Chapter 069

~~~Aiden~~~ As I watched the paramedics whisk Sandra away, a tidal wave of grief washed over me. Tears streamed down my face like a relentless rain, each drop a testament to the anguish that gripped my heart. The weight of guilt crushed me, making it hard to breathe. If only I had known Sandra's plan, I would have never let her take that bullet for me. Dad's swift movements as he tended to Hailey's dad were a blur, my mind still reeling from the shock. The image of Sandra's limp body, her blood-soaked clothes, and the sound of her labored breathing haunted me. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to escape the crushing weight of my emotions. The drive back home was a silent, tense affair. Hailey sat beside me, her presence a reminder of the chaos that had erupted. I couldn't bear to look at her, my mind still reeling from the revelation that she had been armed. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. What if she had pulled the trigger? As I stared out the window, my thoughts drifted to Alvaro, sleeping peacefully in Hailey's arms. How would this traumatic event affect him? The uncertainty gnawed at me, fueling my anxiety. We arrived home, the silence between us palpable. Dad's voice broke the stillness, his apology to Mom laced with a deep regret. But Mom's anger and hurt were palpable, her silence a testament to the depth of her emotions. As we sat in the living room, the tension between us was almost suffocating. I felt like I was caught in a maelstrom of emotions, unable to escape the turmoil that surrounded me. Anger, guilt, and sadness swirled inside me, each emotion vying for dominance. Hailey's persistent questioning of Dad only added to the chaos. Her determination to uncover the truth was admirable, but her timing couldn't have been worse. Didn't she realize that lives were at stake? That the events of the day had left us all reeling? As I watched her, I felt a pang of frustration. Why couldn't she see the bigger picture? Why was she so focused on herself, on getting answers? But as I looked deeper, I saw the fear and uncertainty lurking behind her eyes. She was scared, just like the rest of us. Scared of the unknown, scared of what might happen next. In that moment, my anger dissipated, replaced by a deep sense of empathy. We were all in this together, bound by our shared experiences and emotions. And as we navigated the treacherous landscape of our lives, we would have to rely on each other to survive. I glared at Hailey and my dad, my irritation boiling over. "Enough!" I yelled, my eyes blazing with rage. I felt like I was losing control, like everything was slipping through my fingers. My gaze darted back and forth between them, longing for the past. I missed the vulnerable Hailey, the one who didn't know her true identity. I even missed my annoying dad, who always seemed to know how to push my buttons. But now, everything is different. Hailey's memories had returned, and she was no longer the same person. My dad's secrets had been exposed, and I couldn't forgive him for putting Sandra's life in danger. With glassy eyes, I poured my heart out to them. "I'll never forgive myself or you, Dad, if anything happens to Sandra," I said, my voice cracking with emotion. "And as for you, Hailey, I think it's best I just let you go. You deserve better than a stupid marriage like ours." I turned and walked away, leaving them both behind. I headed to my room, my heart heavy with grief. I removed my cuff buttons and rolled up my sleeves, pouring myself a drink from the mini bar. As the tequila touched my lips, a slow burning fire ignited, spreading warmth throughout my chest, but I didn't care. I needed something to distract me from my problems. I kept pouring drink after drink, trying to drown my sorrows. My worries and cares melted away replaced by a carefree reckless abandon. But just as I was starting to feel numb, my phone buzzed. I checked the caller ID, but it was a landline number. I answered, and a calm, bold voice spoke on the other end. "Hello, is this Mr. Aiden Brooklyn?" the voice asked. I replied nonchalantly, wondering who it was. "Yes." The voice introduced himself as Doctor Steve from the hospital. "I'm calling to inform you that Ms. Sandra Logan requests to see you." Hearing Sandra being identified as a ‘Logan' made me feel guilty even more, she'd been neglected for such a long time and even now, she's never been identified as a Brooklyn even when she had always been one. Her actions were justified, even when it wasn't convenient for her, she couldn't stop loving me. And now the least I could do was go stay with her, and let her know she still has a family, and I don't care what anyone thinks about it. My heart skipped a beat. Sandra was awake, and she wanted to see me. I felt a surge of guilt and regret. Why had I neglected her for so long? Why had I never acknowledged her as Brooklyn? But now, it was time to make things right. "I'll be right there, Doctor," I said, determined in my voice. I hung up the phone and headed out the door, ready to face whatever lay ahead. The tequila's effects had worn off, replaced by a sense of purpose and responsibility. As I prepared to head out, the doctor's voice came through the phone again. "Are you still there?" "Yes, yes, doc, I'll be with you shortly," I replied, hanging up the phone and grabbing a jacket. But as I opened my door, I was surprised to find Hailey standing there, her hand raised as if to knock. Our eyes met, and I felt a pang in my chest. Her deep blue eyes sparkled with unshed tears, and her long hair was tied up in a messy bun, with a few stray strands framing her face. I stepped back, surprised by her presence. What did she want? I wasn't in the mood for another argument, but her next words left me stunned. She wasn't there to fight; she was there to plead. "Please, Aiden, don't let me go," she said, her voice trembling. "Don't set me free." My heart swelled with emotion, but I knew I couldn't give in. Not yet. A deal was a deal, and she had made it clear she wanted out. I couldn't just forgive and forget, not after everything she had said and done. "I'm sorry, Hailey," I said, trying to sound firm. "But I've already called my lawyer, and he'll be here in a few days when all of this is over." I lied, knowing it would hurt her. And it did. As I walked out of the room, I saw her crumple to her knees, her body shaking with sobs. My heart almost failed me, and I wanted to go to her, to wipe away her tears and tell her it was all a prank. But I didn't. I kept walking, leaving her behind. I arrived at the hospital, still reeling from the encounter with Hailey. My clothes were messy, and my bones ached with exhaustion. But I pushed on, determined to see Sandra and make things right. The doctor greeted me warmly. "Hey, Aiden, thanks for coming. I'm Doctor Steve." I shook his hand, my mind racing with questions. "What's the matter, Doc? How's Sandra?" Doctor Steve's expression turned somber, and he hesitated before speaking. "Oh, Mr. Brooklyn, my patient Ms. Sandra asked that I call you and convey a message only when you arrived." I felt a surge of impatience, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. "Tell me what, Doc?" I urged, my voice firm but laced with concern. The doctor took a deep breath before delivering the devastating news. "Her liver is weak due to her past struggles with addiction, but she's been managing it. However..." He paused, his eyes filled with compassion. I felt my heart racing, my senses on high alert. "She what?" I pressed, my voice barely above a whisper. The doctor's words dropped like a bombshell, shattering my world. "The bullet damage has severely compromised her liver and other organs. I'm afraid she only has a few minutes left, and her last wish is to spend those final moments with you by her side." The weight of his words crashed down on me like a tidal wave, piercing my heart with a searing pain. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. Sandra, the woman who had sacrificed everything for me, was slipping away, and I was running out of time.