Chapter 023

Hailey's POV The gunshot still echoed in my mind, leaving my ears ringing and my surroundings eerily silent. I stared down at Mrs. Alora, my confusion giving way to panic as I realized I had to act fast. I applied pressure to the wound, screaming for help as tears streamed down my face. My voice was the only sound I could hear, and I didn't care that my dress was getting ruined – all that mattered was saving Mrs. Alora's life. Minutes felt like an eternity, but eventually, the ambulance arrived, responding to someone's frantic calls for help. The paramedics rushed to our side, and I sat beside Mrs. Alora in the ambulance, clutching her hands as they administered oxygen and first aid. My voice was hoarse from screaming, but I whispered the only words that mattered: "Stay with me, mom, please stay with me." As we sped towards the hospital, my hearing began to return, and the sounds of the sirens and the paramedics' calm voices filled the air. We arrived at the hospital, and Mrs. Alora was whisked away on a stretcher, surrounded by a team of nurses and doctors. I watched, helpless, as they rushed her into the operating room for emergency surgery. I was asked to sign some papers, my hand shaking as I scribbled my signature. Afterwards, I made the difficult call to Aiden, informing him about the accident. His arrival was swift, his eyes red-rimmed from crying. It was clear he'd been sobbing throughout the journey. As he rushed towards me, I opened my arms, embracing him tightly. We both sobbed, our bodies shaking with grief. But Aiden's sorrow quickly turned to anger as he demanded to know where his mother was. When I told him she was in the operating room, he crumpled to his knees, overcome with emotion. Just then, his father walked in, his face a mask of calmness. But the air around him seemed to vibrate with tension. Aiden's anger boiled over, and he lashed out at his father, fists flying. The older man's composure was unnerving, his eyes flashing with a cold, calculated rage. As they argued, I felt the atmosphere grow increasingly charged. Aiden's father seemed to be seething, his jaw clenched and his eyes blazing. It was as if he knew something about the situation, something that filled him with a desire for revenge. Finally, he stormed out of the hospital, leaving behind a trail of tension. The doctor arrived soon after, informing us that we could see Mrs. Alora now. As we entered the wardroom, I could feel Aiden's anger still simmering just below the surface. His father's arrival only added fuel to the fire. The older man's request to see the bullet that had been removed from Mrs. Alora seemed callous, and Aiden's pain was palpable. I reached out, placing my hands lightly on his arms, gesturing for him to calm down. He looked at me, his eyes searching, and for a moment, our gazes locked. I could see the turmoil brewing inside him, the anger and the hurt. But as he looked at me, I could sense him slowly regaining control, his emotions simmering down. As we stood there, frozen in time, I suddenly felt my legs give way beneath me. My vision began to blur, and I stumbled, my body swaying precariously. Aiden's quick reflexes saved me from collapsing, his strong arms wrapping around me to hold me upright. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with concern, as the nurse gently guided us out of the room to allow Mrs. Alora to rest. I nodded, still feeling dizzy, and held my head in my hands, trying to ward off the agony. "Yes, I'm fine... I'm just a little dizzy," I stammered, my words barely above a whisper. Aiden's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed in worry. "Have you had anything to eat yet?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle. My mind drifted back to the events of the evening, and I realized that Mrs. Alora and I had planned to eat dinner at the party before everything went awry. My stomach growled in protest, reminding me that I was running on empty. The little life growing inside me seemed to be protesting the lack of food, too. I shook my head, feeling a pang of embarrassment. "No, I haven't eaten anything," I admitted. Aiden's face set in determination. "Wait here, I'll go get you some food," he said, his voice firm and resolute. I protested, feeling a twinge of guilt. "But it's late already..." I trailed off. Aiden's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze burning with intensity. "And you're hungry," he said, his voice low and gentle. "There has to be a place where I can get food." I stared at him in awe, my heart swelling with emotion. Even in the midst of his own agony and pain, Aiden still cared for me, still put my needs before his own. I felt a lump form in my throat as I gazed at him, my eyes brimming with tears. Minutes ticked by before Aiden returned with a steaming hot pack of burgers and yogurt. He handed it over to me, and I devoured the food ravenously, savoring the flavors and textures. The silence that followed was a welcome respite, a brief moment of calm amidst the chaos. Aiden broke the silence, his voice low and measured. "Hailey, were you able to see the shooter?" he asked, his eyes locked intently on mine. My eyes widened as I scrambled to recall the events of the evening. "No, no, I couldn't," I replied, shaking my head. "Everything happened so fast, and I didn't get a chance to see anyone." Aiden's face fell, his frustration palpable. He sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his emotions. But then I remembered something, a nagging feeling that had been lurking in the recesses of my mind. "But there was something that stands out, though," I added, my voice hesitant. "While we were there, I felt like I'd experienced it before – the gunshot, I mean. My mind was reeling with blurry visions that I couldn't quite grasp." I paused, my voice barely above a whisper. "It felt so familiar."