Laying there, as Jada's trembling hands pressed against the cold floor, fighting to regain control of her racing thoughts, images flashed before her mind's eye, memories of happier times intertwining with the horrifying reality she now found herself trapped in. The scent of fresh flowers on their first date, the sound of Leon's laughter that used to warm her heart, and the touch of his hand that had once brought her comfort all tainted by the dark truth that had been revealed.
The room felt suffocating, and every breath she took was a struggle, as if the atmosphere conspired against her.
Suddenly, Leon began to walk towards Jada, his eyes never leaving hers as he pointed the gun in her face. The glimmer of satisfaction that danced in his eyes sent a chill down her spine, the intensity of his gaze making her feel exposed and vulnerable. With each step, his presence seemed to loom larger, casting a dark shadow over her trembling body.
When Leon stopped by her, he forcefully yanked the documents from her trembling grip. Then, the sound of a tearing paper echoed through the room.
Realizing that she was getting dizzy, Jada's desperation surged within her, fueled by her will to live. With a surge of adrenaline, she reached out, her fingers grasping at his shoes, desperate as she begged, "Ple-ase, Le..on. Sa-ve... me."
But Leon, his face twisted with contempt, swiftly yanked her hand away, stepping back from her trembling body.
"Bye, little butterfly," Leon's voice rang out, chillingly devoid of remorse. "I am sorry for breaking your wings. But I need them too to fly."
Drawing a deep breath, he shut his eyes briefly, and then, with a turn of his back, he walked away, leaving Jada lying on the cold floor of their mansion hall.
The silence of the empty house they once called home haunted her with the thought that he left her half-alive so she could suffer and die a slow, painful death.
'You really hate me that much, Leon. What did I ever do but love you.' Jada thought as she fought to stay awake, alive.
Just as her body couldn't take it anymore and she was about to give in to the agony, Jada's eyes caught a glimpse of movement through the haze of pain and confusion.
A blurry version of the door swung open, and a figure appeared in the doorway, their features dimmed by the disorienting fog clouding her vision. She strained to focus, her head throbbing loudly as if the gunshot had unleashed a storm within her.
Slowly, Jada's eyes darted back and forth, desperately attempting to make out the figure as they approached her. But her vision remained distorted. Frustration clawed at her, threatening to overwhelm her willpower, but she refused to succumb to defeat.
As the figure drew nearer, Jada's vision blurred further, the details of their appearance melting away. Her eyelids grew heavy, the pain in her head intensifying with each passing moment. Sensing defeat, she made a split-second decision. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the darkness that threatened to consume her.
Seconds passed, and then Jada felt her body lift from the floor into the arms of someone she wished she could see, but her eyes refused to open.
"Who are you?" Jada whispered.
"Safe your strength, and don't you dare die on me, you hear me?!" His trembling voice rang in her ear.
With the last ounces of strength she had left, she raised her bloody hand, resting it on his face, and whispered, "You came back for me. Why would you save me after all I have done to you? Why?"
~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~
Since the Mercedes-Benz S-Class arrived before Leon could drive off, he had been watching the mansion from a discreet distance, hidden behind a veil of darkness in his black car.
The moonlight had faded, casting eerie shadows across the sprawling estate. Leon's senses were on high alert as he strained to pick up any unusual sounds or movements, unable to see anything, afraid to get caught.
But then he heard the Mercedes-Benz S-Class exit the mansion's driveway. The vehicle moved at lightning speed, and Leon's heart raced as he recognized it, leaving him with dread.
A crippling fear gripped him for a while, and his breaths came quick and shallow as he wrestled with his inner demons. But he had the urge to know if Jada was dead and couldn't bear the uncertainty any longer. With trembling hands, he started his car's engine and discreetly tailed the vehicle, maintaining a safe distance.
The drive seemed unending, the winding roads and empty streets like a maze leading him deeper into his fears. His headlights switched off through the inky blackness, following the car like a shadow.
Finally, they arrived at the hospital.Then Leon parked his car a distance away, still hidden from view, and watched the Mercedes-Benz S-Class pull up to the parking entrance. His heart pounded in his chest, anxiety gnawing at him.
The hospital's automatic doors slid open, and two figures emerged from the car. Leon strained his eyes, trying to make out their identities. It was Jada...
