Chapter 5: Don’t Leave Me

“Dominic!”

Roselyn’s scream tore through the air as his body hit the ground.

For a moment—

Everything went silent.

Her ears rang.

Her vision blurred.

No…

No, no, no…

She ran toward him, her legs trembling violently.

“Dominic Vale…!”

He lay there, blood spreading beneath him.

His face pale.

Too pale.

“Don’t scare me…” her voice broke as she lifted his head into her arms.

“Open your eyes… please…”

His lashes trembled slightly.

Then slowly—

He opened his eyes.

“…Roselyn…”

Her tears fell instantly.

“I’m here… I’m here…”

His lips moved weakly.

“…Are you… safe?”

Her heart shattered.

Even now…

Even after everything…

He was still thinking about her.

“I’m safe,” she said quickly, her voice shaking.

“I’m fine… just don’t close your eyes, okay?”

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

“…That’s good.”

“Don’t talk!” she cried.

“Someone help! Call an ambulance!”

Sirens echoed in the distance.

Red and blue lights flickered.

The police rushed in.

Paramedics followed quickly after.

“Move aside!”

Roselyn’s hands were covered in blood as they took Dominic from her arms.

“No…”

Her fingers trembled as she tried to hold onto him.

“Please… save him…”

Hospital – Later

The bright white lights were blinding.

Cold.

Unforgiving.

Roselyn sat outside the emergency room, her hands still stained with dried blood.

Her mind replayed everything—

Over and over again.

Bang.

Her breathing became uneven.

Why…

Why did it still end like this?

In her previous life—

He suffered because of her.

And now?

He still got hurt.

Her nails dug into her palms.

No.

This time would be different.

The doors suddenly opened.

Roselyn stood up instantly.

“Doctor—!”

“He’s out of danger.”

Her legs almost gave out in relief.

“…But he needs rest. The bullet missed anything vital, but he lost a lot of blood.”

Tears streamed down her face.

“Thank you…”

Inside the Ward

Dominic lay quietly on the bed.

A bandage wrapped around his shoulder.

His face still pale.

Roselyn walked in slowly.

Each step careful.

Almost afraid.

She sat beside him.

Her fingers trembling as she reached out—

Then gently held his hand.

“…Dominic…”

Her voice was barely a whisper.

“I’m sorry…”

Her tears fell onto the back of his hand.

“In my past life…”

“I hurt you.”

“I misunderstood you.”

“And even now…”

“You still got hurt because of me.”

Her shoulders shook slightly.

“I won’t let it happen again.”

Her grip tightened.

“I swear…”

“This time—”

“I’ll protect you.”

Meanwhile…

In a dim corner of the hospital—

Ethan Blake stood, his face dark.

Beside him, Victoria Belle crossed her arms impatiently.

“This wasn’t the plan,” she snapped.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed.

“That woman…”

“…has changed.”

Victoria scoffed.

“So what? She’s still stupid. We just need another chance.”

Ethan smirked slightly.

“Yes…”

“But next time—

“…we won’t miss.”

Back in the Ward

Dominic’s fingers twitched slightly.

Roselyn froze.

Slowly—

His eyes opened.

“…Roselyn…”

Her heart jumped.

“You’re awake!”

She quickly helped him sit up slightly.

“Don’t move too much,” she said softly.

Dominic stared at her for a long moment.

His gaze complicated.

“…Why?”

Her breath caught.

“You said you hated me.”

His voice was hoarse.

“…So why are you here?”

Tears filled her eyes again.

“Because…”

She held his hand tightly.

“I don’t hate you.”

Silence.

“I never did.”

Dominic looked at her—

Searching.

Doubting.

Wanting to believe.

“…Then why?”

Her lips trembled slightly.

“Because I was blind.”

“And stupid.”

“And I trusted the wrong people.”

She looked straight into his eyes.

“But not anymore.”

Dominic’s grip on her hand tightened unconsciously.

“…Roselyn…”

His voice softened.

“…don’t lie to me again.”

Her heart ached.

“I won’t.”

This time—

She meant it.

Because now—

She finally understood.

Who truly loved her.

And who wanted her dead.