Chapter 55

• Nicole lay in her hospital bed, surrounded by her loving family and Jack, who had been by her side since the accident. Her mom and sister, Ashley, were sitting in chairs next to her bed, their faces etched with worry and concern. Jack was standing at the foot of her bed, his eyes fixed on Nicole's face, his expression a mixture of guilt and apology.
• Nicole looked at her mom and sister, then at Jack, and smiled weakly. "Guys, I'm fine," she said, trying to reassure them. "Stop making that face."
• But Jack just shook his head, his eyes dropping to the floor. "Nicole, I'm so sorry," he said, his voice filled with remorse. "I should have been more careful. I should have seen that rock."