A week later...

Aidan's P.O.V.

It had been a week since the accident, and Serena showed no signs of waking up. I stayed in that hospital for as long as I could before visiting hours were over. Back at the hotel, I couldn't sleep, constantly wondering if she would wake up or not. With every passing day, I felt my heart break even more as I stared at her unconscious body, wishing and praying that she would wake up and tell me she would never leave me.

Word had quickly spread about the accident, and I received so much support from fans, family, and the cast. They even took to their social media to write such amazing things about her, talking about the jokes she would tell them, the songs she performed, anything she did with someone, they wrote it down. Steve had told me to take one day at a time and that I could take time off to see her during the day if I wished.

"Aidan, you need to eat something. You're going to be starving at the hospital," Mom said to me as I pushed my breakfast to the side of my plate. "Bud, I know this is hard for you. But, you have to eat something. Even if it's just one bite," Dad said, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I'm not hungry," I muttered. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see my parents look at each other with pity. This accident had taken its toll on all of us.

Mom tried to act like everything was okay, but at night I could hear her crying and Dad comforting her, telling her that Serena was strong and that she would recover. I took a small bite or two of my breakfast before throwing it away and getting ready to head to the hospital. The moment I stepped inside, the smell of sanitizer and antiseptics overwhelmed me, and it was nothing compared to the previous times I had been in there.

"Hi, I'm here to see Serena Waterbury," I said to the receptionist as she typed quickly on her keyboard. "Are you her boyfriend? Brother?" She questioned. "Boyfriend," I answered. She pressed a button a few inches from her laptop. Instantly, the automatic doors to the ER opened, and I walked in, taking in a shaking breath as I gripped on tightly to the roses and daisies I bought for her. Throughout this week, I bought her an array of things to make the room a little brighter. Even though the chances were slim, I still held hope that she would wake up.

"Hey sweetie, I'm back. And I brought you some more flowers," I said when I walked into the room, Serena remained perfectly still on the bed, the oxygen mask still helping her breathe. I sat the flowers right next to the windowsill before taking a seat at her side, grabbing her soft, limp hand. "God, it's hard going back to the hotel knowing that you're not there practicing your music or talking to Vanessa and Ethan. They've been blowing up my phone, constantly asking for updates. Mom and Dad have been worried about you too," I said, glancing up at her still bruised face.

Even though the week was filled with sadness, there was a break in the investigation. A piece of clothing was left inside the other vehicle. And after forensic analysis, it turned out that it belonged to Eden. I wasn't at all surprised. I knew from the beginning that she had to have been involved with this harassment. But Eden wasn't the one driving the car. Police also found a ticket that was for the Danforth Music Hall concert that night, and the fingerprints belonged to, you guessed it, Cameron.

Since then, the police obtained a warrant for their arrests, but nobody saw them since that night. So, any knowledge of where they might be was unknown. They couldn't get away with this. I wanted to see them get what they deserved. They hurt the one person I love more than life itself, and I was angry. "Still no word on Cameron and Eden were arrested yet. But I hope they get arrested soon. How cruel can someone be to do something like this to such a kind and loving person? Who?" I said, feeling my throat begin to tighten up even though I promised myself that I wouldn't cry this time.

"I-I love you. I would do anything to kiss you, to hug you. I'll do anything if you wake up. I'll give you massages whenever you're stressed. I'll cuddle you endlessly throughout the night. I'll even cook a ten-star meal if that's what it takes. Just please, wake up. I can't be without you, Serena," I sniffled, clutching onto her hand tighter before burying my face into the sheets. "God, if you can hear me, please don't take her away from me. She's been through way too much, and her life is just starting to evolve into something beautiful, just please, let her stay with me,"

I continued praying for a long time, promising that I would treat her like the queen she is and give her a long and fulfilling life. A life that her birth parents hadn't lived long enough to give to her. I glanced up at her through my blurry, tear-filled eyes as I silently pleaded with her to wake up. I leaned down and kissed her hand, squeezing it once more, expecting there to be no response.

But, this time, there was.

It was very faint. But, I could feel a squeeze, making a small amount of relief fill my body. "Serena? Can you hear me? It's me, Aidan. Did you squeeze my hand?" I asked. No response came from her, only the sound of air rushing into her mask. "If you can hear me, squeeze my hand again," I instructed her, waiting for another light squeeze. But, there wasn't another.

The relief faded away from me as I slumped back in my seat, worrying that the squeeze didn't mean anything. And that she could remain in that coma for a while.

Serena, please come back to me...