After leaving the cafรฉ, Skylar returned to the hospital. Just as she was about to enter the ward, she saw Austin and Natalie inside through the slightly open door. Stepping back, she chose not to interrupt them.
Austin had just finished slicing an apple. "Give it a try," he offered Natalie a piece, "and see if it's good."
Natalie shook her head. Still feeling dizzy and lacking an appetite, she replied, "I can't eat right now, Mr. Powell. You have it."
Austin didn't press her. He understood she was struggling with the lingering effects of her concussion; he'd experienced similar discomfort after an on-set accident.
"Mr. Powell, you have scenes to film," Natalie said, feeling awkward. "Don't waste your time here with me. I just need to rest."
For the past few days, her mind had been racing. She was still unsure how to respond to Austin's feelings. Ironically, this confusion clarified her own affections for him. Noticing her evasiveness, Austin understood. "I don't have any scenes today," he said. "I'll stay here, and you can sleep."
Natalie genuinely felt unwell; even talking made her lightheaded and nauseous. She'd never experienced such a serious accident before; this concussion felt terribly unlucky.
With a soft hum of assent, she allowed him to stay. Time blurred, but she vaguely heard her parents talking to Austin, snippets of laughter, and their mention of "taking care of her" before they left. Her head still spun, making it difficult to understand them fully. Eventually, she drifted back to sleep, feeling as if it were all a dream.
Waking to darkness, she found Austin still there. Just as she was about to speak, a knock sounded on the door. Austin answered, and Natalie sat up.
Her expression changed upon seeing the visitor. Austin, though momentarily surprised, quickly composed himself and greeted the newcomer, "Mr. Hughes."
Jeremy's expression darkened upon seeing Austin, but he nodded curtly. He approached Natalie directly. "I heard from your parents about the accident. How are you feeling?" He knew better than anyone her fear of pain and timid nature; a concussion must have been terrifying for her.
Natalie shook her head, glancing at Austin before replying, "I feel better now. It's not as bad. The doctors have taken care of my injuries, so there's nothing to worry about. Thank you for coming."
Jeremy looked at her intently, relieved. "I'm glad to hear that. If anything comes up, don't hesitate to call me."
He left without lingering. Natalie understood his demeanor indicated a decision made.
"I'm stepping out for a bit," Austin said to Natalie. "If you get bored, feel free to use your phone."
Natalie nodded. "Okay."
Outside the ward, Jeremy waited in the hallway, watching Austin exit. Austin approached him. "Are you serious about this?" Jeremy asked bluntly.
"Yes," Austin replied calmly. "I want her. She's the only one for me." He'd only made two significant life decisions: to pursue acting and to be with Natalie.
Hearing Austin's unwavering determination, a pang of something akin to regret struck Jeremy. Long ago, he had made a similar decision.