At the hospital
Hi Melanie, were you able to see her?
Yes, I took over from her mother, but she's still sleeping, so I just stepped out for a coffee. Marc didn't come?
Yes, he did, this morning, and earlier we were at her place to bring her some things and her papers. But he preferred to leave after I tore him a new one.
Tore him a new one? What do you mean?
It's his fault she did this.
Yeah, I called Hugo, he explained it to me. Well, okay, Marc and I aren't exactly best friends, but you know, I can understand why he didn't want to tell her either. I'm not saying it was the right thing to do, but in the end, they hadn't spoken in so long, she had started dating someone else again, so he thought it wasn't worth bringing that story back up when she was living something new. You see, for once, I'm the one defending him.
Yeah, well, I'm still very angry with him anyway. Come on, I'm going to spend some time with her.
***********
It makes me happy to see you, Marc. I didn't think you'd come back.
I couldn't stay at home. I figured that at this hour there wouldn't be anyone with her anymore, so I came.
Are things getting sorted out on your end?
Yes, that whole story was a farce. I ruined my relationship for a crazy woman and it destroyed Cathy. Eli, I'll always blame myself for letting that happen.
Marc, you are an upright man, a brave young man who doesn't run away—that's why Catherine loves you. You are a pillar for her, a shield.
A shield? Yeah, right… It's because of me and that whole story that she's lying in this hospital bed.
The doctor said she's not at much risk, apart from sleeping all week. Let this be a lesson to both of you. You love each other more than anything, but your lack of communication has played tricks on you once again.
I feel like I'm playing the same record on repeat.
Come on, I'm going home. I'll be back tomorrow morning. Go see her.
**********
The next day, 7 p.m.
Cathy… are you waking up? Can you hear me?
Hu-go?
… No… it's Marc.
Marc?
Wait, I'll call the nurse. How are you feeling?
I'm thirsty.
Okay, I'll fill your water jug.
Where are we? And what are you doing here?
Cat', don't you remember?
No… I'm so tired.
Yes, that's normal.
Good evening, Miss Levair. It's nice to see you with your eyes open. I'm Doctor Hermet. How are you feeling?
… Heavy… tired. But where am I?
You've been at Charles Massinet Hospital for two days.
At the hospital? But why? Did I fall? I don't remember anything. Massinet is for psychiatry…what am I doing here? Marc, what's going on? Why am I here?
Cathy, everything's fine. I'll explain, lie back calmly.
I'm going to have the psychiatrist come, and in the meantime I'll have a meal tray brought in—you must be hungry.
A psychiatrist? But I don't need a psychiatrist. I want to leave—why did you bring me here?
Cathy, stay in bed, you might… Ma'am, please, she fainted!
She stood up, is that it?
Yes, she panicked, jumped up and collapsed right away.
That's normal, nothing to worry about. Between at least two days of fasting and the dose of medication, her body is weakened. She's coming around—look.
Cathy, I'm here. You need to stay calm. You'll eat a little and you'll feel better.
No, I don't want to. I want to leave. Call my parents or Peter—don't keep me here.
I'm not the one keeping you here. Everyone has come by your bedside in turns since yesterday.
Am I going to die, is that it? Is everyone coming to say goodbye?
No—but you could have.
What?
Not quite, thankfully. Sir, I'm going to ask you to step out while I speak with my patient.
Yes, doctor. I'll be in the hallway; I'll come back afterward.
Doctor, I don't understand anything. Why am I here? I'm a nurse at another hospital, so if I fell, why bring me here?
You didn't fall. It appears you attempted suicide.
What? No, that's impossible!
What day is it today?
I remember being at home on my day off… You're saying I've been here since yesterday… So Tuesday?
It's Thursday.
Thursday? But what did I do for four days? Why don't I remember anything?
Your friend found you unconscious at home, and the paramedics chose to bring you directly here.
So I did fall—I must have hit my head.
You're a nurse, right?
Yes.
What happens if you give a patient an anxiolytic?
They relax before a procedure or if they're anxious.
And if you give them six at once?
Oh no, never… that could be dangerous!
And with alcohol?
Then it's worse—they could collapse.
So you knew the risks… and yet you did it. You did attempt to end your life.
Me? I did that?
You were found at home with a bottle of anxiolytics and alcohol beside you. And you didn't go to work on Monday or Tuesday.
I don't remember anything… it's horrible.
It will come back. Your brain is still blocking it. I'll come back tomorrow.
************
Cat', are you okay? Do you want to eat?
Yes… even if it must be gross.
It's cold chicken, so it's fine.
Why are you here?
Because I found you… with Hugo.
How do you know Hugo? You were together at my place? But no one has the keys. And where is he?
I met him. He said you could call him if you felt like it, to give him news. He left once he was sure you were out of danger. He's a good guy.
Yes, I know. Did you know we were together?
Yes. Peter and I saw you at the hospital one day.
Oh… I see. I didn't really feel like talking to you about it.
I understand. Is it okay, does it go down?
Yes. I was really hungry.
No kidding, after four days… Seeing you here reminded me of your assault. Promise me you'll never do this again.
I didn't do anything… I don't understand…
And if I show you this paper?
…
Do you remember?
Yes. I remember. Get out of here, go join her.
No, Cat'. I'm not leaving. Don't cry. I'm going to explain everything to you. I already wanted to come talk to you when Peter and I came to the hospital, but when I saw you jump into that guy's arms, it felt like a knife in my chest, I couldn't breathe anymore and I left.
I didn't understand why you had that contract sent to my place. It hurt me. And since I was already not well, I took a pill to calm down and sleep.
No, Cathy… I never wanted to hurt you. I don't know how that paper ended up at your place. I'm getting a shared apartment with two guys from the base. We all received our contracts, but why mine arrived at your address… no idea.
A shared place?
Yes… I know what you thought. Hugo thought the same. He thought I was going to live with Bertille. And I understood why you did that… but no, Cathy, no. It was for a shared apartment.
Yes… that's what I thought. And it stabbed me in the heart.
I can imagine… I understand it so well. But I also wanted to tell you… Bertille lied. About everything. I never slept with her. And Jules is not my son.
Is that true? Are you sure?
Yes. I had a DNA test done. It wasn't easy, but I was able to show her the results. She confessed everything. You were right. She's sick. And me… I fell for it. Will you forgive me?
You mean we went through all this for nothing? That she destroyed our relationship just like that?
Yes… But above all, it's my fault for believing her. And for not protecting you. I'm sorry. So sorry. But despite everything, I'm glad you had Hugo by your side through all this.
Yes. Me too.
I'm going to go now that you're feeling better.
Will you come back tomorrow?
Do you want me to?
Yes.