Chapter 4
814 Words
The second she hung up the phone, the ward door burst open.
Jasper stepped inside, his face darker and grimmer than before. He seized her and pulled her to her feet. "Come with me."
Cindy struggled against his grip. "Let go of me!"
Jasper's voice was sharp and stern. "Stop fighting. A critically injured suspect needs an emergency blood transfusion, and the blood bank is running dry. Only you and Jenna have a matching blood type on site. Jenna collapsed from low blood sugar earlier; you're the only one fit to donate."
Cindy's head snapped up in shock.
"You want me to... give blood to the man who almost killed me? Not a chance!"
Jasper looked at her, his tone calm and unnerving. "Cindy, he is a key suspect. He must stay alive to stand trial."
"What about me?" Cindy stared straight at him, fresh tears welling up. "My life means nothing, is that it? Jenna gets a pass for a little low blood sugar, but I—who barely survived—am expected to bleed for the man who destroyed me?"
Jasper fell silent for a long moment.
"Once the transfusion is done, I'll take you to Switzerland. You've always wanted to go, haven't you? Our wedding anniversary is next month. We can—"
Cindy cut him off, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I don't want it! Jasper, I don't want Switzerland, I don't care about our anniversary, and I don't want you! I want a divorce!"
Jasper's brows knotted in a fierce scowl. "Don't talk nonsense."
Cindy enunciated every word, her voice shaking with resolve. "I mean it. I don't love you anymore."
Jasper looked at her and suddenly let out a faint, derisive laugh, as if he were watching a child throw a petty tantrum.
"Don't say things you'll regret. It's been five years—you can't live without me. Nurse, start the transfusion."
Two nurses stepped forward, pinning Cindy down on either side.
She struggled with all her remaining strength, but her body was far too weak. Within seconds, they had her secured in the chair.
A rubber tourniquet tightened around her upper arm. Cold alcohol swiped across her skin before the needle pierced her vein.
Her blood flowed steadily down the tube, draining the last traces of warmth from her body.
Dizziness and nausea crashed over her; the world began to blur.
All she could hear was the steady rhythmic beep of the machines and Jasper's low voice in the background, barking orders over the phone.
Cindy forced her eyes open, watching bag after bag of her blood being taken away.
300cc, 500cc, 800cc...
She grew colder and weaker by the second, her breathing turning shallow and labored.
"Just hold on. It's almost over."
Just then, the operating room door was violently slammed open.
The suspect, who was supposed to be critically injured, came charging out, a scalpel clutched tightly in his hand.
He had never been weak. It was all an act.
With a ferocious snarl, he lunged straight for Jenna.
"Get back!"
Jasper reacted in an instant. He threw himself in front of Jenna to shield her while reaching for the knife.
But the suspect abruptly changed direction, the blade arcing straight toward Cindy—who sat pinned in the chair, completely defenseless.
It happened in the blink of an eye.
No one could react in time.
Cindy watched in pure despair as the blade hurtled toward her, her body too heavy to move.
The steel sank into her flesh with a sickening thud. Agony exploded through her, and in that split second, she saw Jasper raise his gun.
Bang! Bang!
Two gunshots rang out.
The suspect froze, then crumpled slowly to the ground.
Jasper remained in his protective stance, shielding Jenna in his arms. The woman trembled against his chest.
But his eyes were fixed entirely on Cindy. For the first time, his usually unshakable face was etched with raw, unbridled panic.
"Cindy..."
He let go of Jenna instantly and lunged toward her.
She parted her lips, trying to say something, but only a mouthful of blood spilled out.
*****
Cindy spent ten days in the intensive care unit.
Jasper came every single day. He would speak briefly with her attending doctor, then spend the rest of his time answering calls and handling official business before leaving.
On the tenth day, Cole came to pick her up.
"Cindy, Jasper is out of town on an urgent mission today."
Cindy said nothing. She leaned away from his outstretched hand, refusing his help, and climbed into the car on her own.
Back at the empty villa, she took her painkillers and began to pack her things.
She didn't notice the bedroom door creaking open softly, or the shadow slipping into the room.
Before Cindy could even scream, a heavy blow crashed into the back of her neck.
- Writer
