Khian's POV
I stepped into Ella’s hospital room, forcing a smile on my face, but inside, everything felt like it was falling apart. My mind was still racing, playing over what happened with Dad. I didn’t know if I should go to the police or keep quiet. Every thought clashed with another, leaving me more lost than ever.
Ella was awake now, her soft breathing a relief. She looked better than she did earlier, but I knew we still had a long way to go. Her smile was weak, but it was there. Ethan, though… he was still in the ICU, fighting, and it killed me to think about him. 
“Hey,” I said, walking to Ella’s side. I sat down in the chair next to her bed, trying to act normal, trying to seem like everything was fine. “How are you feeling?”
Ella glanced at me, her eyes tired but gentle. “I’m okay, Khian. Tired, but better.” She gave a small nod, like she was trying to convince herself of it too.
Our mom was sitting by the window, her hands clasped together tightly. Lily, Katherine, and Sophie were all gathered around, trying to keep the mood light. I wanted to disappear into the background, just blend in, but my thoughts kept gnawing at me, pulling me under.
Sophie, always the one to make things easier, looked at Katherine with a teasing grin. “So, Katherine... why are you really here? I mean, last we checked, things were a little… interesting between you and Ethan.” She said before raising her eyebrows, clearly trying to suffocate the tension in the room.
Everyone the just stared at her, except me. I stayed quiet, my mind elsewhere, but I couldn’t help hearing the conversation.
Katherine looked down at her feet, her face turning a little red. “Uh, yeah... about that,” she said, shifting uncomfortably. “I actually came to... apologize. To Ella, to everyone.” She looked at Ella, her voice softer. “It wasn’t Ethan’s fault. I didn’t mean for things to get so... out of hand.”
Ella smiled softly at Katherine. “I know, Katherine. It’s okay. I’ve been through enough with Ethan to understand how things can get complicated.”
Sophie, ever the joker, grinned even wider. “Complicated, huh? Is that what we’re calling it now?” she teased, making Lily laugh out loud.
Katherine blushed even more, waving her hands in front of her. “No, no! It’s not like that, I swear!” she exclaimed, laughing nervously. “I was just... it was all a misunderstanding!”
The room filled with laughter, even our mom managed a small smile. For a moment, it felt like things were normal. But that moment didn’t last for me. I couldn’t bring myself to join in, not when everything was piling up inside me, pressing down like a weight I couldn’t lift.
Ella’s smile faded a little as she looked at me. She's like reading my face like an open book. “Guys,” she said softly, “can I have a few minutes alone with Khian? I just... want to talk to him.”
The others nodded, exchanging glances. One by one, they filed out of the room, leaving just me and Ella.
“Khian,” she said quietly after the door closed. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been acting so... distant. What’s wrong?”
I didn’t answer at first. I couldn’t. My chest felt tight, my throat thick with emotions I hadn’t let out. I looked down at my hands, trying to keep it together, but Ella’s voice was so gentle, so understanding. She always knew. She always saw right through me.
“I can’t do this anymore,” I finally whispered, my voice cracking. “I don’t know what to do, Ella.” My eyes stung as tears began to well up. “Everything’s falling apart... Ethan’s in the ICU, Dad’s... Dad’s behind all of it... and I’m just standing here, doing nothing to fix it.”
Ella’s eyes widened, concern washing over her face. “What do you mean, Khian? What did Dad do?”
I shook my head, my chest tightening even more. “He’s... he’s involved in all of it. The illegal gambling, the mess with Ethan’s family... he’s the reason this is all happening. I don’t know what to do, Ella. I can’t just... I can’t just turn him in. But if I don’t, how do I live with myself?”
She reached out and took my hand, squeezing it softly. “Khian, it’s not your fault,” she whispered. “You’ve been trying to hold everything together for all of us, but it’s not fair for you to carry this alone.”
I couldn’t stop the tears from spilling out now. I buried my face in my hands, my shoulders shaking. “I’m just so lost, Ella. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to fix this... I feel like I’m drowning.”
