CHAPTER THREE: AFTERMATH

Damien's POV

I'd never felt such guilt in my life. As my wife lay unconscious on a hospital bed that I should have been on, the woman I'd paraded around for years called me.

I couldn't answer.

I stared at my phone as it rang up until it ended. Why was Lilian calling now?

During the attack, I searched for her like a fool while she had run to save herself. But Heaven had stayed for me, even when I disregarded her well-being. She cared enough to sacrifice herself for me.

I sighed deeply as my phone began to ring again before switching it off.

A nurse rushed in a moment later.

“Mr Wiles, there are…um, guests that are demanding to see you. I think you need to come out.” she said, her nerves obvious.

Without a moment's thought, I knew it was my family. My grandma was probably furious by now.

I took a glance at Heaven's sleeping face, looking so blissfully unaware, before I stood and left the room to deal with my family.

As expected, my grandmother led the group. Her aging face was scrunched up in obvious displeasure but her eyes revealed the care and worry she felt for Heaven, her feet aggressively tapping the hospital floor.

Her expression darkened when she caught sight of me approaching and I knew she wasn't messing around.

“Grandma, may I ask what you're all doing here?” My question seemed to tick her off more.

“What we're all doing here!? Where else am I meant to be when my granddaughter-in-law gets shot!!?” she screamed in fury.

“Son, we heard that Heaven was shot at a charity gala you hosted. How did that happen?” my mother asked. Her usual delicate face was tense with worry.

My father just stood next to her, his face cold as always but I knew he didn't approve of what was going on.

“There seems to have been a spy. I'm taking measures to discover whoever let the shooter in. But, yes, Heaven was shot at the gala.” I could only say.

“Oh, dear God,” my grandmother gasped and clutched at her chest.

My mother bent her head and quietly sobbed into her handkerchief.

“What else aren't you telling us? Isn't Heaven out of surgery? Where is she?” my father said coldly.

I clenched my fists at his overbearing tone. How would I tell them that Heaven is pregnant and in a coma?

“Heaven…”

Sensing my hesitation, Grandma grew more agitated. “Why aren't you saying anything? What's wrong with Heaven?”

Taking a deep breath, I could only say, “Heaven fell into a…a coma.”

“She’s in a coma!?” my grandmother shrieked. Mother sobs grew louder.

“How could you let this happen, Damien? Heaven is your wife. How could you fail to protect her?” my father's look of indifference gave way to the disappointment he couldn't hide.

I could only avert my eyes, shame pricking the back of my neck. I can't tell them that she's pregnant. That would only make things way worse.

“The doctor said that her body is healthy. It's possible that she'll wake up in a few days,” I lied through my teeth. What did it matter? She'll probably wake up soon, anyway.

“I need to see her,” my mom sniffed. I never understood my family's love for Heaven. To me, she was just a burden. I didn't understand why we couldn't just destroy the contract our grandfathers made.

But my parents loved her. My grandmother adored her. They bothered me by always asking for Heaven but I gave them one excuse after another to keep them away.

“I need to see Heaven, Damien,” my mother said again.

“That's not a good idea. She's not stable…,” I countered.

“You were just with her, there should be no problem allowing your mother to see her.”

What the fuck am I going to do? Heaven looked terrible.

“I have to insist. Heaven is my wife, and I don't want anything to happen to her. Please try to understand.”

My father and grandmother weren't that stupid. They both narrowed their eyes at me in suspicion but they didn't want to push it.

“In a week's time, you must bring Heaven to see us. None of your excuses are going to work this time. Is that understood?” Grandma asked coldly.

She could see through my lies. “Understood,” was all I could say.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

“Well, what did you find?” I asked Felix, taking a slow drag on my cigarette.

He slowly came forward with a sealed envelope.

“I've gone through everyone present at the gala. This was the only suspicious person I could find,” he said.

“Matteo Wang, Asian American, 22 years of age. Matteo worked among the servers at the gala but he'd only started working with the catering company a week ago.” Felix continued. “He lives alone in the suburbs and has a clean record but his other name, Matthew Wang, has a criminal record and a prior conviction.”

“You think he's our guy?”

Felix shrugged. “He's our best bet. I'll get him ready for you at the warehouse tomorrow.”

I nodded and excused him. I had a gnawing urge to see Heaven. I felt restless whenever I wasn't with her.

Burning out my cigarette, I tossed out the filter through the window before making my way back to Heaven's room.

Her heart rate monitor beeped steadily and I just sat by her bed and watched her breathe.

I glanced at her tummy. I want to touch it, feel our baby living inside her. But I don't deserve that. Not after everything I did to her.

So, I could only stare at her beautiful face, watch her chest slowly rise up and down, until the sun rose the next morning.