Alive

"Why do I feel this way?" Isabella murmured to herself, confusion etching her features. She opened her eyes to see a nurse hovering over her, gently wiping her face with a damp towel.

Startled by Isabella's voice, the nurse turned toward her, her eyes widening in surprise. "You're awake!" she exclaimed, her fingers moving swiftly to press the emergency button beside the bed.

The shrill sound of the alarm echoed through the room, and within moments, the door burst open as Doctor Jerry and Gabriel rushed in. "What's happening?" Doctor Jerry demanded, his gaze sweeping over Isabella as he moved to her side. Gabriel stood just behind him, his brow furrowed with concern.

Isabella struggled against the stiffness in her limbs, her heart pounding with confusion and fear. "What's going on? Why do I feel so stiff?" she asked, her voice trembling, her eyes darting between Doctor Jerry and Gabriel. The events leading up to this moment were a blur, and fear gnawed at the edges of her consciousness.

Doctor Jerry's warm smile offered a glimmer of reassurance as he approached her bedside. "Isabella, you've been in a coma for over a year," he explained gently, his tone filled with empathy. "Your body's stiffness is a natural effect of being unconscious for so long. But you're awake now, and you're safe."

Isabella's eyes widened in disbelief as she processed the doctor's words. "A year...?" she whispered, her mind reeling at the revelation.

Gabriel stepped forward, his expression soft but concerned. "It's true, Isabella," he confirmed, his voice quiet but steady. "You've been through a lot, but you're here, and you're alive."

Tears welled up in Isabella's eyes as a surge of emotions hit her. "Am I okay? Am I really going to be okay?" she asked, her voice choked with emotion.

Doctor Jerry nodded reassuringly. "Yes, Isabella. You're going to be okay," he affirmed. "The test results has shown that you've healed from the injuries you sustained. We've been waiting for you to wake up, and now that you have, we can begin your recovery journey."

"So... I'm alive," Isabella whispered to herself, her voice filled with disbelief and relief. Doctor Jerry turned to the nurse, a sense of urgency in his eyes. "Help Isabella sit up, please," he instructed, his tone gentle yet firm. The nurse nodded and carefully assisted Isabella into a more upright position, adjusting the pillows behind her for comfort.

Once Isabella was settled, Doctor Jerry turned his attention back to her. "Isabella, you've been unconscious for a long time, and we'll need to start some walking exercises soon to assess your mobility post-coma," he explained, his tone reassuring. "But for now, you need to rest and regain your strength. You've been through a lot, and your body needs time to recover."

Isabella nodded, her mind swirling with emotions and questions. "Thank you, Doctor Jerry," she murmured, her gaze shifting toward Gabriel, who stood nearby, his eyes filled with concern and relief. But then she smiled at him and he smiled back. Their shared smiles conveyed unspoken reassurance, a silent understanding passing between them.

Doctor Jerry glanced at the nurse and then back at Isabella. "I'll leave you two for now to catch up," he said, gesturing for the nurse to accompany him out of the room. The nurse nodded and quietly exited, leaving Isabella and Gabriel alone in the quiet hospital room, the soft hum of medical equipment providing a gentle backdrop to their conversation.

As Gabriel moved closer to Isabella, concern etched into his face, he gently inquired, "How are you feeling, Isabella?" Her eyes met his again, reflecting gratitude and uncertainty. "I'm doing fine," she replied softly, tapping the bed beside her, silently asking him to sit, which he did without hesitation.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, unspoken words hanging in the air. Isabella's gaze held emotions and relief at seeing Gabriel, but also a lingering question that had been weighing on her.

Finally, she broke the silence. "There's something I need to ask you," she began, her voice hesitant. Gabriel's expression softened, encouraging her to continue. "I waited for your help while I was in prison," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. "I prayed for you to come to my aid... Why did you come so... late?"

Gabriel's eyes filled with regret as he listened to her question. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before responding. "Isabella, I'm so sorry," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I wish I could have been there for you sooner. I promise to explain everything, but right now, the most important thing is that you're safe. I'm here for you now, and I won't leave your side."

Isabella's eyes searched Gabriel's face, confusion and longing in her gaze. "What happened, Gabriel? tell me" she asked, her voice filled with a yearning for understanding.

Taking a deep breath, Gabriel met her gaze with a solemn expression. "The day after you left Delgado Corporation, I had to leave the country for America to oversee the completion of several car manufacturing projects in my company in America," he explained, his voice tinged with regret.

Returning her gaze, Isabella listened intently as Gabriel continued. "After four months away, I came back to Cabrin City only to receive words of what had happened to you and immediately made my way back to the prison," he recounted, his voice heavy with emotion. "Upon my arrival, I did everything I could to gain access to see you in prison. It took some persuasion, but I managed to bribe the officers into letting me in, and that's when I saw you..." His voice trailed off, the memory of that moment etched into his mind.

Isabella's eyes widened in realization as she absorbed his words, emotions playing across her face. His explanation brought a sense of clarity to the events that had unfolded in her absence, and a wave of gratitude hit her, knowing that he had gone to such lengths to be by her side in her time of need.

Gabriel reached out and gently took Isabella's hand, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I should have been there sooner, Isabella. I'm truly sorry," he murmured, his voice filled with remorse. "But I promise you, from this moment on, I'll do everything in my power to make things right."

Isabella nodded, her eyes searching Gabriel's face as she asked, "What happened after I lost consciousness the second time?"