Zack somehow managed to regain control. The car swerved back onto the road, but the sudden adjustment caused the speed to drop significantly.
Seizing the opportunity, Skyler floored the gas pedal, quickly maneuvering his Range Rover in front of Zack’s car, forcing him to halt. Without missing a beat, both Theodore and Skyler jumped out, moving toward Zack.
"Zack, come out!" Theodore bellowed. "Hand her over!"
But Zack wasn’t going to give in that easily. He slammed the gear into reverse, attempting to escape. "Damn it. He is trying to run," Skyler muttered, jumping back into his car, ready to chase down Zack.
However, Theodore didn’t move. He pulled out his gun, his eyes locked on Zack’s retreating car. With a single, precise shot, the bullet struck the tire. The car jerked to one side, forcing Zack to stop.
Finally, Zack released his hands from the steering wheel. He understood he couldn’t run away with Bella. But he wouldn’t get caught. He took a glance at Bella, who remained frozen in her place, eyes wide and her skin pallid.
"You will be mine," he growled. "I’ll come get you someday." He flung the door open and bolted from the car.
Theodore turned the gun toward Zack’s fleeting form firing two quick shots, but both missed their mark. Zack had vanished into the darkness.
"Fuck," Theodore swore under his breath. But his attention soon diverted to the woman sitting inside the car. Slipping the gun into the holster on his back, he rushed over to the car. He wrenched open the door and froze when he saw her eyes. The horror in her gaze met his.
"Bella," he whispered urgently, cupping her face. "I finally got you." He pulled her into his arms, the relief of holding her close almost overwhelming. But the relief quickly faded as he realized she wasn’t responding. Her body went limp in his arms.
He looked down and found her unconscious. Panic surged through him.
"Hey, Bella...Open your eyes." He tapped her cheeks, desperately.
But she remained motionless, her body cold and unresponsive. A chill of fear settled deep within him. He scooped her up in his arms and rushed toward the Range Rover.
"Skyler, open the door!" he barked with urgency.
Skyler immediately rushed to the back door, pulling it open. Theodore gently laid Bella down on the seat, his hands trembling slightly. He settled beside her, leaning close.
"Drive to the hospital," he commanded. He cradled her cheek against his palm. "Bella, my love. You are safe now. You will be fine soon."
They arrived at the hospital soon. Theodore’s heart pounded as he watched the hospital staff wheel Bella into the emergency room. The doors swung shut, leaving him standing in the corridor.
Slowly, he sank into one of the hard plastic chairs, his elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped tightly as though praying. His sharp, dark eyes were fixed on the door.
Skyler walked away, phone pressed to his ear, speaking in low, urgent tones.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly. Theodore’s foot tapped restlessly on the tiled floor. Suddenly, a nurse rushed out, clipboard in hand. Her hurried movements snapped Theodore out of his daze. He stood up so quickly, his anxious gaze locking onto her.
Before he could form a word, the nurse asked urgently, "Are you the family member of the patient?"
"Yes," Theodore replied with a nod.
"The patient needs immediate surgery," she informed seriously. "She has blood clots in her brain. We need your consent to proceed." She handed him the clipboard.
Blood clots?
Theodore felt like the ground had shifted beneath him. His chest tightened as fear gripped him. His hand trembled as he took the pen and signed his name.
He handed the clipboard back and managed to choke out, "Will she be okay?"
"We are doing everything we can," the nurse replied before turning and disappearing back into the emergency room.
After some time, Bella was wheeled into the operating room. He followed silently, his every step heavy with dread. The doors closed with an unsettling finality.
Theodore stood there for a moment, his hand frozen midair as the door swung shut again. Slowly, he lowered himself back into the chair, his head falling into his hands. The thought of losing Bella gnawed at him, his heart sinking.
’Blood clots, surgery...’ The words rang relentlessly in his mind.
His chest tightened, and he whispered hoarsely, "Bella, please... You have to come back to me. Don’t leave me." His shoulders sagged as he hunched forward, gripping his hair, desperate to hold himself together.
"Mr. Reid." Skyler’s voice broke through the haze of his thoughts, drawing Theodore’s gaze upward.
"What is it, Skyler?" Theodore asked, his eyes bloodshot and brimming with unshed fears.
"He won’t get far," Skyler assured him. "I’ve already started the process to freeze his assets. His company will be seized. His properties will be sealed, and his bank accounts will be blocked. He’ll have nowhere to hide."
Theodore gave a small, curt nod, though his focus drifted back to the closed doors of the operating room. His thoughts were a chaotic mess, each one tethered to Bella. She was his world, and she was in there fighting for her life.
Skyler studied him briefly, then asked cautiously, "Should I inform Mr. Walton? He’s been searching tirelessly for his daughter."
"Yes," Theodore murmured after a moment. "Call him. Tell him to bring Selena too. She deserves to know."
"I’ll contact them right away." Without delay, Skyler moved away, pulling out his phone.
Theodore’s gaze remained fixed on the doors. ’Bella, hold on,’ he thought, his heart trembling. ’I’m not losing you. Not now. Not ever.’
Seconds crawled by like hours, each one punctuated by the hurried footsteps of nurses and doctors moving in and out with grim purpose. Every time the doors swung open, his heart leaped, only to sink when he realized it wasn’t the update he so desperately craved. He wished he could barge in, stand by Bella’s side, and assure her she wasn’t alone in this fight.
Ring-Ring-Ring...
The sharp trill of his phone shattered the oppressive silence. Theodore pulled it out of his pocket, glancing at the screen.
Willow.
He swallowed hard and answered, his voice hoarse. "Hello."
"Theo, how are you?" Willow’s voice trembled, thick with worry. "I just heard the news. How is Bella? Is she okay?"
"Her surgery is still ongoing. They found blood clots in her brain..." His voice cracked. "Willow, I’m scared. I can’t lose her."
"Hey, Theo, listen to me...She will be fine," Willow assured him. "Bella is strong. She is a fighter, and she’ll pull through this. You need to believe that. She needs you to stay strong for her."
Her own voice shook with emotions, but she steadied herself to give him strength. "I’ll be there, okay? Don’t lose hope."
"I know," he whispered, his throat thick. "But I can’t stop worrying. Every second feels like a lifetime."
"You are not alone," Willow said firmly. "I’ll be there by morning, okay? And when Bella wakes up, we’ll both be there to greet her. Together."
Theodore felt a faint smile tug at his lips, despite the tears threatening to spill. "Yeah. Thank you, Willow."
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