Chapter 266: Forgiveness Doesn’t Erase Consequences [June’s POV]
I woke up to the best text message I have ever received in my life.
Ash: June June, my mom is awake.
I sat straight up in bed, still processing the news.
"Oh my God," I whispered. Then i screamed, "Oh my God."
I jumped out of bed, tripping over my blanket. My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped my phone while calling him.
He picked up on the first ring.
"Girl," I blurted, not even saying hello, "don’t play with me. Tell me this is real."
"It’s real, Juney," he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice.. "She’s awake.."
I laughed and squealed at the same time, pacing my room. "Ash! This is....this is the best news ever."
"I know," he laughed. "This weekend just turned around completely."
"I’m getting dressed right now," I said, already pulling open my closet. "I’m coming to the hospital."
He chuckled. "I knew you’d say that."
"Has Alia seen her yet?" I asked, rushing into the bathroom and grabbing my toothbrush.
"No. I’m picking her up from Violet’s first. I want her to see Mom before I tell her anything."
I smiled so hard my cheeks started to hurt. "She’s going to lose her mind."
"She’s probably going to cry," he said softly. "Or stare for five minutes straight."
"Or both," I added. "I’ll tell Dad. He’ll be so happy."
"Marcus is already on his way too," Ash said. "I’ll see you soon, okay?"
"Soon," I said. "I’m so happy for you."
After we hung up, I just stood there for a second, holding my toothbrush, staring at my reflection.
After everything that happened last night....Ren, Ian, the stupid talent show....I really needed this.
I showered quickly, got dressed, and went downstairs, where Dad was already in the kitchen flipping pancakes.
"Morning," he said, turning around just as I ran into him.
"Hi, Dad," I said, hugging him tight.
He laughed softly, hugging me back. "Someone’s energetic today."
I pulled back and frowned a little. "You’re sweating. And your skin feels really warm."
He waved it off. "I’m okay, honey. Just tired. I cancelled all my appointments today....I’m going to rest."
I narrowed my eyes. "You promise?"
"I promise," he said, holding up his hand like he was swearing an oath.
"Good." I nodded, then brightened immediately. "Okay, guess what."
He turned the stove down. "What?"
"Ash’s mom woke up. She’s out of the coma."
"That’s incredible," his face softened instantly. "That family has been through so much."
"I’m heading to the hospital," I said, grabbing my bag.
He handed me a plate. "At least eat something first."
"I’ll eat later," I leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Call me if you need anything. Even if it’s small."
He smiled. "I will. Be there for your friend."
Life was really was strange and unpredictable.
One moment, it’s breaking your heart.
The next, it’s stitching it back together.
I waved at Dad one last time and stepped outside....
...and immediately froze when i saw Ren.
He was leaning against his car like he’d been there a while. He lifted his hand and waved.
I pretended I didn’t see him, turned my face away immediately and kept walking.
Nope. I was not doing boy drama today. Not after last night.
Not with Ash’s mom waking up and my emotions already on edge.
"June! Wait!"
I ignored him.
Then he jogged after me.
"June. Jellybean..."
"You don’t get to call me that," I snapped, stopping so suddenly he almost ran into me.
He grabbed my wrist gently.
"I’m sorry," he said quickly. "About last night. I shouldn’t have done that."
"Those words don’t mean anything when you keep doing whatever you want," I said, folding my arms.
"I know," he said quickly. "That’s why I’m here."
"To embarrass me again?" I shot back. "Because if that’s the plan, congrats, you’re consistent."
"I wasn’t thinking," he admitted. "I was jealous. And stupid. And selfish. And I hate that I hurt you."
I laughed, bitterly. "What hurt was realizing I was just... a tool. Ian wanted an ego boost, and you wanted to get back at him."
His face fell completely. "That’s not what I was doing."
"That’s exactly what you were doing," I snapped.
"I’m so sorry," he said again, reaching for my wrist.
"Don’t touch me."
His hand dropped instantly.
"Do you know how humiliating that felt?" I continued.
Then, before I could react...
Ren dropped to his knees.
Right there on the sidewalk.
"Oh my God...Ren!" I hissed.
Cars slowed. People stared. Someone actually gasped. I swear I saw a phone come out.
"What are you doing? Get up!" I tried pulling him by the arm.
He held my hands instead. "I won’t. Not until you forgive me. Or at least listen."
"You’re causing a scene," I whispered furiously. "People are literally recording."
"I don’t care."
"I care!" I said. "I really don’t have time for this. Ash is waiting for me at the hospital."
He looked up instantly. "Hospital?" His voice softened. "Is he okay?"
"Why should you care?" I crossed my arms.
"Because he matters to you," he said.
"Jellybean!"
"Don’t," I warned.
"Please," he pouted, staring directly into my eyes. His eyes were really pretty in the sunlight.
Ugh. Why did he have to look like that?
I sighed hard. "Fine. Say what you need to say."
He stood up quickly, brushing dirt off his jeans like nothing humiliating had just happened.
I nodded reluctantly. "Be fast about it."
"I care about you. Not because of Ian, or any competition. I panicked because I thought you still loved him more."
"I don’t love Ian," I said immediately.
His lips curved into a sad smile. "You can’t hide love in your eyes, June."
I rolled my eyes. "You sound dramatic."
"Doesn’t make it untrue."
I looked away. "You still hurt me."
"I know," he said quietly. "And I’ll spend however long it takes making that right."
I studied his face, then sighed. "Fine. I forgive you."
His eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes," I said. "But forgiveness doesn’t erase consequences."
Ash’s mom woke up today.
Life is so unpredictable, you never know what happens next.
And I don’t ever want to be the person who waited too long to fix something that mattered.
"I understand."
"Good. Now I need to go."
"Let me drive you."
I hesitated."You don’t have to..."
"Please..."
Then i sighed. "Fine."
