Anastasia blinked slowly due to the bright light in the room burning her eyes. Everything felt foggy like she was still stuck in dream. Her head pounded, and her body felt very heavy. She tried to lift her hand but stopped when she saw the IV sticking out of her arm. All she heard at the time was a soft beeping sound, and she felt the ventilator attached to her with many other straight pipes. Her heart sank. What the hell happened?
A dark, uneasy thought hit her like a ton of bricks. Am I dead? Did I end up in hell?
Her dry lips moved, trying to form words. "Where am I?"
A voice, familiar and comforting, broke her thoughts. "Ana, it's me."
"Warren?" she murmured, trying to recognize his face. She felt like her head was spinning, trying to make sense of what was happening.
"Yeah, I'm here," he said gently, and she felt his hand wrap around hers. "You're in the hospital, but you're going to be okay."
"How did…" She tried to ask, but it took everything she had just to get those two words out.
"Shhhh, don't worry. I'll tell you whatever you want to know when you wake up again. Just rest for now okay?" Warren whispered.
Sleep pulled at her and her eyes were getting to heavy to keep open. As she slowly drifted back to sleep, the feeling of Warren's hand still in hers provided much needed comfort.
Warren's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen and realised Billy had just made it to the hospital with Rose. Billy had wanted to be there sooner, but Rose insisted he pick her up first. Warren sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Bas—Warren," Billy stammered, but grimaced as he catching himself just in time. Warren felt a rush of adrenalin as his face was stricken with panic, but he quickly masked it. Thankfully, Rose was too distracted with worry over Anastasia to notice.
"Is she okay?" Rose asked as her eyes were wide with fear making Warren look at her warmly, admiring the love she had for Anastasia, not caring about anything else in that moment.
"She's okay, Rosie. She's in the ICU, but she's going to be okay," he assured her.
Rose didn't wait for more details. She shot past them sprinting to be by Anastasia's side.
Bastian who has been disguising himself as Warren, watched her go, then turned to Billy, his expression darkening. "You almost blew it, man," he muttered under his breath.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry. It's just… I was so freaked out, and Rose's anxiety didn't help. I've never seen her like that, man," Billy winced, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yeah, I get it." Bastian's irritation eased a little. He understood. They were all on edge.
Billy looked at him closely, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "So, how the hell did you get there so fast? I was pushing 80 the whole way, and you still beat me."
That moment replayed in Bastian's mind. The fact that he had arrived in time was a mystery to him. "Man, I'm not sure. I simply... -"Bastian shook his head and replied, "I had to get there."
His thoughts wandered back to the rooftop, how he saw Anastasia's face so pale and hearing her final words she had uttered before and after tumbling into his arms which made his spine tingle at the mere thought.
Billy's brows shot up. "Wait, hold up. The last thing she thought about was you? Oh, man. This is bad."
Bastian frowned, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"You're not letting her go, are you?" Billy asked, raising an eyebrow like he already knew the answer.
Bastian didn't even hesitate. "Nope."
"Dude, you're gonna mess her up. You know the rules. You know what happens if you get too close." Billy let out a frustrated sigh.
"I'm not trying to make her fall in love with me again," Bastian argued, his voice low. "She's been through enough already. After I… left, she jumped into another relationship to fill that empty space in her heart, and look how that turned out. I'm not going to push her into anything else. If I have to love her from a distance, then fine. My only desire is to be there for her in her hour of need."
Billy, obviously not persuaded, shook his head. "Man, you're putting yourself in a world of hurt. That is all I have to say.
The sound of rushing footsteps cut through them before Bastian could reply. Wyatt and Matt were rushing toward them, their faces tight with worry.
"Where is she?" Matt asked, guilt heavy in his voice.
"She's in the ICU. Come on, I'll take you to her," Billy said, nodding toward the doors. As they walked, Warren glared at Billy. Why the hell did you call him? He thought angrily. He's the reason Ana's in this mess in the first place!
'He's her brother, Bas. He has a right to be here,' Billy responded, his thoughts calm but firm.
Despite his sneer and clenched jaw, Bastian followed them. At this point, there wasn't much he could do.
Wyatt ran to his daughter's side as soon as they entered Anastasia's room. "Ana!" As he bent over and embraced her, his voice broke with passion. "My sweet, sweet girl."
Anastasia opened her eyes and stirred. "Dad," she said in a scarcely discernible whisper. She began to cry as tears filled her eyes. "I am so, so sorry."
Wyatt held her tightly, kissing the top of her head. "It's okay, sweetheart. I'm here. Everything's going to be okay now."
Rose, Billy, Bastian, and Matt stood off to the side, watching the emotional reunion. However, Matt was the one who ultimately came forward, a guilty expression on his face. Rose gave him a chilly glance and stepped aside to allow him to pass.
"Ana," Matt stretched for her hand and spoke in a shaky voice. "I'm so sorry. For everything. Please forgive me."
With tears still trickling down her cheeks, Anastasia glanced up at her brother. She extended her arm to embrace him. "Don't worry, Matty, I love you and there is nothing to forgive."
"I love you too, Ana. I never meant to hurt you." Matt broke down while hugging her tightly.
"I know," she whispered holding him just as tight.
Wyatt wiped his eyes and pulled back slightly, his expression serious. "Ana, what happened? Why were you on that rooftop?"
The events of the night still foggy in her mind so Anastasia hesitated, but before she could answer Warren spoke up.
"She found out something that upset her," he said quickly. "She had a little too much to drink, and when we found her, she was on the ledge. She lost her balance, but luckily I got to the roof and when I saw her about to fall, I ran towards her and I caught her arm just in time."
Anastasia blinked staring at him in surprise as she listened to him covering for her. Bastian's eyes met hers, silently telling her to go along with it.
"Warren… you saved me?" she asked softly, her voice filled with disbelief.
"He sure did," Billy added with a proud smile. "We broke a few speed limits getting here, but we made it."
Anastasia's heart swelled with gratitude. Warren, aka Bastian, had been there for her when she needed him most, and she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of appreciation for him. He was always there, no matter what.
Wyatt's brow furrowed in concern. "Are you hurt? Did the doctors check you out properly?"
Bastian answered for her. "She was unconscious when we found her, but they examined her thoroughly. No concussion, but they had to pump her stomach. She drank more than she could handle."
Wyatt nodded, but his worry didn't fade. "What upset you so much that you got that drunk?"
Anastasia's eyes darted toward the door just as it opened. Dylan and Britney walked in, hand in hand. Her face went pale, and everyone in the room noticed.
Britney looked guilty as hell, while Dylan just seemed confused, like he didn't understand the tension in the room.
Bastian clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing. Billy looked ready to throw a punch, and even Matt's expression darkened with anger. Rose's face turned red, her fury barely contained.
Wyatt, catching onto the shift in energy, turned to see Dylan and Britney standing there, holding hands like nothing was wrong.
"Britney," Wyatt said, his voice dangerously calm. "Care to explain why you're holding Dylan's hand?"