Ella leaned forward, pulling me into a tight hug, her hand gently stroking my back. “You don’t have to fix everything, Khian,” she whispered into my ear. “It’s okay to not have all the answers. You’ve been strong for so long... you don’t always have to be.”
I couldn’t stop the sobs from escaping now, my whole body shaking as I let it all out. All the pain, all the guilt, all the anger I’d been holding in for so long. “I just... I just wanted to protect you,” I choked out. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. But I... I couldn’t even do that.”
Ella pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, her gaze full of love and understanding. “You’ve done more than enough, Khian,” she said softly. “You’ve always been there for me, always trying to keep us safe. But now it’s my turn to be here for you.”
Her words hit me like a wave, and I broke down even more, crying into her shoulder. All the pressure, all the responsibility I’d been carrying on my back for so long, it was too much. And I didn’t have to carry it alone anymore.
“I’m here, Khian,” Ella whispered, holding me close. “I’m here.”
“I just can’t believe Dad would do something like this,” I said quietly, my voice still shaking. “All this time, I thought he was just... distant. But now I know he’s been behind everything. It’s like the world is falling apart because of him.”
Ella nodded, her gaze steady. “It’s hard to accept, especially when it’s someone so close to us. But you need to remember, Khian, you’re not alone in this. You have us.”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “I don’t know if I can face him again. I don’t know if I can ever look him in the eye after everything.”
Ella gave me a reassuring smile. “You don’t have to do it alone. We’ll figure it out together. But right now, Ethan needs you. And so does Ella. They need us to be strong, not just for them, but for ourselves too.”
I nodded, though my mind was still swirling with confusion. “I just wish there was something more I could do. Something to make it all right.”
Ella took my hand again, squeezing it gently. “You’re doing more than you realize. You’re here for us, and that’s what matters. We’ll take it one step at a time. Right now, let’s focus on getting through today.”
The quiet in the room was palpable, and I was lost in my thoughts when the door creaked open. The girls walked in, each carrying drinks and snacks.
“Hey, we thought you might need a little pick-me-up,” Lily said, trying to offer a warm smile. “Auntie is out in the hallway talking to the doctors and nurses. She wanted us to keep you company.”
I glanced at them, grateful for the distraction. “Thanks, I could use something to take my mind off things.”
Katherine moved closer to me, handing me a drink and sitting down beside me. She gave me a comforting pat on the back. “I know it’s rough right now, but we’re all here for you.”
We then heard Sophie laughing with her teasing voice. “Wow, Katherine, you’re really laying it on thick,” she teased. “Should we start calling you ‘The Comfort Queen’?”
Katherine blushed, but she just laughed it off. “Hey, I’m just trying to help.”
Lily was glancing between Katherine and me, clearly flustered. Sophie, never one to miss an opportunity, seized the moment. “Oh, Lily, are you jealous of Katherine’s new title?” she teased. “I see that tomato-red blush of yours!”
Lily’s face turned bright red, and she tried to stammer out a reply, but I guess Sophie wasn’t done. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten about that frame in Khian’s office!” Sophie said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “I remember you blushing like mad when Ethan showed it to you. What was it again? A picture of you and Khian?”
Lily’s face went from red to nearly purple. “Sophie, stop it!” she protested, but the damage was done.
The room burst into laughter. Katherine and I joined in, and even Lily couldn’t help but chuckle despite her embarrassment. Sophie’s antics were a welcome relief from the stress of the day.
As the laughter died down, Lily took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. “Alright, alright, you’ve had your fun,” she said, though she was still blushing. “Let’s focus on being here for Khian and Ella. We’ve got enough to deal with already.”
Sophie grinned, still teasing. “Sure, Lily, but don’t think I’m done with you just yet!”
Katherine nudged Lily playfully. “Come on, don’t be too hard on her. We need this laughter right now.”
Ella looked at me with a soft smile, and I felt a bit of the weight lift off my shoulders. “Thanks, everyone,” I said, feeling a bit lighter. “It really helps to have you all here.”
As we settled down with snacks and drinks, the mood in the room shifted. The laughter and teasing brought a much needed breath of fresh air into the situation.