Torn Apart

Chapter 3

Doctor’s Office

Joseph sat across from the doctor while she examined Eleanor’s medical chart.

His expression was tense.

After a moment, the doctor looked up and smiled warmly.

"Good news, Mr. Sawyer," she said.

"The gunshot wound is superficial. The bullet only grazed her arm, and the wound is clean."

"With proper care, it should heal without any lasting damage."

Joseph released a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding.

"That’s a huge relief, Doctor. Thank you for taking such good care of her."

"I just want my daughter to be safe and healthy again."

The doctor nodded.

"She was very lucky."

"When can I expect her to recover?" Joseph asked.

"She should recover quickly," the doctor replied.

"I’ll prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to prevent infection."

"Just keep the wound clean and make sure she gets enough rest."

"I will," Joseph said, nodding.

"Also, she should avoid stressing that arm," the doctor added.

"No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for a few weeks."

"Understood."

"She can go home once she’s stable."

"Thank you, Doctor."

Joseph stood up and shook her hand before leaving the office.

Relief washed over him as he walked down the hallway.

~~~~

Minutes Later – Hospital Ward

Kaysen pushed the ward door open and walked inside.

He was carrying two bags, a small shopping bag and a pharmacy bag.

"Kay," Eleanor said happily when she saw him.

Kaysen walked toward her bed with a faint smile.

He placed the bags on the table beside her.

"Thank you," Eleanor said with a pout.

Kaysen raised an eyebrow.

"A proper thank you."

Eleanor leaned forward and kissed his cheek lightly.

"Thank you."

Kaysen pulled her into a gentle hug.

"I’m just glad you’re safe."

Eleanor lowered her voice.

"The shooter wasn’t even planning to kill me."

Kaysen pulled back immediately.

He snapped his fingers lightly near her forehead.

"Ouch!" Eleanor frowned.

"You can’t be harsh on a patient."

"Still trying to defend him?" Kaysen asked, raising a brow.

Eleanor bit her lower lip and looked down.

"After all… it’s not like we can question them," she muttered quietly.

Kaysen’s expression hardened.

"Even in that mafia world, he shouldn’t be the one hurting you."

Eleanor looked up suddenly.

"Wait… you saw him?"

Kaysen let out a dry laugh.

"Where should I start?"

"The black power bike. The black jacket. The black helmet. The black mask."

"Everything black."

"Kay…" her voice cracked.

"You knew too!" he snapped.

"You saw him and still kept quiet."

"You lied."

"Sapphire came here too."

"Your secret meetings… I know everything you’ve been hiding."

Tears filled Eleanor’s eyes.

"I’m sorry, Kay…"

"Stop trying to look pathetic," Kaysen said coldly.

"You’re always sorry. Does that change anything?"

Eleanor wiped her tears.

"The truth is… he was assigned to kill me."

"But he didn’t."

"He only grazed my arm."

Kaysen scoffed.

"He didn’t?"

"Then he should have rejected the task!"

"But whenever it comes to him, you can’t even tell right from wrong."

"I’m not obsessed," Eleanor said quickly.

"He’s just a friend."

"A friend?" Kaysen laughed bitterly.

"Who knows if he has already killed someone before or after shooting you?"

"He wouldn’t kill anyone," Eleanor insisted.

Kaysen shook his head.

"Until he does it right in front of you."

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"I don’t even know why I’m getting worked up."

"You’re just proving that I’m nothing more than a stranger your father brought in to protect you."

"No, brother..."

"Don’t call me that!" he cut in sharply.

"Call me Kaysen."

"You are my brother!" Eleanor said, her voice shaking.

Kaysen let out a bitter laugh.

"Is it until I put on a black suit and tie before you understand my role here?"

"You’re getting it all wrong," Eleanor said.

"Is that coming from someone who can’t tell right from wrong?" he shot back.

"I do," she insisted.

"Your father told you to stay away from them!"

Eleanor shook her head.

"I can’t… I just can’t."

"We all grew up together," she continued softly.

"You liked him too."

"So why did you change?"

Kaysen’s expression hardened.

"You think I had a choice?" he said quietly.

"I follow orders."

"That’s how I was raised."

Tears rolled down Eleanor’s cheeks as she looked at him.

"And you think he had a choice?"