Page 57 of Doctor Second Chance

"I've also been in contact with the hospital team there, trying to help interpret her scans and consulting. All of this to say, it's been intense. That's not an excuse for not coming to see you, but it's part of why I've been so scattered."

Her eyes seem to have shifted somewhat. They were hostile and piercing when I first sat down, but now they seem softer. She still hasn’t said anything except reacting to the news about Ari. The constant beeping from her heart monitor is the only sound besides our breathing.

I lean in slightly, my voice low and earnest. "I should have asked you if you were involved with someone before all this. You know what they say happens when you assume. Of course, it's okay if you are. It's just... with all the emotions from you waking up from the coma, the stress of that, our conversation earlier that day about possibly dating, and everything else going on in my life... I wasn't able to make unemotional decisions. I didn't act like a mature adult, and I'm sorry."

I pause, searching her face for any reaction. "I know I messed up, Elle. I hope you can forgive me. If nothing else, I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want you absent from my life again.”

I sit in silence, the weight of my words hanging in the air. The room feels impossibly small, the beeping of Elle's heart monitor suddenly deafening in the quiet. The pale green walls seem to close in, and the harsh fluorescent light casts strange shadows across Elle's face.

My heart pounds as I wait for her response. Each second feels like an eternity. The clock on the wall ticks relentlessly, marking the passage of time that seems to stretch on forever. I can hear my own breathing, shallow and quick.

After what must have been only a minute but felt like hours, I started to stand slowly. My legs feel weak and unsteady. "I appreciate you letting me explain," I say softly. “Again, I’m sorry for everything and for the late hour. I'll let you rest."

Elle’s hand shoots out as I begin to rise, grabbing mine. The touch sends a jolt through me, and I freeze.

"Shep," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "Wait."

I sink back into the chair, my eyes locked on hers.

"I was so angry," she begins, her voice trembling slightly. "I thought... I thought you'd left me again without a second glance or thought about me. It brought all that old pain right back." She takes a shaky breath. "I was opening myself up after everything, and then you just disappeared. I was angry and hurt."

Her words hit me like a physical blow. I squeeze her hand gently, feeling the weight of our shared history and the pain I've caused her.

I gently wipe away the tear rolling down Elle's cheek, my heart aching at the sight of her pain. Her skin is soft under my fingertips, and I resist the urge to cup her face in my hands.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "I never meant to hurt you again."

Elle takes a shaky breath, her eyes meeting mine. "The man you saw... he was my boyfriend. In the past." She emphasizes the last part, and I feel a weight lift from my chest. "We've been broken up for months now."

I nod, encouraging her to continue.

"When he heard about the coma, he drove up here unsolicited. At the time, I still hadn't woken up." Elle's voice is soft, tinged with gratitude and regret. "He's a good guy, Shep. He truly cares about me."

I swallow hard, pushing down the lingering jealousy. "I understand. Anyone who cares about you would have done the same."

Elle squeezes my hand. "But we aren't together anymore. That's settled. It has been for a while now."

Relief washes over me, followed quickly by guilt for feeling relieved. I take a deep breath, trying to sort through the jumble of emotions coursing through me.

"I should have asked you," I admit. "Instead of assuming and pulling away. With everything in my life, it was like I found it safer not to acknowledge the painful things than confront them, so I retreated. I’m sorry for that, Elle. You deserve better."

I lean down, unable to resist the magnetic pull between us any longer. My lips meet Elle's in a passionate kiss, years of pent-up emotion pouring out. Her hand finds its way to the back of my neck, pulling me closer, and I'm lost in the sensation.

My heart races, pounding so hard I swear Elle must feel it. Every nerve in my body is on fire, and I’m hyper-aware of her touch, her taste, and her scent. It's intoxicating and overwhelming in the best possible way. I cup her face gently, marveling at how perfectly she fits against me like we were always meant to be this close.

My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions: relief that she’s okay, guilt for doubting her, and joy at this unexpected second chance or third chance, or whatever this is.

But mostly, I’m struck by how right this feels—like coming home after years of wandering.

I deepen the kiss, savoring every moment. My body responds instinctively, leaning in closer, craving more contact. A warmth spreads through me, from my core to the tips of my fingers. It's desire, yes, but also something deeper—a sense of completeness I haven't felt in years.

As we kiss, the world fades away. The beeping machines, the sterile hospital smell, the weight of our complicated past—it all disappears. There's only Elle, only this moment, only us.

NINETEEN

Elle

11:56 pm

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