Chapter 106: Chapter 106

''If it doesn't break your heart, it isn't love.'' www.relatably.com

Claire's POV

I don't know where I was, but after struggling to wake up, I finally could open my groggy eyes and take a look at where I was.

The white walls and white bed and sheets were a clear indication that I was in a hospital. My throat felt parched and I looked around at mom sitting by my stool, dozing off. To my utter astonishment, I saw dad lying on the sofa and Stefan sitting on a chair, with his eyes closed. What time was it? Why was everyone sleeping? How long was I unconscious?

My movements must have woken up mom and she looked at me with concern and hope. "Oh sweetie you're awake," she said and dad suddenly woke up and sat upright. Stefan stood up and rushed towards me.

"Water," I croaked and mom brought a glass of water to my lips to sip. Dad went to call the doctor.

Aunt Emily, aunt Sarah, and uncle Kevin rushed in too. I stared at everyone with wide eyes wondering why were they so worried! What had happened to me?

"She has finally opened her eyes," said aunt Emily as a sob escaped her and she broke down completely. Aunt Sarah comforted her when the door opened suddenly and the doctor came in with dad.

"Please wait outside. I need to check her. Only one person can stay," said the doctor sternly. Everyone left and mom stayed back, holding onto my hand.

The doctor checked my vitals and shook his head with disapproval. "What were you doing to yourself? Do you have anorexia?" the doctor asked in a stern voice.

"N-no," I said scared.

"She doesn't have any such problems doctor. She's a happy girl. We were planning her wedding," said mom but a sob escaped me and they both turned towards me. I wanted to tell her so badly that I didn't want to get married to anyone but couldn't utter a single word. My throat seemed choked with raw emotions and I just watched them warily.

"Okay, don't get upset. Let me check up on you," he asked as he checked me.

"How long was I unconscious, doctor?" I asked.

"Four days," he answered as he checked my eyes, mouth, and chest. I was shocked to hear that I was lying unconscious in a hospital for four days.

"She's fine so far, but we need to keep her under 24 hours observation before releasing her," said the doctor.

"What happened to her doctor?" asked mom with concern.

"Nervous breakdown from overwork and stress and lack of nutrition," said the doctor as mom sat down in shock.

"Lots of rest, healthy eating, and absolutely zero stress will work wonders. Nothing to worry about," said the doctor while he updated my chart and left. Everyone came in and asked what the doctor said and mom reported everything.

"No staying at the dorm, Claire," said dad as everyone agreed. "She's coming with us back to New York."

"No please dad, I don't want to miss college," I croaked.

"She's coming with me," said aunt Sarah.

"Your hands are already full Sarah, planning Jordan's wedding," mom said.

"She will stay with me like before. Sandy and her babies are well and don't need me anymore," said aunt Emily and everyone agreed. I didn't want to stay with aunt Emily and see Jason every day but it seemed I had no choice.

"No more internship till you finish college," said Uncle Kevin and I agreed.

After some time everyone left and I fell asleep after a healthy meal while Stefan and dad stayed overnight with me.

The next day I was much better. They opened the IV drip and gave me something to eat every two hours. I switched on my mobile and saw many calls from different numbers. Who were they? I was too tired to figure it out, so I switched it off as before. Dad and Stefan went home to freshen up when mom and aunt Emily arrived.

Mom called gran and made me talk to her. She cried when she heard my voice. I spoke to my brothers too as they too were worried but couldn't come to California due to school.

Jason was so busy with his new girlfriend that he couldn't even ask after me knowing that I was hospitalized. I tried to smile and be happy with mom and aunt Emily. They could sense something was wrong with me but they didn't ask and I was thankful.

The doctor checked me regularly and I was waiting for the moment when he would release me. I know that I wouldn't be allowed to stay at the dorm but that's where I wanted to hide and nurse my broken heart. Aunt Sarah and uncle Kevin also came to see me during the day.

"Don't stress and overwork yourself, sweetheart. I want you to be healthy and happy. I can't wait to make you my daughter officially," she said but I burst into tears.

How could I tell them that I didn't want to marry Jason? They were so caring and loved me so much, that it would break their hearts.

So I controlled my outburst. "I'm sorry for troubling everyone. It won't happen again," I said in a small voice.

"Oh, no trouble at all but yes, you did scare us," said aunt Emily. "Thankfully I reached there just in time," she said as the others agreed.

Dad came back and got my discharge papers. He and uncle Kevin completed all the formalities and they all took me to a limousine waiting for us.

My stuff was already shifted from my dorm room to aunt Emily's house and we straight away headed there. My heart constricted thinking about how I would face Jason now. At that point, I just wanted to go far away from everyone and hide but aunt Emily seemed determined to heal me. Obviously, she had no idea that the wounds in my soul couldn't be healed, not even with time. All my life I have loved only one person and I couldn't recover from the heartbreak he gave me.