The beeping machines echoed softly in the hospital room. My heart clenched as I watched them pull the bullet from Nathan's body. My hands trembled, tears slipping down my cheeks, one after another. The metallic scent of blood filled the air as I sank into the chair, whispering silent prayers.
Moments later, the news flashed across the TV screen in the waiting area.
"The victim, identified as Nathan Sterling, was shot early this morning…"
My breath caught. His picture appeared his smile frozen in the frame. The doctor walked out, his white coat brushing against the door.
"Are you his family?" he asked.
I tried to speak, but the words failed me.
"His friend? His wife?" he continued, his eyes dropping to the ring on my finger.
"I… I'm"
He paused, realizing. "Ah. His fiancée?"
Before I could reply, Catherine stepped forward. "We are his family, Doctor. Talk to us."
The doctor nodded, his face solemn. "He lost a lot of blood, but we've done everything we can. The bullet's been removed. Now we wait he needs to wake up."
He turned and left. Before I could breathe, Catherine's palm met my cheek a sharp, stinging slap. My parents rushed in, furious. My mother's voice trembled with anger, but my father insisted we leave.
That night, I cried until my body went numb. It felt like the world had ended.
How did I end up falling in love with the man I once dumped?
My mind replayed everything meeting him at the airport, laughing together in Chicago, the night at Carlos' party, the way he bowed to open the car door.
Life wasn't fair.
For two long months, Nathan's mother stayed by his bedside, not letting me near. I could only pray from afar.
Then, one morning, he moved his arm. Isabella called the doctor. Nathan's lips parted.
"Elena…" he whispered.
The doctor turned. "Who is Elena?"
Catherine stiffened. "It's no one, doctor.
Don't mind him."
But the doctor frowned. "If Elena is available, call her. He may recover faster."
Reluctantly, Catherine sent someone.
At my workplace, a black SUV stopped outside. I froze, recognizing the emblem the Sterlings. A man in a suit walked straight to me.
"Ma'am, your presence is needed at the hospital."
"Did something happen?" I asked, panicking.
"Mr. Nathan Sterling is awake. He asked for you."
I didn't think twice. "Guys, Nathan's awake!" I shouted, my coworkers cheering as I rushed out.
When I entered his hospital room, his eyes found mine. He smiled weakly.
"Elena…"
"I'm here," I said, holding his hand. "I'm here now."
He closed his eyes, tears trailing down his face. I wiped them gently.
"It's good to have you back, Nathan. I missed you."
The doctor turned to Catherine and whispered, "Let's give them space."
When they left, Nathan smiled faintly.
"I won't tell you now," he murmured.
I squeezed his hand. "Don't ever scare me like that again."
For two weeks, I stayed by his side. Isabella even told the guards to bring me food and clothes. Nathan slowly regained his strength, finally standing again.
One morning, he looked at me. "They still haven't found the man who shot me?"
"No," I said quietly. "Your dad and Carlos are searching."
He nodded, staring at my hand. "You still wear the ring."
"The doctor called me your fiancée," I teased, and he smiled faintly.
When he was discharged, we drove to one of his estates in New York. As the car stopped before the gate, I whispered, "I forget how rich you are sometimes."
He chuckled softly, wrapping his arm around my shoulder as I helped him inside. The maid came to carry the bags, and I led him to his room.
"I'll rest now," he said.
"Not until you take your meds," I teased, placing the pills beside him.
When he slept, I went downstairs to cook with the maid. Then, the sound of heels echoed from the hall.
Catherine had arrived.
"Good day, Mrs. Catherine," I greeted.
"Where's my son?" she asked.
"He's resting."
"Good. Then your job is done. You may leave."
"But ma'am"
"No buts. I only allowed you here so he could heal faster. But I'm his mother. Now go."
Tears burned my eyes. I packed my things. The driver wanted to take me home, but Catherine raised her hand.
"She can walk."
I turned one last time. Catherine's smirk followed me out the door.
At home, my mother rushed to me. "Elena! How's Nathan?"
"He's fine. His mom said my job was done."
Lucia sighed. "It's okay, dear. You've done enough."
Meanwhile, at the mansion, Nathan woke to find Catherine sitting by his side.
"Mother?"
"Don't strain yourself," she said, stroking his hand. "Let me call the nurse."
After the nurse left, Nathan asked, "Where's Elena?"
