Chapter 3 A second chance( Mirabel's continued pov)

As I slowly opened my eyes, the blinding light above me pierced through my skull like a sharp knife. I winced, trying to raise my hand to shield my eyes, but a sharp pain shot through my arm, making me gasp. I fell back onto the pillow, my eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.

I was in a hospital room. The beeping of machines and the antiseptic smell filled my senses. A faint memory of what happened before I ended up here lingered in my mind, but it was hazy.

A gentle voice spoke beside me, "Welcome back. You've been asleep for a while. My name is Dr. Smith. Can you tell me your name?"

I tried to speak, but my voice was hoarse. I cleared my throat, trying again. "I...I think my name is...Mirabel."

Dr. Smith smiled. "That's right, Mirabel. You're safe now. You've been through a traumatic experience, but you're receiving the best care possible."

I tried to sit up again, but the pain in my arm and head was too much. Dr. Smith gently pushed me back onto the pillow.

"Please, Mirabel, don't try to move too much. You need to rest. The police are waiting to speak with you when you're feeling up to it."

The police? Why were the police involved? And then, like a floodgate opening, memories came rushing back. ,Mr Tony Luke, the struggle...I felt a wave of panic wash over me.

Dr. Smith must have seen the fear in my eyes because she quickly added, "Don't worry, Mirabel. The person who...hurt you is in custody. You're safe now."

I felt a mix of emotions: relief, gratitude, and a hint of skepticism. How did they catch him? And what did he do to me while I was...while I was unconscious?

I looked at Dr. Smith, searching for answers. "How...how did they catch him?"

Dr. Smith smiled again. "The taxi driver who drove you to your destination, he called the police. They were able to track down the person who hurt you and apprehend him."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I processed this information. The taxi driver...he saved me. I didn't even get a chance to thank him.

As I lay there, trying to make sense of everything, I couldn't help but think about my last coherent thought before I blacked out. I thought I was in control, I thought I could handle it...but I was wrong.

This time, however, I was grateful to be wrong

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As I lay there, still trying to process everything, the hospital room door burst open and my parents, along with my closest friends, rushed in. Tears of joy streamed down their faces as they surrounded my bed.

My mom was the first to reach me, embracing me tightly as she sobbed uncontrollably. "Oh, Mirabel! We were so scared! We thought we'd lost you!"

My dad stood beside her, his eyes red-rimmed as he stroked my hair. "We're so glad you're okay, sweetie. We love you so much."

My friends, Sarah and carly, stood behind them, tears streaming down their faces as they smiled at me. Sarah spoke up, her voice shaking. "We were so worried about you, Mirabel. We're just glad you're safe."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at the people I loved, who had been so worried about me. I tried to speak, but my voice cracked.

"I...I'm sorry," I managed to whisper, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

My mom's grip on me tightened. "It's okay my love, we're just glad you're okay".

But I shook my head, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me. "I should have been more careful. I should have..."

My dad interrupted me, his voice firm but gentle. "Baby it's okay, I'm so sorry you had to go through this,i wish i knew how hard things were for you. We thought you were coping just fine...we are sorry baby girl" He said stroking my hair with tears in his eyes.

I looked up at him, feeling a mix of emotions: gratitude, love, and a hint of shame. I knew they were right, but it was hard to shake off the feeling that I could have done something to prevent what happened.

As I lay there, surrounded by the people I loved, I knew that I still had a long way to go to heal and recover. But for now, I was just grateful to be alive, and to have them by my side.

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A few weeks passed, and I continued to receive treatment and therapy in the hospital. My physical wounds were healing, but the emotional scars still lingered. Despite that, I was making progress, and the doctors were pleased with my recovery.

Finally, the day arrived when I was discharged from the hospital. My parents and friends were overjoyed, and they welcomed me back home with open arms. It was a new beginning for me, a chance to start rebuilding my life.

As I settled back into my routine, I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to Tony Luke. I knew that the police had caught him, but I didn't know what had become of him after that.

One day, as I was sitting in my living room, my mom came in with a somber expression on her face. "Mirabel, I have some news to share with you," she said gently.

I looked up at her, curious. "What is it, Mom?"

"The man who assaulted you....what was his name again?...Tony!...he's been tried in court," she began. "And he's been found guilty of attempted murder."

I felt a mix of emotions: relief, gratitude, and a hint of closure. "What's his sentence?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

My mom took a deep breath before answering. "He's been sentenced to 15 years in prison."

I felt a wave of emotions wash over me as I processed this information. Fifteen years seemed like a long time, but it was also a reminder that I had been given a second chance at life. I was grateful for that, and I knew that I would do everything in my power to make the most of it.

As I sat there, reflecting on this new information, I felt a sense of closure wash over me. It was a new beginning, a chance for me to move forward and leave the past behind. And I was ready to take that step.

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