But when his gaze rested on the one holding her, his fingers clenched the steering wheel as he watched them disappear into the hospital. Time stretched on, feeling like an eternity, as he sat there, his mind a turbulent sea of conflicting emotions.
Finally, he decided he couldn't wait any longer and stepped out of his car, his footsteps silent on the asphalt as he approached the hospital. The automatic doors swished open once more, granting him entry.
Trying to make himself look small, Leon's heart raced as he approached the receptionist. He needed information, and he needed it fast.
"Excuse me," he said, "I'm looking for a woman just brought in. Her name is Jada."
The receptionist glanced at her computer screen and then back at Leon. "I'm sorry, sir, I can't provide you with the patient information."
Desperation surged within him, but he couldn't let that deter him, and he swallowed his ego, crying, "Please, it's important. I need to know if she's okay."
The receptionist hesitated momentarily, her expression softening as she studied Leon's worried face and then added, "I'm sorry, I can't help you. Her medical information has been sealed, and I don't want to offend the devil himself... Sorry."
Frustration and helplessness threatened to overwhelm Leon. He glanced around the hospital, wondering how he could possibly find Jada. The minutes ticked by like hours, and the silence of the hospital corridor seemed to mock him.
A sense of defeat washed over him as he turned away from the nurse. With a troubled heart, Leon retraced his steps, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridor, and then, he returned to his car.
"Fuck! I should have finished the job!!" He cried out.
For the longest, he rested his head on the steering wheel. Then Leon took one last look at the hospital and whispered, "There is no way she can survive a shot to the head. Goodbye, little butterfly."
The beeping sound of the ventilator machine echoed in Jada's ears, and slowly, her lashes blinked as if weighed down by the burden of the moment. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing a world shrouded in sterile white. The harsh fluorescent lights made her squeeze her eyes shut. Jada's vision slowly adapted to the room's brightness, her pupils dilating as she took in her surroundings. The sterile white walls surrounded her, alerting her that she was in the hospital. She tried to recall how she ended up in this unfamiliar place. Still, her mind felt foggy, her memories like fragments of shattered glass.As Jada shifted in her bed, a sharp pain jolted through her head, causing her to wince. The throbbing ache intensified with every movement.Slowly, she reached a trembling hand to her forehead, feeling the bandages tightly wound around her temple. "How did I end up injured like this?' Jada thought, but just then, a click from the doorknob broke the silence, diverting Jada's attention f
As Chase moved his lips to speak, his eyes darted to Jada, but he halted, a flicker of hesitation crossing his features. At that moment, she saw something in his eyes that sent a shiver down her spine. It was a mixture of pain, longing, and a hidden truth, desperately fighting to break free."Mr. Aniston," Leon's voice was laced with suspicion and accusation. "What exactly is your business with my wife?"It took a minute for Chase to tear his eyes away from Jada. Then his gaze hardened, and he turned to face Leon. "I think there's more to Jada's accident than meets the eye,"Sensing the tension in the room, Dr. Matthews stepped forward, his voice calm. "Gentlemen, let's try to keep this conversation for another day. Jada needs rest and time to recover."For a second, Leon said nothing as his jaw tightened, and his gaze never left Chase's. In silence, Jada watched the look he held in his eyes, such coldness that it sent a chill down her spine. There was something unspoken between Chase
The tension in the room had reached its breaking point, and it seemed like a confrontation was inevitable. "Chase, you can stay." Jada abruptly blurted out.The room fell silent as Jada's words hung in the air. Leon's grip on her hand loosened slightly, his eyes searching hers for any signs of hesitation. On the other hand, Chase seemed taken aback by her unexpected response. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Jada locked eyes with Chase. "I want you here with me," she blurted out, her voice stronger this time despite the lingering uncertainty. "Please,""What are you doing now, little butterfly?" Leon asked, his nostril flaring."Don't call me that," "Call you what?""Little butterfly... Something about that name is eerie-""But little butterfly-""Stop calling me that!!!"Her sudden scream pierced through the tension-filled room, shattering the uneasy silence that had settled over them. Startled, Leon and Chase turned their attention back to her, their eyes widening in concern."
