She awakes in the hospital. Strange enough, it's daylight. It must be morning, or at least mid-afternoon. There's a dull pain on her throat, Jade doesn't try to even open her mouth and speak.

Her large family is crowded in the room, all three sisters and her mother sitting in chairs, while Jiyong is staring at the blanket covering Jade's frame. Mino and her father are no different, and it's a little heartwarming to see all of them here together, even if it isn't for a happier occasion.

"Jade." Jennie breathes, noticing the consciousness of her younger sister, and the life seems to pour back into the room. "Don't talk, it'll make it worse."

So she simply nods. She looks at the males in the room, sensing that they are close to an outburst. The girl gestures to herself, then signals an 'OK' sign.

"You almost died!" Jisung shrieks, not having it. "One of your classmates tried to choke you to death!"

"I told you sending her to that school filled with toxic rich kids wasn't a good idea." Her dad starts up, shooting a glare to her mother.

"Dad." Joy tries to reason. "Forget about the school, focus on Jade." At this she looks at her older sister, narrowing her eyes as if to say I'm fine.

"No you're not fine." Joy responds. "Like Jisung said, you could've died if the cops didn't arrive in time."

"Where is that boy anyways?" Her mom asks softly. "I didn't get to thank him for showing up when he did."

Truth be told, Jade had called Jaebum right before going up to the rooftop and kept him on the line while she confronted Jisoo. That way, if anything happened to her he could use it as evidence. A brave and valiant effort, but mainly she did this so he could intervene if anything went wrong. And right now, she is so glad she took the effort to do that.

Later on, after she takes the time to eat something, her family leaves the room, giving her space to have visitors. Her eldest brother Jiyong is especially reluctant — he seems to beating himself over the fact that he let her leave with his car — but finally does exit. Jade falls asleep again.

§

When she awakes, it's dark. There's a note on the stand next to her bed saying that they went out to grab food and that they'll be back soon. That's good. At least they're less concerned enough to leave her alone.

"Jade." And sitting in the shadows, is Jeongguk. She jumps in her skin at the noise, before noticing his messy bed of hair.

"Oh. You startled me."

"I'm surprised you can even be scared." He narrows his eyes at her. "Jisoo tried to hurt you? I specifically said not to..."

"Well yeah, you did. But did I promise I would listen?" She crosses her arms, using her voice hurts a little, and it's hoarse, so he softens up a bit.

"It's a good thing I confronted her. Now she won't be terrorizing anyone again."

"Yes, but by doing that she almost killed you too."

"But she didn't."

"She could have." He still hasn't settled down. "Jade, when Jaebum told me you were in the hospital, I was really worried." Maybe this is the closest he'll ever get to saying I care about you Jade Lei.

She doesn't give in. "I'm not that easy to get rid of. You rich kids might know how to play dirty, but so do I. Do not underestimate me, Jeongguk."

"I-I'm not." And now he finally sits at the chair near her hospital bed. "Sorry. In that moment, you reminded a lot of someone I used to know." This didn't have to do with the girl Jisoo had mentioned? Or did it?

"Officially the Five Crowns have fallen apart." He sighs. "With Jisoo in custody, Vicki is dead, and me wanting nothing to do with the rest of them...it's definitely gone."

"Then, what about the Olympians?"

"They're with me." She's not sure what he means by that. Or wait. No, does that mean...

"Are you the new Vicki Wang?" And at her choice of words, he snorts.

"If you want to word it like that, I guess. Don't worry about Doyoung, he'll be gone since he is graduating. And as for Hyunjin," Jeongguk's eyes darken.

"don't worry about him ever touching you. It won't happen."