He rushed from one doctor to the other, waiting in front of the OT hopefully, leaving no stone unturned in his attempt to save his dad. The operation was successful. The bullet fragment lodged was removed, and they shifted his dad to the ICU. Ashton didn’t leave the hospital, waiting for the neurological examinations and serial imaging reports.
It was evening when his dad gained consciousness and wanted to see him. The nurse allowed him inside the ICU for a brief visit. He went inside to find his dad looking pale and drained. “How are you now, Dad?” he asked, bringing a stool to sit at his bedside. His dad shook his head, having difficulty speaking.
“Why did you shift me here, Ashton? This place is so expensive,” he croaked softly, unable to speak much.
“It’s okay, Dad. I can afford it. Your health is most important.”
“I’m not feeling any better, son. I can feel my body giving up on me,” said his dad, releasing a deep sigh. Ashton grabbed his hand as a feeling of dread washed over him.
“It’s because you just underwent two surgeries within twenty-four hours. You’ll be better, Dad. Why don’t you rest?”
“Maybe. How long will they keep me here? Can’t you take me home? Your home,” pleaded his dad.
“I will, Dad but I want you to recover first. I’ll take you to Miami with me.”
The nurse arrived and injected some medicines into his channel. After five minutes, his dad again fell asleep. Ashton had no choice but to go back to his hotel. He didn’t want to go home in case Daniel Van Every found out about his secret. He would explain to them, but not right now. The next two days, his dad was drowsy, and he didn’t interact with him much. The reports weren’t good as the three bullets lodged in his body for a long time caused more damage than the doctors had initially diagnosed.
Fresh scans were conducted, and they indicated a fracture in the cervical spine, where the fragmented part of the bullet was lodged. It caused more neurological degeneration. There was internal abdominal bleeding that needed a repeat laparoscopy. With his bowel movement obstructed, the doctors again started a different treatment for his dad. His health deteriorated more, and they immediately wheeled him away to the OT.
Ashton sat with his head in his hands. He hadn’t expected everything to go downhill so soon. After the first operation, he had felt hopeful, but now he couldn’t keep track of the complications anymore. He sat helplessly, waiting for the result of the operation. In the last two days, his dad didn’t at all open his eyes to chat with him. He contemplated on shifting him to Bellevue Hospital if they couldn’t handle the case. Suddenly, he started losing faith in the Healthcare system of the city. Why couldn’t they have conducted a comprehensive test to check for damage?
After twenty minutes, the door opened, and the doctor appeared to apologize for the unsuccessful surgery.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Pierce. The patient suffered a stroke in the middle of the surgery. It was so unexpected, we couldn’t save his life.”
Ashton staggered backward with shock. He had expected the operation to be unsuccessful like the others before it but he hadn’t expected his dad to die. How could he die when they had just reunited after fifteen years? No, they were mistaken. He couldn’t die.
“Are you sure? Maybe he is just unconscious. He can’t die when he was doing fine after the first surgery. He talked to me. How can he die, doctor?” he rambled on incoherently.
“No, Mr. Pierce, the bullets were lodged in his body for a long time and the damage was way too much to save his life. We still tried our best. I’m sorry, we couldn’t save his life.” The nurse wheeled his father out, completely covered in a white sheet. It made Ashton stop in his tracks and gape at him with a lost expression on his face. Pulling the cover off, he watched the serene look on his dad’s face. He didn’t look like he was in pain. He looked calm and relieved.
“I’m sorry for your loss, Mr. Pierce,” said the nurse. Ashton nodded, walking beside his dad in a state of daze. There was no one he could call for his funeral. He was too shocked to even shed tears. For years he had battled with every hardship life threw his way, only with the hope of rescuing his dad. Now that his dad was rescued, he was snatched away from him again. This time forever.
The next two days, Ashton completed the formalities and went ahead with the funeral, all on his own. He still couldn’t believe that his dad was no more. Later, he left for Miami but wasn’t in the frame of mind to rejoin work. He booked a room on the beach and stayed there to get a grip on himself for a few days. There wasn’t anyone to blame but himself. Maybe if he took his dad to Bellevue Hospital, he would have received better treatment. After all, Eva was there to guide him. Why didn’t he think of that before?
The thought pained him and he broke down totally, crying for what he lost.
In the meantime:
Hayley and her dad relaxed over a cup of coffee after a tiring day at work, discussing the case. “The SEAL Team chose the correct time to attack Gambino, otherwise it would have been impossible to wipe out his entire extortion business,” said her dad. Ever since Gambino’s death, they could go to work freely, with no fear.
“Yes, he was invincible, but who could have tipped DeLuca? I think it would be an insider’s job.”
“Maybe. These people have more enemies than friends. So did Ashton call you? He should be relieved that he’s free of all threats now.” Hayley looked crestfallen and shook her head. She had been expecting his call every day for the last two weeks now, but he hadn’t even called or messaged her.
“Maybe he’s busy.”
“Why don’t you call him and talk to him?” suggested her dad.
Later Hayley called his number but strangely it was switched off but she refused to give up. She looked up Hotel Bayview’s number from the internet and called them.
“Good afternoon, this is Gina McCain from Hotel Bayview, Miami. How may I assist you?” said a sweet voice from the other end.
“Good afternoon. I’m Hayley Barclay and I wish to speak to your GM, Ashton Pierce, please.”
“Sorry ma’am. Sir isn’t here in Miami. He has left for New York two weeks ago and hasn’t returned yet,” said the receptionist. Hayley’s jaws dropped with surprise. Ashton was here in NYC and hadn’t contacted her yet! How could that be possible?
“Oh, thank you. Please call me at this number whenever he returns. This is very important.”
“Sure ma’am. I’ll note it down.”
“Thank you.” Hayley called Alexander, but he said he hadn’t seen Ashton since returning from Preston Island. Ashton hadn’t even gone to the Van Every home, and they had no news of him. Worried, she paced the living room, chewing her lips and thinking of whom to contact next.
“What’s up? Did you talk to Ashton?” asked her dad as he came over to watch a match.
“No dad. I called him, but his phone is switched off. I called at his hotel but they informed me he’s here in New York. He hasn’t contacted Alexander or his parents. He has simply disappeared, dad. I hope he isn’t in any trouble.” Her dad pondered over it and looked worried too.
“Give me his phone number. I’ll ask the police to track him down.”
Hayley gave her dad both the phone numbers she had and he called the police to have them traced.
After a few hours, an officer called back to inform that Ashton’s number had been traced to a hotel on Miami Beach.
“He might be on a vacation!” said her dad with a chuckle, but Hayley was furious. He had the time to go on a vacation and couldn’t call them to thank them for their efforts.
“I’m going to Miami to drill some sense into his thick skull.” She stormed into her room, not even paying any heed to her dad’s words. She was done with waiting for Ashton Pierce. How could he do this to her? How could he be so insensitive? Now she would take matters in her hand and demand a closure on her love story.
When she emerged, she heard her dad reading a news article. “The Baylor Group of hotels is looking for an investing partner.”
“Great. Can we be their investing partner, dad?” she asked, her eyes glittering with excitement.
“It’s your call, Hayley. Study their annual financial report and see if we get our ROI.”
“Fine. I will do that. See you, dad.” Hayley planted a kiss on his cheek and left for the airport. She would now pursue what was rightfully hers. She would now pursue Ashton Pierce and get some closure on her love story. For that, she could go to any lengths!