I watched as everyone ran out of the restaurant. I didn't scream or say a word. Some who ran past me asked me to run for my life, but I refused. I took a few steps to where Clinton was lying. I kneeled and took his hands into mine.
“Cli—Cli-nto-n.”
“Love—plea—please go,” he said, and I shook my head.
“No—no, I can't leave you here, I can't leave you by yourself here, you're bleeding, you need a doctor,
“Threa—threatening messages?”"Yes, Jess, but don't worry, I'm trying to figure it out,” she said and held my hands.“You were supposed to tell me, Loren, do you still have them?”"Yes, but the caller is unknown. Jess, you don't need to worry about anything, I'll sort it out,” she said, and I pulled away to wipe away my tears.“Jess,” I heard Jade's voice. I turned to confirm, and it was him.“Are you okay?” he asked, and I stood up and fell into his arms. He patted my back, and I didn't stay for long in his arms as I pulled away in a few seconds.“I'm fine but Clinton is not,” I said, walking back to Loren. “Please give me your phone.”“Jess?”"Please, Loren, I need it,” I said, wiping away my tears. She hesitated but still handed me her phone. I knew the password, so I didn't need to ask for it. “If anything happens, please call me,” I said before I walked away, ignoring them as they asked where I was going.When I reached outside, I realized I had forgotten to ask for one of their
I freed her neck, and she put a distance between us.“Tell me!” I demanded, and she laughed while examining her neck.“You thought I would tell you anything, I thought you were smarter than that, Jessica,” she mocked, and I hit the cell out of frustration. “I can’t believe you almost killed me in their eyes, and you,” she yelled at the guards. “You are going to pay for this, I promise you that, assholes,” she massaged her neck.
I carefully walked toward the living room, where Loren and Chris sat. They still didn't notice my presence, so I intentionally cleared my throat, which worked as they looked at me.“Jess, what are you doing here?” Loren stood up and came to my side. She tried to touch my hands, but I moved.“I should be asking you that, what are you doing here, Loren?" I took steps toward Chris, who looked at me without saying a word.“Come on, spill it.” I intentionally touched Chris's wound, and he cried in pain.“Ouch!”
“I don't need to ask you about your decision; you know what's best for your family. Three days are enough for you to decide,” he said. I was not able to move a muscle. I knew he was capable of killing my whole family if he wanted to, Clinton was fighting for his life, and even if he was okay, I was not going to let him get involved in this; it was my parents' sin, and I needed to pay for it. “How much do you want?” I knew money could not buy such an important man, but I had to try.“Ouch! Now I'm hurt; how can you say such a thing? My love is not for sale.” His voice was soft. He took steps towards me, and I didn't move this time; my back was already against the wall.“Please!” I closed my eyes as his hands reached for my face. He caressed my cheeks.“Don't worry, you will love my touch very soon. Now leave before I change my mind and decide to kidnap you instead.” When I felt him move backward, I opened my eyes and ran towards the door, but once I reached the door, I stopped and turn
~NEXT MORNING~I got up when Clinton opened his eyes. He was weak, but okay. I gave him his medicine and fed him breakfast. After that was done, Jade arrived, and they forced me to go and rest. I also wanted to see the kids, so I agreed. Jardin was still here, so he was the one who drove me back home. When I arrived, I headed straight to the bedroom, and surprisingly, everything was still the same. Just like when I left it, I headed straight for the shower, and after I was done, I walked down the stairs.The kids were asleep when I got here, so I planned to wake them up and help them have breakfast before I rested for an hour and headed back to the hospital. I started with Kiara's room, as she was a bit mature and I wanted to tell her before the others. “Kiara,” I said, she was awake.“Mom,” she said, got out of bed, and came toward me. We hugged for a few minutes before we pulled away. “Where’s dad?” “Your dad is...” I walked her to the bed, and we sat down. “He's not well, he got
Before I could respond, he hung up, "fuck!” I cursed and stood up.“Is everything alright, Mrs. Clinton?” Matilda asked.“Yes, everything is fine,” I lied.“Don't let it bother you, Mrs. Clinton, kids are like that, they will come around.”"Yes, I know,” I said. She was about to say something when the doorbell rang, and it caught her attention.“I'll go get that,” she said, and I stopped her.“No, I will go get it, just clear the table.” I didn't wait for her response. I was not expecting anyone, what if it was Accardo? When I reached the door, I peeped through the peephole and was relieved to see it was not Accardo.“Layla!” I opened the door and took the baby from her arms.“Hi Jessica,” she greeted. I patted Sophie's head. Yes, Layla and Jade adopted her. When they went to change her guardians with Clinton, they ended up talking him into turning Sophie into Jade's daughter. He wanted to compensate Layla for what he made her go through, so he granted her wishes. Sophie was now Jade
"Listen, I know it is going to be hard for you to believe me, but Clinton is in danger, you need to take him out of that hospital now!” “What do you mean?” I asked, as I couldn't easily trust her. “That Clinton is in danger, you need to take him out before it's too late, Jessica. If you love him, then you will.” “Why are you doing this? You said you didn't care about Clinton, what changed now?” “My daughter, Kiara, called me earlier, she made me realize what a terrible mother I've been. I don't want to lose her, she's the only family I have, and if this will make her forgive me, then I will do it.” Her voice was cracky. “Kiara called you?” I failed to believe it. “She did, and now I'm only hoping to be a better person. Please apologise to Clinton for me, and I'm sorry for what I made you and your kids go through. I hope you one day forgive me.” "Sophia, I don't know what to say.” “Then don't say anything, please take Clinton out of...” She didn't finish her sentence as the call
~JESSICA~“What?” He was confused.“You wanted to marry me, so you left my family alone, right? I'm ready, and you said I have sixty hours. Well, I don't need them, I can marry you now.”“Are you sure?” He asked, and it made me think, I had not yet sent my kids away, I couldn't marry him while they were here, and Clinton was still in a critical condition, so no, I was not sure.