chapter 15. Between Life And Death
827 Words
The helicopter sliced through the night sky.
Inside, the deafening sound of the rotors couldn't drown out the frantic voices of the paramedics.
"Blood pressure is dropping!"
"Prepare another unit of O-negative!"
I refused to let go of James's hand.
His fingers, once warm and steady, were growing colder by the second.
"James..."
I squeezed his hand tightly.
"You promised me."
His eyelids fluttered, but they didn't open.
One of the paramedics gently touched my shoulder.
"Ma'am, we need room to work."
I shook my head.
"I'm not leaving him."
James had risked his life for me more times than I could count.
Now it was my turn to stay by his side.
The helicopter landed on the rooftop of Sterling Memorial Hospital.
The medical team rushed James toward the operating room.
A pair of doors slammed shut between us.
The red light above the operating theater switched on.
SURGERY IN PROGRESS.
My knees gave out.
I slid to the floor outside the operating room, unable to stop the tears.
Michael Bennett sat beside me.
He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Rose..."
"He'll make it."
I looked at him through tear-filled eyes.
"What if he doesn't?"
Michael was silent.
For the first time...
He had no comforting words.
---
Three hours later...
The operating room doors finally opened.
The lead surgeon stepped out, removing his surgical mask.
Everyone stood.
"Doctor?"
The surgeon looked exhausted.
"The bullet narrowly missed his heart."
Hope flickered inside me.
"But..."
My heart sank.
"He lost a great deal of blood."
"We managed to stop the bleeding."
"However..."
"Mr. Sterling has not regained consciousness."
I felt the world tilt beneath me.
"What does that mean?"
The doctor hesitated.
"The next twenty-four hours are critical."
"If he wakes up..."
"His chances are excellent."
"And if he doesn't?"
The doctor's silence was enough.
---
Later that night...
I quietly entered James's private hospital room.
The machines beeped softly in the darkness.
His face looked peaceful.
Too peaceful.
I sat beside him and gently took his hand.
"I'm sorry."
"I never wanted your life to become like this."
A tear slipped down my cheek.
"I thought our marriage was just a contract."
"I told myself I'd never fall in love with you."
I laughed weakly.
"I was wrong."
I brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead.
"I love you, James."
"And if you wake up..."
"I'll spend the rest of my life proving it."
Suddenly...
I felt a slight movement.
My heart raced.
"James?"
His fingers...
Had tightened around mine.
My voice trembled.
I held my breath as I watched his hand.
His fingers tightened around mine once more.
"Doctor!" I cried.
"Doctor, please!"
Within seconds, the door burst open.
The doctor and two nurses rushed inside.
The doctor checked James's pulse before shining a light into his eyes.
"Mr. Sterling?"
There was no response.
My heart sank again.
"What's happening?"
The doctor looked at the monitor.
"His body is responding."
"But he's still unconscious."
"What does that mean?"
"It means he can hear you."
The words filled me with hope.
I turned back to James and gently stroked his hand.
"If you can hear me..."
"Please come back."
"I still have so many things to tell you."
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
"I never thanked you..."
"For protecting me."
"For believing in me."
"For loving me."
The room fell silent.
Then...
A weak voice broke the silence.
"You..."
I gasped.
James's lips moved slightly.
"You..."
His eyelids slowly fluttered open.
The gray eyes I had fallen in love with finally met mine.
"Rose..."
Fresh tears streamed down my face.
"You woke up."
A faint smile appeared on his pale face.
"I told you..."
"I always keep my promises."
Unable to stop myself, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him as gently as I could.
"I thought I lost you."
"You almost did," he whispered with a weak smile.
The doctor chuckled softly.
"I hate to interrupt this reunion, but Mr. Sterling needs rest."
James looked at the doctor.
"Five minutes."
The doctor sighed.
"Five."
He motioned for the nurses to leave.
When the room was quiet again, James reached into the bedside drawer.
Rose frowned.
"What are you doing?"
He pulled out a small velvet box.
Her eyes widened.
"James..."
He smiled despite the pain.
"Our first marriage..."
"It was only a contract."
He slowly opened the box.
Inside was a breathtaking diamond ring.
"I don't want a contract anymore."
"I want forever."
Tears blurred Rose's vision.
He looked into her eyes.
"Rose Bennett..."
"Will you marry me again?"
This time...
"For real?"
Before Rose could answer—
The hospital door slammed open.
Evelyn rushed inside, her face pale.
"Mr. Sterling!"
James looked up.
"What is it?"
Evelyn struggled to catch her breath.
"We've just received confirmation..."
She swallowed hard.
"Victor escaped police custody."
The smile vanished from James's face.
Rose's heart dropped.
Their nightmare...
Was far from over.
- Writer
