148 Coward?

Natalie watched from her hospital bed how Alonso stepped out of the room with his shoulders slouching because of how exhausted he was.

What would life have been like if you hadn't been here by my side?

Her health had probably never been worse but she was filled with gratitude for having a man like Alonso beside her in her darkest days. She likely lived years with this time bomb in her head; it was both cruel and merciful for it to explode soon after Alonso came into her life.

Jack —who had returned to the room right after Rose left— brushed a cold hand across her forehead with the gentleness of a feather. "What are you thinking about?" His question was tender, low, and very, very sad.

"...That I'm blessed," she looked up at her uncle's face, "I'm blessed to have Alonso, and I'm blessed to have you."

He smiled, but she could tell he was just trying to cheer her up.