Chapter 3

(Author’s POV)

Ruby did not know when exhaustion finally pulled her back into darkness. Her mind had been drowning in too many emotions at once. Even in unconsciousness, her thoughts continued spiraling endlessly.

One moment she remembered the warmth of the unknown man gently holding her hand, and the next, Vivian’s venomous words tore through her heart again. ‘You should’ve died that night’. The pain lingered deep inside her chest even after sleep overtook her.

Then slowly, warmth touched her face. Ruby frowned faintly inside her mind as unfamiliar brightness pressed against her closed eyelids. For two years she had been trapped in endless darkness and now sunlight was touching her again.

Her consciousness slowly returned, heavier than before but clearer somehow. The silence of the room surrounded her while distant sounds filtered into her ears, the soft hum of air conditioning, footsteps in the hallway, birds chirping faintly outside the glass windows.

Ruby gathered all her strength. Then slowly tried opening her eyes. Pain immediately shot through her head, her eyelids felt unbearably heavy, as though weighed down by years of sleep. She tried once and failed, tried again and still nothing.

Frustration built inside her chest. Her body felt foreign to her, weak and stiff like it no longer belonged to her but Ruby refused to give up. With trembling determination, she forced her eyelids upward once more.

This time, a thin sliver of light appeared. Brightness instantly flooded her vision, making her eyes sting painfully. Ruby almost shut them again from discomfort. After two years of darkness, even sunlight felt overwhelming.

Slowly, carefully, she adjusted. The blurry light gradually sharpened into shapes, a white ceiling, soft golden curtains fluttering lightly near the windows and medical equipment beside her bed. The luxurious hospital room.

Ruby stared silently at her surroundings. She finally opened her eyes. A strange emotion rose inside her chest. For two years she had existed in darkness unable to see anything and now she could see again. Tears instantly gathered in her eyes.

She wanted to move her hand toward her face, but nothing happened. Her limbs remained weak and unresponsive. Panic flickered briefly through her chest again when she realized she still couldn’t move properly.

Then she tried speaking, her lips parted slightly but no sound came out, only dry air escaped her throat painfully. Fear slowly crept over her. ‘Would she never speak again?’ Before her thoughts could spiral further, the door suddenly opened.

A nurse walked inside carrying fresh medication. The woman moved casually at first before her gaze landed on Ruby’s face. She froze completely. The tray in her hands rattled faintly. For several seconds, the nurse simply stared at Ruby with widened eyes as if she had seen a ghost.

Ruby blinked weakly in confusion. 

“M-Miss Vale…?” The nurse’s lips parted soundlessly. Ruby tried responding but her throat burned painfully.

The next second, the nurse suddenly rushed out of the room in panic. Ruby stared toward the door helplessly, confused by the woman’s reaction. Only moments later, hurried footsteps echoed outside before the nurse returned again. This time with the doctor.

The moment he stepped into the room and saw Ruby awake, he stopped walking entirely. Shock covered his usually calm face.

For the first time, Ruby saw disbelief crack through the professional composure of a man who had likely witnessed countless medical miracles and tragedies. His eyes visibly softened, almost emotionally because he remembered everything.

He remembered the night Ruby was brought into the hospital covered in blood. Her body had been shattered so badly that even experienced surgeons doubted she would survive till morning. There had been moments during surgery when her heartbeat nearly disappeared completely.

And yet, she survived. Then came the coma. For two years, doctors slowly lost hope one by one but now she was awake, back from the edge of death once again.

The doctor finally exhaled slowly before walking toward her bed. A small smile appeared on his face.

“Welcome back, Miss Vale”.

Ruby’s heart trembled hearing his voice clearly now. ‘It was him. The same doctor who spoke with that mysterious man last night’. The realization immediately brought back memories of the deep cold voice that still lingered in her mind.

Ruby stared at the doctor carefully, desperately wanting to ask questions, about herself, about the last two years, about the unknown man. She opened her mouth weakly but only a broken rasp escaped her throat. The pain made her wince slightly and the doctor immediately understood.

“Nurse, give her some water” He instructed gently.

The nurse quickly poured some water into a glass and carefully helped Ruby drink through a straw. Even swallowing felt difficult after years of unconsciousness. Her throat burned painfully, but after a few sips, it became slightly easier to breathe.

Ruby tried speaking again. This time, a weak hoarse whisper finally escaped her lips.

“…w-what…” The single word exhausted her immediately.

The doctor’s expression softened further.

“Don’t force yourself,” He said calmly.

“Your body is still extremely weak. After being unconscious for two years, even speaking will take time”.

The doctor slowly began explaining everything carefully.

“The accident caused severe trauma to your body. Multiple fractures, internal bleeding, head injuries… frankly speaking, your survival itself was miraculous” He said. 

Ruby listened silently.

“We performed emergency surgery the night you were brought in,” He continued. 

“There were complications several times during the operation. We nearly lost you”.

The nurse standing nearby looked emotional remembering it. The doctor glanced toward Ruby’s stiff limbs before speaking again.

“Your muscles weakened significantly during the coma. That’s why movement is difficult right now. Physical therapy will be necessary after discharge”.

Ruby swallowed painfully, her body still felt foreign to her.

“But considering your condition two years ago… this recovery is extraordinary,” The doctor said gently. A faint smile touched his lips again.

“We truly believed there was a chance you might never wake up”.

Ruby lowered her eyes slightly.

The doctor carefully checked her pulse and monitors while continuing his examination.

“Your vitals are stable now,” He said. 

“We’ll begin rehabilitation slowly. Speaking and movement should improve gradually over time”.

He then turned toward the nurse and began giving instructions regarding medications, hydration, therapy schedules, and monitoring. The nurse nodded attentively.

Finally, before leaving, the doctor looked back at Ruby once more. There was genuine relief in his eyes.

“Miss Vale, not everyone gets a second chance at life” He said quietly and left the room.

The soft sound of the closing door echoed quietly behind him and for the first time since waking, Ruby truly realized she had survived.