- Aiden

I couldn't remember how long I'd been sitting in the waiting room; my vision was blurry, and I hadn't eaten in at least 12 hours.

"Here," Leah said, handing me a styrofoam cup full of hot coffee.

"Thank you," I said graciously. She took a seat next to me and seemed to have a question for me. I moved my gaze hither.

"I am sorry for what Mike did, had I known he was involved with....all this. I am sorry." She apologized.
"It's not your fault, it's all because of my dad." I looked down at the brown liquid.
"I will try my best to get Mike out," I said, assuring her.

"That isn't necessary; Mike must pay for his crimes. Just look after Sydney." She stated it with a faint smile.

When the operating room door opened, I dashed over to Dr. Matt.

"We've done everything we can, but she's fallen into a coma. It's now entirely up to her to get up whenever she wants." Matt stated solemnly.

"NO! You assured her that everything would be fine! I want my wife back!" I yelled.

"Calm down Aiden! Just talk to her, maybe she will wake up sooner." Matt said.

He was correct; it was now entirely up to Sydney.
Detective Conan arrived later to take our statements and handed me that troublesome DVD.
I gave him an astonished look.

"I saw it, it's not crucial for this case. You can keep it." He said.

"But...it has my dad's…" I could not continue.

"Your dad as well as the victims are all dead now. There is no point digging up the past. Also, I reckon it's not right to punish children for the sins of their father. You have already suffered enough." He smiled.

"Thank you, detective, I owe you one," I replied, holding the disc.

He walked away after patting my arm. I stayed by Sydney's bedside for the following several days, talking to her.

*************
Sydney

I just recall a swirl of scorching lights and anguish, as well as faces leaning over my shoulder, wondering how I was doing. I was miserable, and I'm quite sure I told them so repeatedly. I floated from then on, only complaining when things became so excruciating that even my narcotic-induced numbness couldn't help. I had the sensation of floating on clouds. I occasionally sensed a touch or heard a voice.

"Go to sleep, sweetheart. I promise I'll be here when you wake up."

I returned to my blissful slumber. I would sometimes wake up screaming in anguish. Then I fell asleep again. The next time I opened my eyes, I was confronted by a bright white wall. It was a beautiful sunny day, and everything seemed to glow. When I turned to my right, I saw Leah slumped in a chair. I was disappointed because I had hoped to see Aiden.

"Sydney! You woke up, she ran towards me. Oh, God! Let me call the doctor. How are you feeling?" She asked everything in one breath.

I said gently, "Better, but still exhausted." My oxygen mask was still wrapped over my lips and nose. "Aiden?"
"Let me phone him, he's just gone out for some work..."

"No, it's fine! Don't disturb him. " I mumbled, but she had already dialled his number and was excitedly jabbering into the phone.

I leant back in my bed and closed my eyes. Would he be upset with me for running away ? I might not have been kidnapped, and Aiden might not have been in danger, if I hadn't acted stupidly.

"He'll be here in 20 minutes," Leah said as she hung up the phone.

"How long had I been gone?" I inquired.

"You were in a coma for two weeks." She sat down next to me and whispered. "You scared the hell out of us." She gave a faint smile.

"How's Mike doing?" I inquired, cautiously.

Her smile faded as she lowered her gaze.

"He'll be charged soon in court."
"It was entirely my fault. That day, I met Mike; I should've phoned Aiden and informed him of his plans; he might have prevented him from visiting his warehouse. But I couldn't think since I was too distressed by my emotions..."

"Don't blame yourself; it wasn't your fault," she sighed.

For a short period, I was silent.

"I would ask Aiden to do something for Mike," I said.

"He is already doing a lot, he has hired one of the top lawyers to represent him. Even though Mike was very much a victim in this case because I was being held hostage, he nevertheless did those things. He must pay for his mistakes." Leah said with a serious expression. "He will most likely get the maximum 5 years jail sentence with parole," she explained.

"However, a criminal record would jeopardise his future," I lamented.

"That's inevitable, don't stress over it. I am already ashamed of what he has done. I always said to him that his affair with Rob would someday get him into trouble." She looked down sadly.

Though I had met Rob just a few times, I couldn't get the image of his slumped, bloody body out of my mind.

"How is his wife?" I inquired.

"She didn't know it was Mike who was having an affair with Rob. But she was devastated when she was told about Rob's death. She had no idea about her husband's involvement either. The media tried to hound her, but Aiden whisked them away to hide in one of his homes. They will cope with them eventually. Rob was heavily insured, so his family wouldn't have to suffer." Leah explained.

Aiden seems to have a lot on his plate. I was exhausted and wanted to go back to sleep, but I needed to wait for Aiden. Leah told me everything about that night. Eric's resentment, Aiden's father's wrongdoings. I felt bad for Eric, but he had no right to take out his grudge on innocent people.

"Hey!" His voice made me turn my head. He was standing near the door frame, slightly leaning on it. He was dressed in a charcoal grey suit, which meant he had rushed straight from work.

"Oh! Hi Aiden," Leah waved brightly at him. Then I got up from my side.

He approached me and sat in the chair that Leah had abandoned.

"How are you doing today?" While placing kisses on my fingers, he inquired.

I said, "I'm fine." Leah quietly exited my room, leaving us alone. For a while, we remained silent.

"Why did you save me that night?" He asked, slowly.

"At the moment, it felt like the correct thing to do. If something happened to you, your grandfather would be devastated," I said.

He nodded, a little disappointed.

"How's Grandpa, by the way?" I inquired.

"He's all right. He came to see you this morning, " he responded. There was another awkward wait before I eventually broke the silence.

"Dealing with the past at this age must be difficult for Grandpa."

"Grandpa is strong, he is one of the strongest people I know. He is doing well. Things have been a bit crazy. But I am glad to have you back. If something had happened to you... I would never have forgiven myself. I am sorry for my behaviour." He looked miserable, his eyes had dark shadows around them.

I muttered, "Let's not talk about it."

"I'm exhausted. Do you mind if I return to sleep?" I inquired, yawning.

"Of course not, darling. Get some rest." He stood up and kissed my brow.