CHAINS OF THE HEART

CHAPTER 3 Car accident

Kolton's calm tone sliced through the quiet. "I'll accompany Luther. We should at least confirm she's out of immediate danger." Luther's eyes met Kolton's, a flicker of gratitude dancing in their depths before his mask of composure slipped back into place. "Let's proceed," he said, his voice firm and resolute.

The warm glow of the fireplace cast a golden light on Alexander's study, the crackle of the flames a soothing background hum. Luther's phone shattered the moment, its vibration a jarring intrusion. He stepped away, his expression darkening as he listened to the voice on the other end. The words seemed to weigh heavily on him, his features growing increasingly somber as the conversation continued. After hanging up, he returned to face Alexander and the rest.

"What is it?" Alexander inquired, his eyes narrowing as he leaned forward, his voice low and husky. Luther paused before replying, "It's Doctor Karan. Ember's been admitted to the hospital, and she's refusing medical attention." Alexander's expression darkened, "She intends to take her own life." Luther nodded in confirmation. "Doctor Karan mentioned she's been attempting to slit her wrists." Kolton's eyes narrowed before he spoke up. "We need to go to the hospital." Alexander's tone was icy, his words dripping with a subtle menace. "Taking her life would be giving her an easy escape. I'll ensure she experiences more pain than that." Ezekiel's gaze stayed steadfast, though Luther's shifted slightly, a flicker of discomfort dancing in his eyes.

Luther and Kolton navigated the hospital corridor, the scent of disinfectant and the soft beeping of machines filling the air. The distant sounds of shattering glass grew louder, and they quickened their pace. When they reached the source of the noise, they found it was Ember's hospital room. Ian, one of Alexander's trusted aides, approached them, his eyes locked onto Luther's with a hint of concern. "She's been getting more agitated by the minute," he said, his voice low and urgent. Luther's gaze met Ian's, his eyes burning with a quiet intensity. "I'll take care of it," he said, his voice husky and confident. Kolton intervened, his hand on Luther's arm, his touch sending a spark of tension through the air. "She is in a very distressing psychological state at the moment," he stated, attempting to dissuade him from entering. Luther's response was a comforting smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and a gentle pat on the shoulder, his hand lingering a fraction of a second too long. "I've got this, Kolton," Luther said, his voice low and soothing, his eyes never leaving Kolton's. With a quiet confidence, he stepped into the hospital room, the soft hiss of the door closing behind him a stark contrast to the chaos that lay within. As he made his entrance, he was greeted by a chilling scene. A nurse drenched in a pool of blood, alongside the defiant and pale-faced Ember clutching the jagged glass tightly, resembling a villain straight out of a horror film.

“Don’t approach me any closer,” she said, attempting to prevent Luther from getting any nearer. Her voice was laced with desperation, her eyes flashing with a mix of fear and defiance. Luther's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with a quiet intensity. He took a step closer, his movements slow and deliberate. Luther glimpsed a dagger adorned with a unique design showcasing inscribed patterns that resembled a specific symbol linked to "The Owls." Luther's discovery ignited a sense of caution as he speculated that "The Owls" might have infiltrated the hospital. Nevertheless, they were hesitant to act because Alexander's bodyguards encircled the hospital grounds. "Just that, huh?" he teased with a playful smirk on his face, glancing down at her hands clutching the shattered glass.

His eyes lingered on her fingers, noticing the way her knuckles were white with tension. As he spoke, his voice took on a low, husky tone, his words dripping with a sense of calm control. Ember's eyes flashed with a mix of fear and defiance, her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths.

"Do you want Cross to see you in this chaotic state?" he asked, the smirk still lingering on his face. His eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with a quiet intensity. Upon mentioning Alexander's name, it became evident that Ember's demeanor shifted, her eyes flashing with a mix of fear and anxiety. The mention of Alexander's name seemed to have a profound effect on her, causing her to hesitate for a moment. Luther's smirk grew wider, his eyes gleaming with a hint of amusement as he watched Ember's reaction.

The dagger, still visible on the bedside table, seemed to be a silent witness to the unfolding drama. As he turned to leave, his gaze met Ember's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Luther realized he had struck a nerve and made his way out, instructing Ian to tidy up the room and summon the doctor to attend to her. His eyes lingered on Ember's pale complexion, noticing the way her skin seemed to glow in the soft light of the hospital room. It was still before eight, and the physician on duty hadn’t begun their shift yet; only the on-call doctor was available.

Ember remained on the hospital bed, observing his fading silhouette. One hand concealed her face, and a sorrowful smile formed on her pale complexion, with a solitary tear trickling down. Her eyes seemed to hold a deep sadness, a sense of longing that was palpable in the air. Luther's footsteps echoed down the hallway, the sound fading into the distance. Ember's gaze lingered on the empty space where he had stood, her heart heavy with emotion. The scent of disinfectant and the soft hum of the fluorescent lights seemed to fade into the background as she lost herself in thought.

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When Luther came out of the hospital room, he recounted the incident with the dagger, speculating that the Owls likely suspected Ember was contemplating suicide and they wanted to exploit the situation. However, Luther was still unclear about how the dagger was brought into Ember's hospital room.

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The night air was crisp and cool, the only sound heard was the distant hum of crickets. Alexander's villa was shrouded in darkness, the windows like empty eyes staring back. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. A woman, dressed in a long, black coat, her face obscured by a hood. She moved with a quiet purpose, her eyes fixed on the villa. As she reached the entrance, she slowed, her gaze lingering on the door. For a moment, she seemed to hesitate, her hand reaching out to touch the handle.

Then, she turned, her eyes scanning the surrounding area. Her gaze locked onto something, and she froze, her body tense. Alexander's housekeeper who had noticed the woman's silhouette felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something hauntingly familiar about the woman's stance, something that echoed in her mind.

But before she could place it, the woman vanished into the night, leaving behind only the faintest whisper of her presence. Ember's hospital room was a luxurious VIP suite, designed to provide comfort and tranquility during her stay. The room was spacious, with a large window that let in plenty of natural light and offered a stunning view of the city skyline. The room was divided into different areas, each with its own unique features.

Ember's eyes flickered open, her gaze unfocused. She was met with the sterile smell of antiseptic and the beeping of medical machines. A nurse stood over her, a kind smile on her face. "Welcome back, dear. You've been through quite an ordeal." Ember's gaze drifted around the room, taking in the IV drip, the monitors, and the bodyguards stationed outside her door. Her eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched. She didn't want treatment. She knew her days on earth were counting.

The nurse, oblivious to Ember's thoughts, continued to chat, trying to reassure her. But Ember's responses were monosyllabic, her actions speaking louder than words. She refused to take the medication offered to her, her hand clenching into a fist. She turned her face away, her eyes darting around the brightly lit VIP ward.