A few days passed.
Elian was still being held at the police station.
His lawyers had come several times, determined to begin working on his case and get him released as quickly as possible.
That morning, two of them sat across from him in the small consultation room.
"Elian, we need to start building your defense."
Elian remained quiet.
One of the lawyers placed a folder on the table.
"We can challenge the accusations, request the evidence, speak to witnesses, and begin the process of getting you released."
Elian shook his head.
"No."
The lawyers exchanged confused looks.
"No?" one of them repeated.
"It's unnecessary."
"Elian, you've been here for days."
"I know."
"You've been accused of seriously injuring Mrs. Jennie. You can't simply sit here and do nothing."
Elian leaned back in his chair.
"I didn't do it."
"We believe you. That's exactly why we need to work on your case."
Elian looked down at his hands.
"I don't want to fight this through lawyers."
His lawyer frowned.
"Why?"
"Because the truth will come out."
"That's not how the legal system works."
Elian remained stubborn.
"I don't care."
The lawyer sighed.
"You could remain here much longer if you refuse to defend yourself."
Elian looked toward the small window.
His mind immediately went to Cherry.
He wondered how she was doing.
Whether she was eating properly.
Whether she was still crying.
Whether she believed him.
"I just want Cherry to be okay."
His lawyer looked at him sympathetically.
"And what about you?"
Elian didn't answer.
The lawyer closed the folder slowly.
"We're not giving up on you. But if you change your mind, tell us."
Elian simply nodded.
The lawyers left the room.
Once he was alone again, Elian leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes.
He was exhausted.
But he still refused to confess to something he hadn't done.
"I didn't hurt her," he whispered to himself.
"And I won't lie just to get out of here."
Jennie's eyes slowly opened.
For a moment, everything around her was blurry.
She blinked several times, trying to understand where she was.
The steady beeping of the monitor beside her bed slowly came into focus.
She turned her head.
Nicklaus was sitting beside her bed, asleep with his head resting against the mattress.
Jennie stared at him quietly.
Then the memories began returning.
The argument.
Her following him upstairs.
His anger.
The sudden push.
The railing.
Her fall.
Jennie's eyes widened.
She remembered everything.
She slowly lifted her trembling hand and reached toward Nicklaus.
Her fingers gently touched his hair.
Nicklaus stirred.
His eyes opened, and the moment he realized his mother was awake, he froze.
"Mom?"
Jennie looked at him.
Nicklaus immediately stood.
"You're awake."
His voice broke.
He grabbed her hand and began crying.
"I'm sorry."
Jennie stared at him silently.
"Mom, I'm so sorry."
He lowered his head, tears falling onto her hand.
"I didn't mean to push you."
Jennie's expression remained stunned.
Nicklaus continued crying.
"I was angry. I wasn't thinking. I only wanted you to leave me alone."
His grip tightened around her hand.
"I didn't know you would lose your balance."
Jennie looked at him carefully.
"You pushed me."
Nicklaus nodded, tears streaming down his face.
"Yes."
He couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes.
"I did."
His voice trembled.
"But I swear, Mom, I didn't want this to happen."
Jennie slowly closed her eyes.
Nicklaus leaned closer.
"Please forgive me."
He was crying openly now.
"I've been so scared."
Jennie looked at him again.
Nicklaus wiped his face with his sleeve.
"When I saw you lying there... I thought I'd killed you."
His voice cracked.
"I couldn't live with that."
Jennie remained quiet.
Nicklaus held her hand against his forehead.
"I'm sorry, Mom."
He repeated it through his tears.
"I'm really sorry."
Jennie looked at her son for a long moment.
Her expression softened despite the pain she was still feeling.
"It's okay, Nicklaus."
He slowly lifted his head.
Jennie gently squeezed his hand.
"I know you didn't do it intentionally."
Nicklaus's face crumpled again.
"I'm sorry, Mom."
"I know."
Those simple words made him cry even harder.
He leaned forward and carefully wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly while trying not to hurt her.
Jennie gently rested one hand against his back.
"It's okay."
Nicklaus held onto her for a long moment.
"I'm so sorry."
"I know."
Just then, the hospital room door opened.
Nicholas walked in.
He stopped immediately when he saw Jennie awake.
"Jennie?"
His eyes widened.
"You're awake."
He quickly rushed to her bedside.
"Thank God."
He gently took her hand.
"How are you feeling?"
Jennie gave him a weak smile.
"I'm okay."
Nicholas's eyes filled with tears of relief.
"I was so worried about you."
Nicklaus quietly stepped away from the bed.
"I'll leave you two alone."
Nicholas barely noticed him as he continued looking at his wife.
Nicklaus walked out of the room and quietly closed the door behind him.
Inside, Nicholas remained beside Jennie, still overwhelmed with relief that she had finally regained consciousness.
Nicholas sat beside Jennie, still holding her hand.
After a moment, he looked at her seriously.
"Jennie, tell me what happened."
Jennie remained quiet.
Nicholas's expression darkened.
"Was it Elian?"
His voice was filled with anger.
"If he did this to you, I'll make sure he never gets out of prison."
Jennie looked at him in surprise.
Nicholas continued, his anger growing.
"I warned him. I told him to stay away from our family."
Jennie slowly shook her head.
"Nicholas..."
"What?"
"It wasn't Elian."
Nicholas froze.
"What did you say?"
Jennie took a breath.
"Elian didn't do this to me."
Nicholas stared at her.
"Then who did?"
Jennie's eyes moved toward the door.
She knew the truth now.
She knew exactly who had pushed her.
"It was..."