Narrowing his eyes away from Jada, Leon looked at Dr. Matthew and said, "Now that that jerk is gone, I need you to start working on the paperwork to get her out of here and back home."Dr. Matthew's eyes darted between Jada and Leon, his expression a mix of concern and confusion. He adjusted his glasses nervously, finding the right words to respond to Leon's demand."No!" Jada cried out. She focused on sitting up, ignoring the ache and discomfort coursing through her body. Her eyes blazed with defiance as she stared up at Leon."Mrs. Kingsley," Dr. Matthew interjected. "Even though it has been a month, your wound has not fully healed yet internally. So, I advise you to lay back in bed."Ignoring his voice, Jada gritted her teeth, mustering every ounce of strength. The fire in her eyes burned brighter as she found her voice. "No, Dr. Matthew. I won't be held captive by him. I refuse to be with you."As her feet rested on the floor, Leon's face contorted with anger, his control slipping
For the longest, Chase's gaze darted into hers as he held his tongue, and then he looked away for a short time before focusing on Jada again."My lawyer is very creditable. But are you this serious about leaving your husband?" Chase asked, staring into her soul. "Why?""I don't like him." She mumbled as she dropped her gaze."That's not reason enough.""I don't know him."Not saying a word, Chase stood there, his eyes locked on Jada's downcast face. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken emotions, tension coiling like a live wire. Time seemed to stretch, each passing second filled with anticipation and uncertainty.Jada could feel Chase's intense gaze on her, his eyes boring into her soul. The weight of his scrutiny made her heart race and her palms grow clammy. It was as if he could see through her, peeling back the layers of her carefully constructed facade and exposing the vulnerability she kept hidden.Finally, unable to bear the silence, Chase moved closer to Jada, his
The gravel crunched under the wheels of Leon's black sedan as he sped up the winding driveway toward the mansion. His heart raced as he approached the gates, a sense of rage gnawing at him. Without hesitation, Leon slammed his foot on the gas pedal, and the powerful engine roared to life, propelling him forward. The gates swung open with a metallic groan, revealing the sprawling manor beyond. He barely stopped the car before jumping out and rushing towards the grand entrance.As he stormed up the steps to the front door, a distinguished-looking butler, James, emerged to greet him. "Good evening, sir Kingsley. May I inquire about the purpose of your visit?" James asked, his voice dripping with politeness.However, Leon paid little attention to the butler's courteous demeanor and said roughly, "I need to see Mr. Hudson. It's urgent."James raised a well-groomed eyebrow, clearly taken aback by Leon's brusque demeanor. Nevertheless, he maintained his composure and nodded. "Of course, si
The sunlight glowed inside as Leon stormed through the polished glass doors of HH's headquarters, his footsteps echoing in the grand marble-floored lobby. His frustration simmered just beneath the surface, a dangerous fire that threatened to consume him entirely. A month had passed since Jada had left, and it was as if she had vanished into thin air. The walls of worry were closing in on him, and he couldn't wait any longer. Her memories could resurface at any moment, and his carefully laid plans would crumble to dust.He had hoped to finish the job before making any move on the business, but time was no longer on his side. The relentless tick-tock of the clock had become an unbearable reminder of his mounting desperation.With determined steps, Leon marched towards the elevators, his piercing eyes focused like laser beams, and his usual charisma was masked by the shadow of anxiety.As he ascended to the top floor, Leon couldn't help but replay the thoughts in his head, 'She has no
The women hesitated, eyeing each other before one answered, removing Jada's pajamas off her shoulders, "He's in the dining room, waiting on you." Slowly, she stepped into the tub, and the water held her like a comforting embrace, her body sinking into the warmth. The women surrounded her, their hands cupping water and cascading it over her shoulders, tracing delicate lines along her arms. Each touch and stroke was filled with care and tenderness as the women worked silently, their movements gently. Jada closed her eyes, surrendering to the sensations that washed over her, allowing herself to be enveloped by the healing ritual. ~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~ The dining room carried tension with just a look from Chase as he stared away from his mug and focused on his assistant. Standing before his boss, Jacob frowned as he said, "It's been a month. She is healed... Why are you helping her, master?" As Chase set his tea down, his piercing blue eyes narrowed. He studied Jacob's face for a moment be