Chapter 2

When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills. – Chinese proverb

Comparative negligence.

My lawyer had been talking about it for the past half hour. It meant that both the pedestrian and I were at fault for causing the accident: me, because I was driving past the speed limit, and the pedestrian because he'd been jaywalking.

Oddly, the fact the man I'd hurt shared an equal amount of guilt for the collision, didn't make me feel better in the least. I now had a terrible headache, my eyes felt swollen from all the crying, and my leg still hurt for some reason.

Mentally, I was barely hanging on.

Emotionally, I was utterly spent.

My phone began vibrating for the twentieth time that morning.

Work.

With a sigh, I turned my head in the other direction, ignoring it.

It was work that had gotten me here in the first place. I had let Aro know about the accident, but other than that, I didn't feel the need to deal with anyone else from the company.

For once, work could wait.

~RS~

"Are you sure you want to walk home?" Jacob asked, giving me an apprehensive look.

We'd met in collage, dated for a while, and now, he was one of my best friends. Today though, he was my lawyer.

"I'm sure." I gave him a tight smile. "The fresh air will do me good."

"If you say so." He didn't seem convinced, but knew me well enough not to insist on it. "I'll drop by your place later."

"Okay."

He put his arm around my shoulders, giving my forehead a light peck. "Take care, Bella."

Jacob climbed into his Audi, giving me one last look before speeding away.

Pushing my purse onto my shoulder, I headed towards the closest subway station. The rain had finally stopped, leaving behind a crisp autumn air. My five-inch heels clicked against the wet asphalt, and for once in my life, I wished I would've carried a change of comfortable shoes in my car. The pain in my leg had subsided some, but not completely, which made walking a bit uncomfortable.

My thoughts flew to the man lying on a hospital bed because of me. No matter what I did, I couldn't get his face out of my head. I didn't know his name, didn't even know what hospital he'd been taken to, and the image of him passed out in the middle of the street was playing on my mind in a loop.

It was maddening.

Knowing myself, I wasn't going to be able to sleep that night until I saw him. I needed to make sure he was okay; needed to see it with my own eyes.

Reaching into my coat pocket, I pulled out my phone, dialing Jacob's number without having to think twice about it.

"Did you change your mind?" he answered in a light voice.

"No. I need a favor."

"Name it."

"I want to know the name of the man I hit and the hospital he's been admitted to."

Jacob sighed. "I don't think going there is a good idea, Bella."

"Please, Jake. You know I won't be able to close an eye tonight unless I see for myself that he's out of any danger."

"Fine," he murmured. "I'll call you back."

"Thanks."

A few minutes later, I had a name and the location.

Edward Cullen had been admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with a concussion and some sort of leg injury. Jacob wasn't sure of their extent, but he didn't think it was too bad.

~RS~

Five subway stations later, I entered the hospital with trepidation. Heading straight to the reception desk, I was met with a pair of chocolate brown eyes. The redhead behind the desk smiled at me kindly.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Uh, yes. Yes, you can." I smiled back. "I'm looking for Edward Cullen. He was admitted a few hours ago."

The woman, whose nametag read Victoria, nodded, typing something on her computer. "Are you a relative?"

"No, I'm… I'm just a friend."

Victoria's expression changed to one of sorrow. "Unfortunately, it seems he's been taken to ICU. Only immediate family is allowed visiting privileges for the time being."

The world started to crumble around me. "ICU?" I mumbled incredulously. "But I was told his injuries weren't that bad."

Before she could respond, we were interrupted by a frightened-looking blonde. "Excuse me. I'm here for Sally Cooper. She's my sister."

Victoria didn't need to look for the name; a pitiful expression overtaking her features. "Your sister is in ICU, third floor on the left."

The blonde spun on her heels, heading straight for the elevators.

Watching her hit the elevator's down button furiously, an idea crossed my mind. I turned to Victoria. "Is there a restroom I could use?"

"Sure. It's just around the corner."

"Thank you for your help."

She smiled. "Anytime."

I walked in the direction she'd pointed with small steps. As soon as she appeared distracted, I took a hard left just as the elevator arrived. I stepped in behind the blonde and moved to the side, trying to avoid being seen.

Once on the third floor, the blonde reunited with the rest of her despondent family. I stood there, taking in my surroundings and trying to decide which way to go.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cullen."

My head whipped around at the sound of the name I was interested in. A doctor approached a couple sitting on some nearby chairs. I watched the exchange, my eyes fixed on the doctor.

"The swelling is starting to subside. He should be awake in a day or two."

The woman's face exploded with relief. "Oh, thank God."

"I'll come check on him again in about an hour. Try to get something to eat. It's past noon."

"Thank you, doctor," the man responded, wrapping an arm around his wife.

The doctor nodded, departing with hurried steps.

Left alone, the couple shared an embrace.

Taking a deep breath, and biting my lip to keep from bursting into tears, I made my way over to them. I lingered a few feet away, unsure how to approach them. The woman took notice of me.

"Can we help you?"

"I, uh… I'm sorry, I just…"

"Yes?"

"I'm here for your son."

"Oh." She gave her husband a surprised look. "I'm sorry; I don't think we've met. Are you a friend of Edward's?"

"Actually," I swallowed, glancing down at my feet; suddenly feeling like an awful person simply for being there, "I'm the person who hit him."

Silence. Long, dreaded silence.

When I finally mustered the courage to look up, they were both regarding me with a strange mix of displeasure and curiosity.

"What are you doing here?" the man spoke, brows drawn together.

"I needed to make sure he was okay."

"He's fine, as I'm sure you overheard," he responded bitingly. "You can leave now."

"Carlisle," the woman chastised gently, "you heard what the police said. It was as much Edward's fault as it was this young lady's."

Her husband gave her a harsh look. "I don't want her here, Esme." He turned to me. "Just go. Let us be."

"I'm so terribly sorry," I whispered. "I really am."

"Being sorry doesn't change anything for my son."

Unable to stand the tension any longer, I tightened my grip on my purse, turning around and heading for the set of stairs, nearly tripping over my feet as I descended them in haste. Tears started flowing easily, and I realized I'd never felt so horrible in my life.

A/N Let me know what you think.