Catherine smiled faintly. "She said she's done her best. I'll watch over you now."
Nathan's face hardened. "Elena wouldn't say that."
Ignoring the nurse's plea to stay in bed, he rose, clutching his side. "Driver!" he shouted.
The driver hesitated, glancing toward Catherine.
"She said you're not to go anywhere," the driver muttered.
"Then I'll walk," Nathan said stubbornly, grabbing his jacket.
Catherine's jaw tightened as she called the driver. "Follow him. Bring him back safely."
Moments later, Nathan arrived at my house, already sweating and bleeding through his bandage.
"Elena!" he shouted.
Miguel rushed out. "Nathan! You need to calm down, come inside."
Before long, I arrived seeing the black SUV outside. My heart froze.
Inside, Nathan sat pale and trembling. "Nathan!" I cried, rushing to him. Blood stained his shirt.
I pressed a towel to his wound as we rushed him to the hospital.
The doctor shook his head. "Mr. Sterling, you shouldn't have moved. You lost more blood."
Nathan only looked at me. "Why did you leave me?"
Before I could reply, Catherine interrupted smoothly. "I told her to rest, doctor. She was exhausted."
The doctor frowned. "Whatever the case, don't leave his side again. This man survived by grace."
After a few days, Nathan was discharged again. Catherine was silent as we entered the car. Nathan turned to her gently.
"Mother, thank you for everything. I'll handle things from here."
Catherine's voice softened. "Nathan, I'll be leaving for Chicago. Your father isn't happy about you leaving the company. Come back soon, son."
She patted his hand, smiling faintly before the driver took her to the airport.
Back home, Nathan apologized. "I'm sorry for everything my mother said."
"It's alright," I said, smiling. "You should eat something."
That night, the house felt alive again. Nathan slept with his head on my arm.
The next morning, I woke to find him gone. Panicking, I ran downstairs and there he was, wearing an apron, holding a breakfast tray.
"Good morning, Elena."
I couldn't help but laugh. "You shouldn't be doing this!"
"The doctor said I'm fine."
"Sit. I'll feed you instead," I teased, taking the tray.
As we ate, the TV blared breaking news:
"The man who shot Nathan Sterling has been spotted in New York. Authorities warn he may be after his victim again."
Nathan switched off the TV, his expression darkening.
"Victor," he whispered.
He called Carlos upstairs. "I need more security around the house."
Within minutes, SUVs arrived, men installing CCTV everywhere. My phone rang, it was my mother.
"Elena, have you heard the news?"
"Yes, Mom. We're fine. Nathan already doubled security."
Later at the hospital, when Nathan went for his final checkup, I stepped out to get the doctor.
Unknowingly, Victor entered the building disguised as a nurse.
As Nathan spoke on the phone, the door creaked open.
I turned and froze.
"Victor," I whispered.
He pointed the gun at me. "You took everything from me, Elena."
Nathan burst out of the room, guards following.
"You don't have to do this!"
Victor's voice cracked. "She was supposed to be mine. You ruined everything!"
"If you still love her," Nathan said calmly, "then let her go."
"She chose you over me," Victor spat. "If I go down, one of you will too."
A gunshot echoed. Victor fell. The room went silent.
I dropped to the floor, trembling. Nathan ran to me, wrapping his arms around me.
"Are you alright?"
I nodded weakly as he handed me a cup of water. My hands shook as I drank.
Moments later, the nurse appeared. "Mr. Nathan, your room is ready."
Nathan looked at me, smiled faintly.
"Come on. Let's go."
Hours later, his bandages were removed.
Before we left, I turned to him. "Can we see my parents?"
"Of course," he said.
At my parents' house, joy filled the room. My siblings hugged me tightly.
Lucia smiled. "Honey, you see? I told you he'd be fine."
Nathan shook my father's hand. "Thank you, sir. I'll be leaving for Chicago soon, and I'd like to take Elena with me with your permission."
Miguel smiled, glancing at me. "It's Elena who decides."
I smiled shyly. "I think… I will."
Miguel nodded. "Alright. But listen, Nathan. I'm agreeing because she's happy. If anything happens, she's coming home."
Nathan smiled. "Sure. Thank you, sir."
The family laughed. The camera of life faded slowly, as if the world finally took a deep breath.
Lights fade out.