waiting at the door, ready to take them home. Jack slides into the back seat beside Ash, his hand resting protectively on hers.)
Kevin: Ready to head home, sir?
Jack: Yes, let's go.
*(The car pulls away from the hospital, leaving behind the chaos of the day. Ash leans into Jack, feeling a sense of peace as they head home, knowing that things will get better from here.)