A guard escorted Santiago into the waiting room, his face marred by bruises and wounds and his gait unsteady. Alex could not suppress a smirk at the sight. This was his handiwork. After departing the police station en route to his parents' house, he had called and instructed a guard to arrange for Santiago's "persuasion" at the hands of fellow inmates. The objective was clear: if Santiago was indeed responsible for Emily's abduction, this rough treatment would surely compel him to confess. As Santiago stumbled forward, his satisfaction grew, sensing that his plan was unfolding precisely as intended.Reaching Alex's front, Santiago went down on his knees immediately."Please, Mr. Thornton. I know I've said and done a lot of things to you, but please forgive me. I've realised I can never be a match for you. I was nothing but an ignorant fool to think that I could. I have no power anymore. Everyone whom I had thought would help me out of this mess has abandoned me." He pleaded while h
As promised, Henry returned to the city the next morning and headed straight to Alex's mansion.Alex could not believe his eyes when he saw Henry at his doorstep. In fact, it was Henry's arrival that woke him from his slumber, the remnants of last night's drinking still weighing him down.He chuckled in disbelief and threw his arm around Henry's shoulder, pulling him into a brotherly hug."Thanks, man. I really appreciate this. Thanks for always being there for me," he said, his breath reeking of alcohol as he patted Henry's back. "Man, you drank a lot last night," Henry chuckled as they disentangled from the hug.Alex's eyes, which had been bright upon seeing Henry, suddenly transformed into gloom. "You can't blame me, man. I just didn't know what to do.""It's okay. It will be fine." Henry assured him as they walked inside.Once inside and seated, Alex explained to Henry how his conversation with the investigator had gone."I'm very sure we are going to save her. I trust the invest
Upon arriving at the location, Alex was disappointed to find that the police officers had not arrived."I don't see the point of these useless officers," he muttered under his breath as he got out of the car.Henry called for him to return to the car, but he ignored him and walked determinedly towards the house at the address the private investigator had given him."Mr. Thornton," a voice from behind made him halt his track as he turned to see who it belonged to. It was the private investigator."What do you think you are doing? Where are the police officers? What's taking them so long?" He inquisitively asked Alex."Those useless officers are not here, which is why I have to go in myself." His face was creased. Henry had moved to stand behind them."Do you know what you are saying? You don't know what is in there, and you still want to go in regardless.""I don't care what awaits me in there or who the hell is there... All I know is that I'm going in." Alex insisted. "What is happ
Alex's heart raced as he clung to Emily's hand, his voice breaking with desperation. "Em...please stay with me. Don't die on me, please. Wake up; I'm now here." His words echoed down the hospital's hallway, his tears falling on her lifeless body as three nurses wheeled the stretcher rapidly towards the emergency ward, their faces masked with determination.As the stretcher approached the heavy doors of the emergency room, he tried to follow, his grip tightening on her hand and his heart pounding in his chest. But a nurse, her eyes kind but firm, gently blocked his path."Please, Mr. Thornton..." she said softly, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "You can't enter inside with us. Stay here while we attend to her in the ward," she said, her tone firm but understanding."What do you mean?" He scrunched his face in annoyance."Look, that may be your protocol, but I'm going inside there. Nothing can stop me from that." He added sternly.The nurse sighed, her expression serious. "Mr.
"Could she...could she..." Alex shook his head, not bringing himself to believe the thought that had overwhelmed his mind upon hearing the doctor's utterance. "Mr. Thornton, it would be better if we discussed it in my office." The doctor added. That confirmed his worst suspicions, and he felt his world crash down, believing Emily had died because of him—or so he thought."What do you mean by that?" Henry interrupted, while Alex stood in shock, convinced of the worst."I'm his best friend and confidant," Henry continued. "There is no need for him to follow you to your office to hear the news. I will be there too. Please tell us right now."The doctor glanced at Alex, as if seeking permission to break the news. Alex nodded sluggishly, convinced he already knew what the news was about.The doctor began, "Whatever she witnessed caused her severe shock, resulting in a panic attack and loss of consciousness. Given what she endured while being held captive, including physical and emotiona
Alex was relieved when the doctor smiled before he spoke. The doctor then told him that the operation was successful."Thank you so much, doctor." He thanked the doctor, beaming with a smile."When can we visit her in a room?" he asked, his voice tight with worry."We will be moving her to the post-op floor in about 20 minutes. However, I'm afraid you won't be able to until tomorrow morning, Mr. Thornton," the doctor replied.Alex's face fell, his shoulders slumping. "Seriously? Why can't I see her tonight? Is it because of the visiting hours?" He pressed, frustration creeping into his tone because visiting hours were not meant to be a restraint for a person like him. "Or is something still wrong that you are not telling me?" He added."No, Mr. Thornton, it is not because of the visiting hours." The doctor smiled."It's just for precautions to avoid some implications because she would be examined closely in the room throughout today. But rest assured, they are both fine." He added,
Alex could not tell if the chaos in his life lately was karma for what he had done, especially to Emily and their child. He wished he could take the punishment instead of them. Seeing Emily suffer was unbearable.Even without knowing the full extent of her ordeal during the abduction, watching her struggle on the hospital bed for the past two days was gut-wrenching."Mr. Thornton..." The doctor began."She experienced severe cardiac arrhythmia due to the extreme stress of recent events. We have managed to stabilise her condition, but she remains unconscious. The trauma appears to have been overwhelming for her system. At this point, we are monitoring her closely and hoping she regains consciousness soon. Her recovery is largely dependent on her body's ability to heal itself now."The doctor's words hit Alex like a sucker punch, leaving him winded and hollow. His mind reeled, trying to process the gravity of Emily's condition."God knows what happened to her in there." He muttered afte
Alex pushed open the door to Emily's hospital room, his heart sinking as he saw her still form on the bed. The steady beep of the heart monitor was the only sound breaking the silence. For a moment, he just stood there, frozen, as the weight of everything crashed down on him.He approached slowly, his eyes fixed on her pale face, willing her to open her eyes. She looked so fragile, surrounded by tubes and wires.He sank into the chair beside her bed, taking her hand gently in his. It felt so small and fragile. A lump formed in his throat as he struggled to find words."Hey, Em," he whispered, his voice cracking.He took her hand gently, his thumb tracing circles on her skin. "I'm back. I... I need you to wake up, okay? Please."He then squeezed her hand, searching for any sign of response. Nothing.His voice broke as he continued, tears welling up."I'm so sorry. God, I'm so sorry for everything. I know I've messed up big time. But I swear, if you just open your eyes, I'll make it r