Logan’s POV
I rush to Nadine’s side, thankful for the vest that saved my life. I can see the pain on her face, blood seeping from her wound. I scream for the paramedics, trying to numb my pain because she needs me now more than ever.
“Stay with me, Nadine!” I shake her gently, desperate to keep her awake. But she smiles weakly, her eyes filled with pain, and holds my face. “Take care of our son,” her voice barely audible.
My heart shatters as she slowly closes her eyes. “Nadine, no!” I shout, with grief. The paramedics arrive, and I watch in a daze as they place her on a stretcher and load her into the ambulance. I climb in beside her, holding her hand as they work to save her life.
The sirens blare, and the ambulance speeds away. My mind raced with thoughts of losing her. I’m trying to stay strong, but my heart is breaking. I’m whispering to her, “Don’t leave me, Nadine. Please don’t leave me.” But she’s not responding. I’m left with only the sound of my desperate pleas.
I’m living a nightmare, with the events unfolding at lightning speed. If only Nadine’s bodyguards had done their job, she wouldn’t be fighting for her life.
But a nagging voice in my head won’t let up, taunting me with the idea that maybe, just maybe, this is for the best. With Ethan and Sydney gone, the threats against Nadine seem to have vanished.
But can I trust that? Are there no other dangers lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike?
As we speed through the deserted roads, the ambulance siren piercing the air, I’m trapped in a world of fear and doubt.
Nadine’s life is hanging in the balance. Every passing moment feels like an eternity.
The secluded environment only adds to the time dragging, making me feel like we’re the only ones left in the world.
Suddenly the ambulance screeches to a halt, and the paramedics rush to unload Nadine. I follow closely behind, my heart racing. We burst through the hospital doors, and the medical team springs into action.
“Sir, you need to wait here,” one of the nurses says, trying to guide me away.
But I refuse to leave Nadine’s side. I need to know she’s going to be okay. I need to see her through this.
The doctor’s face is grim as he works to save her. I can see the concern on his face, and it only adds to my fear.
“Please,” I whisper, my voice shaking. “You have to save her.”
The doctor looks up. “We’re doing everything we can,” he says. “But you need to let us work.”
I nod, feeling helpless, and take a step back. But my eyes are not leaving Nadine. I’m willing her to stay with me, to fight through this.
And then, the doctor turns to me, his face somber.
“We’ve done everything we can,” he says. “But it’s up to her now. She slipped into a coma.”
My heart drops, and I feel like I’m going to collapse. But I refuse to give up. I refuse to lose her.
“Nadine,” I whisper, my voice shaking. “Please come back to me.”
*****
Days turn into weeks, and I find myself in and out of the hospital more than I care to admit. After everything that happened, I fired the security company without hesitation. I didn’t just switch teams-I overhauled the entire system. There’s no room for mistakes now.
Nadine has been in a coma for two weeks, and though I didn’t expect much, her family has been a constant source of support. Nathalie, Jake, Mr. and Mrs. Witte-they’re always here, helping me when I start to lose it. Then there’s this man I keep seeing around, always on the edges, never too close. I’ve learned his name is Gabriel.
Lately, I have been paranoid. Meeting new people feels like stepping into a minefield. You never know who’s waiting to stab you in the back, to tear you down when you’re not looking.
I’ve already lived through that with Nadine, and I’m not about to go through it again. The exhaustion has settled deep in my bones, and I can’t bear the thought of another betrayal.
“Logan, you should go home, I’ll watch her this time,” Mrs. Witte calls out to me, but I just stare blankly, unable to respond. My mind is a jumble of doubts, unsure of who to trust. It feels like the moment I step away, something terrible will happen to Nadine.
“No, ma, I’ll wait,” I say finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “I want to be the first person she sees when she wakes up.” Mrs. Witte smiles at me lovingly.
“I know your fears, Logan, but I trust no harm will come to her again.” She says with a smile.
I look at her sharply, wondering how she can be so sure. I don’t need to be told I look like shit – the last time I checked myself in the mirror, I was scared by the face staring back at me. Dark bags under my eyes, a rumpled shirt, and I’m looking unkempt.
Nadine won’t be happy seeing you like this,” Mrs. Witte says with a gentle smile, so it won’t sound like an insult.
“Okay, ma,” I say, making my way out of the hospital to go home and change.
I feel a sense of relief knowing Shawn is safe under my care. I’ve hired a maid and bodyguard to watch over him at my house, and I can’t wait until Nadine is well enough to come home, where I can keep a close eye on her too.
As I prepare to leave, I turn to Mrs. Witte with a heartfelt request. “Please, ma, don’t leave her side until I get back, and if anything happens, call me immediately.”
She reassured me with a warm smile. “Okay, Logan, trust me, she’s my daughter too.”
“Okay, thanks,” I say, leaning in to kiss Nadine’s forehead softly before stepping out.
The October breeze brushes against me as I wave down a cab since I’m in no mood to drive. Sliding into the back seat, I give the driver my address, sinking into the seat as my thoughts take over.
The events of the past week are heavy on me. Everywhere I turn, the media is buzzing, gossip swirling nonstop about what happened. It’s been relentless, like a storm I can’t escape.
I’ve made it my mission to silence them, using every resource at my disposal to stop the leaks. No one can know more about Nadine’s condition-not until I’m ready. The last thing I need is more eyes on us.
It feels like a breath of fresh air when I finally step through the door, and the moment I do, my little boy comes rushing towards me. “Buddy, you’re home!” he says, his face lighting up.
I crouch down and pull him into a tight hug. “Yes, I’m home.”
He looks up at me with those big, innocent eyes. “How’s Mom?” he asks, his voice small and pouty.
“She’s fine,” I tell him, but inside, my heart sinks. How do you explain to a three-year-old that his mom was shot and is lying in a hospital bed, in a coma?
“Soon, she’ll be back,” I say, trying to smile for him. “And how have you been, buddy?”
“Not fine without Mom,” he mumbles, burying his face into my chest. I held him closer, wishing I could protect him from this pain.
“Hey, I got you something,” I say, pulling him out of the hug, hoping to distract him even for a little while.
His face lights up with a smile.
“What is it, buddy?” he asks, with curiosity.
“I got you a puzzle,” I say, pulling it out. “It’s got big pieces and colorful pictures. And here’s a building block set too.”
When I rushed to the supermarket, I didn’t know what to get. I just wanted to find something that might make him happy, something to distract him from thinking about Nadine, even if only for a little while.
“Buddy, thank you so much!” he says, grinning as he hugs the toys tightly. His smile is everything.
Rosa, his nanny, stands nearby, watching with a smile. Once I’m done with my little boy, I head straight for the bathroom. A hot shower, a shave, and a change into something comfortable is exactly what I need.
The idea of resting crosses my mind, so I stretch out on the bed, planning to just relax for a bit. But I must’ve drifted off, because the next thing I know, the sudden ringing of my phone jolts me awake.
Mrs. Witte’s name flashes on the screen, and instantly. There’s only one reason she’d be calling-it has to be about Nadine.