Chapter 43 REGRET
\[HOSPITAL\]
Blake lay on the bed, unconsciously. His monitor beeped faintly. Drip and wires were connected to his hand and stomach. He just had surgery and a blood transfusion. His breathing was faint. An oxygen mask was worn on him to support his breathing. His ward was filled with lots of fan gifts and letters. They were all praying and wishing for his safe recovery.
Audrey hadn't returned from the police station, and Skye stepped out not long ago. Heavily built guards stayed in the hospital to keep the crazy fans out of the ward.
The door creaked open, and a lady dressed as a doctor walked in. She carefully closed the door but did not bolt it.
She turned to look at Blake, tears sliding down her cheeks. Slowly, she took off the nose mask she was wearing, revealing her face.
Joanna.
She took slow steps towards Blake. She sat in the available chair next to him. She raised her trembling hand and touched his forehead before taking his hand into hers.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled. "So very sorry," she cried, resting her head on his hand.
"I'm so useless. I don't deserve to even see you. It's all my fault," she cried bitterly, her tears falling on the hospital sheets.
She sniffled and raised her head.
"I couldn't muster the courage to come and see both of you. I'm such a coward. You are in this condition because of me. Only because of me," she muttered; using her other hand, she held his hand.
"There wasn't a single day that I didn't miss you and Riele. I'm the worst mother alive," she sniffled. "I... I abandoned my very own kids and ran away from my home." She rubbed his hand softly.
"I can't even show myself to you both. You both probably hate me by now," she muttered, lowering her head to peck his hand. "Forgive me," she whispered.
"She should be punished for her crimes."
Joanna heard some people's voices. Someone was coming into the ward.
She immediately released Blake's hand, stood up, wiped her tears and put on her nose mask.
The door pushed open, and everyone in the room froze.
Joanna's back was turned to them while Audrey and Skye's eyes were on them.
"Who are you?" Audrey asked. "And what are you doing here?"
Joanna was quiet for a while. She couldn't let them find out who she was.
"I... I was doing my regular patient check-up. The patient is recovering at a speedy rate," she held the drip wire, pretending to adjust it.
"I will take my leave now," she said.
Audrey and Skye shifted to the side, and she hurried out of the ward, lowering her head.
"That was weird," Skye said, he and Audrey walking towards Blake.
Audrey sat beside him.
"I won't trouble you again, just wake up already," Audrey muttered.
She traced her gaze to the bed, and it landed on the sheets.
"It's wet," she mumbled.
"What's wrong?" Skye asked.
"That doctor... I just felt as if.... It's nothing," she muttered with a soft sigh.
Skye exhaled and checked his phone.
He had sent a text to Bonnie. She saw the text, but didn't reply.
He exhaled and pocketed his phone, his mind drifting to Ixora.
\[U.C. POLICE STATION, CELL\]
Ixora sat on the ground, her knees hugged to her chest.
She had cried her eyes out, and the only thing she could do was sniffle silently.
The only thing her mother was able to do was get her into a private cell.
Her mother had assured her that she was going to see the commissioner for her release. But, she didn't care about her release. She wanted to know how Blake was doing. Nobody was willing to tell her.
She had sent Nelly to go to the hospital, but Audrey, together with the guards, didn't let her in. She knew Audrey was protective when it came to Blake. Both of them grew up having just themselves.
James had also visited her. He called some of his contacts, but none of them could do anything to release her. Even his father couldn't do a thing.
Blake's fans were also seeing to it that she rots in jail. She wasn't expecting less. Her mother's upcoming election had been dragged all because of her. Blake was fighting for his life only because she chose to do something foolish.
She traced her gaze to her palm that was wrapped in a bandage. She had gotten injured while struggling with the inspector during the changing of cells.
She raised her head, resting it on the wall. She couldn't sleep. Regret filled her up. If she hadn't gone to the cinema with a knife. If she hadn't tried to kill Drexton.
What was she thinking? That she could kill a man who was everywhere in her life, including her shadows. She looked at the ground and saw a tall shadow.
Paying attention, she knew Drexton was around her. But she wasn't in the mood to say anything or even try to find him. He had ruined her life. What more did he want?
She saw the shadow coming towards her. Her gaze was fixed on the shadow. The shadow got nearer, and she shifted her gaze to a figure that stood distant.
She dilated her pupils, trying to see the person. She could only see a little part of him. She knew it was Drexton.
The figure began coming to her.
An inspector appeared from nowhere, making the figure halt.
"Come on, someone is here to see you."
She unlocked the key, let her out and handcuffed her.
Ixora's gaze got fixed on the figure.
"What are you staring at? Move," the inspector said, pushing her slightly.
Ixora began walking. She turned her neck again and saw that the shadow and figure had disappeared.
She followed the constable to the meeting room.
"Just five minutes," she said in a strict warning tone before giving them privacy.
Ixora walked in, wondering who might have come to see her this late at night.
She saw it was a lady. Somehow, the lady's face looked familiar, like she had seen her before.
She was sure she had seen her.
The lady smiled.
The same familiar smile.
"Ixora," she said, her voice smooth.
"Remember me?"
Right, she was the strange lady who had come to visit her and had introduced herself as Joanna.
"Doctor Joanna," Ixora said, settling on the chair while placing her cuffed hands on the table.
Joanna smiled and touched her hair.
"I'm sorry," she muttered, tracing her fingers in her hair.
Ixora stared at her, wondering why she was apologizing.
"You aren't supposed to be in this place," she muttered, taking her hand off Ixora's hair.
"W...What do you mean? I was the one who stabbed Blake," Ixora said, the guilt seeping deep into her.
"This might lessen the burden. Blake is out of danger."
Ixora exhaled a sigh of relief. She still feels guilty for not seeing him, but this news has at least calmed her nerves.
Joanna held her hands. "You don't have to take the blame for stabbing him. Just know it wasn't your fault."
Ixora withdrew her hand.
"You weren't there. I'm the one responsible, and I am not trying to deny it. I am ready to go to jail as long as Blake is okay, and maybe I can finally breathe in peace without having Drexton—" she stopped, preventing herself from saying more.
Joanna chuckled.
"You aren't going to prison. And I know you were about to mention Drexton and his cruel torment."
Ixora's mouth fell open. How does she know?
"I know Drexton is tormenting you. I also know he was the reason why you had stabbed Blake. You mistook him for Drexton," Joanna said softly.
Ixora stared down at her wrist.
"You are here to support him," she mumbled.
Joanna raised her chin. "You are innocent. I will find a way to get you out of here."
Ixora let out a sadistic smile. "The first hearing is a day after tomorrow."
"Be positive. That reminds me, when you get out of here, you can drop by at my place. The door is always wide open for you."
"I barely know you, yet you treat me as if you have known me for a while. Who are you? What is your relationship with Drexton? What does he want from me? I have a lot of unanswered questions, and I think you are the only one who knows the answer," Ixora said, her face etched in deep confusion.
"Time over," the inspector announced, coming inside the ward.
"Let's say I'm Drexton's mother," Joanna said.