Chapter 61 DEEP DOWN

Chapter 61 DEEP DOWN
THANE
She didn't say anything. She only gave me a small nod. Her eyes drifted away, and before she could look elsewhere, my fingers caught her chin. “Don't you dare look away, Nin,” I snapped, but I managed to keep my voice steady. “Fcking say it to my face.”
For a moment, she remained silent. Her throat worked as she swallowed, then finally, her lips parted. “I'm sorry.”
I scoffed and released her chin. My hand dragged through my damp hair as I stepped back, putting enough distance between us to control the anger clawing inside me. Because I swear, if I didn't, I would've lost it.
I could believe it if anyone else had done this. But Nina? She was the last person I would've expected.
“Why?” I asked quietly. “You knew better than anyone how fcked up this was, and you still did it.” I laughed bitterly. “Fck. I can't believe I'm even saying this.”
“Gosh, Thane. I already feel like sht. I don't need you making it worse.” She ran a frustrated hand through her hair and started pacing around the table.
“I blamed you for giving up on us as if it meant nothing. Then you just moved on so quickly, like everything we had didn't matter. So yes, I was angry. And I'm sorry I let myself become this stupid.”
I swallowed hard and dropped into the chair behind me, rubbing both hands over my face before leaning my head back. I didn't trust myself to speak. Not when every word in my head felt like it would come out wrong.

RACHEL
“Are you sure you want me to leave?” I asked Mum softly as she rested her head against the hospital bed, a slight frown forming on her face.
The doctor had already said she needed to stay overnight, and I hated the thought of leaving her alone, especially when a part of me still felt responsible for why she was here in the first place.
“I said, I'm fine, hon.” She reached for my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I don't want you cramping yourself in here. I hate being in this place too, but it's only for one night.” A small smile touched her lips. “Perhaps you should stay over at Jenna's, since Thane won't be sleeping at home.”
I forced a smile and nodded. I lied about that part to her because I didn't even know where Thane had gone after what happened earlier.
And honestly, I wasn't sure I could've stayed in the same house with him tonight. After that way he'd treated me, I wouldn't be able to survive the night still remembering it.
For some reason, I had started getting used to it, and that realization terrified me. He'd pushed me away over and over again whenever he was hurting, and somehow, I had gotten used to being the one left behind. The terrible part was I always found a way to excuse him.
I pressed my lips together, trying to force my thoughts down. Mum's gaze shifted to Jay, who was standing quietly near the door.
“Thank you so much for staying behind, Jae Hyun.”
That was probably the third time she'd thanked him tonight. Jay simply nodded politely. He'd barely spoken since Mum woke up, and I was only now noticing how he had stayed near the doorway the entire time.
“You two should drive safely,” Mum added.
“I'll come back first thing in the morning,” I promised before leaning down to give her one last hug.
“Mmm…” Mum tapped my back gently. “Now, that's enough,” she said softly.
I didn't pull away immediately. That hug felt like the only thing keeping me together at the moment, and I wasn't ready to let go just yet. Eventually, I stepped back.
“Alright. Bye,” I whispered before making my way out.
Outside, the weather was freezing. I didn't want to make it obvious that I was cold, especially with Jay watching, so I resisted the urge to rub my arms.
The moment he got into the car first, I quickly rubbed my palms together, trying to bring some warmth back into my fingers before climbing in after him.
He inserted the key into the ignition but paused. Then he slowly pulled off his sweater. “You didn't have to pretend you weren't cold,” he said softly, holding it out to me.
I bit my lower lip, realizing he'd noticed anyway. The problem wasn't the sweater. It was the awkwardness of being alone with Jay now, without hearing Thane's words in the back of my mind.
Those words still echoed like a drumbeat in my head. No matter how much I tried to push them away, they kept coming back.
“Take it, Rach. I need to drive,” he urged gently.
“Thank you,” I muttered, taking it from him.
He started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, merging onto the main road. But somewhere deep down, I knew I wanted the truth.
Who was Ciara? What exactly happened to her? And what was the secret behind her death that had broken Thane so badly?