Chapter 6

I slowly lifted myself up with my elbows by my sides supporting my body weight as I sat up straight, resting my back against the head of the bed.

“W-What happened?” I asked him while a lump made its way to my throat causing me to stutter.

“Your father is gone!” he exclaimed, looking quite surprised that my father managed to escape the hospital this quickly.

After a while, his face twisted in confusion.

“My men are at the front entrance and they haven’t seen him go out which means that he is still in the hospital but where?” Jason said aloud, enlightening me of the cause of his confusion.

My heartbeats escalated once again.

“W-Where is h-he?” I couldn’t help but ask even though I knew that Jason was as clueless as me. I just needed to know where he was for reassurance. He might just pop up when I least expect it and knowing him, he might have already realized it by now that I have told Jason everything that’s why he’s hiding somewhere.

I could feel myself hyperventilating but my sole focus was on finding out where the heck my father is hiding. I needed to know otherwise I will be tormented to live a life full of terror anticipating his return and waiting for when he would catch me and terrorize me again.

“Don’t worry! He wouldn’t be able to escape my men as I’ve ordered them to surround the hospital compound guarding every exit of the hospital. He’ll go straight behind the bars once he’s out.” Jason reassured me.

He became alerted once he heard the jiggling of the doorknob behind him and quickly swirled around. He stood rigid, waiting for the door to open up. I felt as if my heart stopped beating for a while causing my breath to halt. I could feel my chest hardening as I held my breath waiting for the person behind the door to make an appearance.

I sighed in relief once the doctor entered the room, oblivious to the tension swimming in the room. Jason stood upright and nodded at the doctor who nodded back, acknowledging his presence in my room.

“Officer Palmer, can you please step out for a second? I need to check Lea’s wounds and vitals.” The doctor politely asked Jason.

“Sure.” Jason nodded at me before stepping out, closing the door behind him but I could faintly see his back through the small squared tinted glass window as he rested his back against the door. I shifted my attention from Jason to the doctor once I heard him utter something.

“How are you feeling now, Lea?” the doctor asked me with a soft smile playing on his lips.

“I’m feeling much better now, thank you.” I smiled as I felt my heart calm down.

The doctor hummed in response as his eyes skimmed through the details on my report and then scribbled something on it before glancing up at me.

“It seems to me like you will have to take extra care of your ribs for a maximum of two months and avoid lifting heavy stuffs and stay away from strenuous activities. I hope I made myself clear.” The doctor advised to which I nodded.

“As for your wrists, it’ll take some time to heal but the medicines that I will prescribe will definitely quicken the healing process and as for the pain, I will also give you some painkillers. Are you in any kind of pain now, Lea? It’s okay, you can tell me.” The doctor asked as his eyes examined my wrists which were bandaged but the white cloth was stained a little bit with blood.

“I’m okay.” I simply said and glanced downwards as I fidgeted uncomfortably while I played with my fingers, scraping the skin off the sides of my nails. I tend to do this whenever I’m nervous or uncomfortable. The thought of my father roaming the hospital freely never left my mind.

“Okay then. I will keep you for two more days under observation because your body lacks certain vitamins. I’ve already had a nurse inject you with the necessary vitamins but you will have to take some pills for your blood. It seems like your hemoglobin is low. After two more injections and after you’ve taken those pills after your meals for these two days, your body will be healthier. You’ll be discharged after two days once I check your hemoglobin level on the third day. Is that okay, Lea?” The doctor asked me and now knowing what else to say other than agree with what he said, I nodded.

“Rest well then, Lea. I will see you tomorrow morning.” The doctor graced me with yet another smile and made his way outside with my report in his hands but the door was pushed open as Jason walked in with the doctor behind him.

I frowned once I saw the doctor trailing behind him.

“I need you to get me the report of Lea.” Jason said, and then glanced at me before looking back at the doctor.

“Is it possible for her to be discharged by tonight?” Jason asked the doctor but the tone of his voice was laced with an underlying command warning the doctor to dare prevent me from being discharged.

“May I ask why?” the doctor questioned him oblivious to the underlying ordering tone in Jason’s voice.

“It seems like Lea’s father was the cause of Lea’s suicide.” Jason sighed and glared at the doctor over his left shoulder but calmly explained.

A look of surprise took over the doctor’s face as he glanced at me. His eyes softened and different emotions crossed his face as he took in my plight. The concern was evident as he stared at me.

“Okay then. I’ll prepare the discharge papers but Lea, you will have to take your medicines and start eating healthy and by healthy, I mean complete balanced meals. I will also prescribe some vitamins which you will have to take now that you won’t be injected. Is that okay?” the doctor softly asked and I nodded.

“Please, be quick with the discharge papers.” Jason commanded.