Pierce’s POV
Dad left after our short conversation. I thought deeply about everything he said and I’m starting to get it now. Dad won’t intervene with the things I can resolve on my own. He’s always like that. If he sees that I can still fight, he will not do anything.
“Pierce...”
I immediately looked at Kelly when I heard her voice. I rushed to her side and held her hand.
“Are you okay? How do you feel? Are you hungry? Thirsty?” I don’t know what to do because I’m panicking.
I shook my head as I remembered the first thing I should do. “I’m gonna call the doctor—”
She held my hand, stopping me even before I left.
She smiled and pulled me closer to her. “There’s a nurse call button, Pierce.”
I sucked my breath and looked at the button near the bed. I was about to press it when Kelly pulled my neck closer and kissed me on the lips.
It’s like magic. My fear, panic and all the negative thoughts lingering in my mind disappeared as soon as our lips touched.
She immediately pulled away and caressed my cheek. “Calm down, my love. I know I’m safe. I know the baby’s still here. I feel fine. So don’t worry too much.”
I stared at her face and slowly nodded. I tucked her hair behind her ear.
“I still need to call the nurse to check on you.”
She nodded. “But you have to calm down first.”
I took a deep sigh before I pressed the button. I sat on the bed beside her and after a few seconds, a nurse came to check on Kelly.
I was just staring at Kelly’s face while the nurse was checking her. I still couldn’t believe she sacrificed herself for me. She saved me when I should be the one saving her.
After the nurse assured me that Kelly’s fine. I immediately prepared the food dad ordered for us. I fed Kelly silently.
“What happened to the rider?” Kelly asked after she chewed the food I fed her.
“The police caught him. He’s under investigation and I hope he won’t end up like the first shooter.”
She nodded. “It’s good he’s caught.”
Now that she mentioned it, all my worries came back.
“Why did you do that?” I asked with a hoarse voice.
She shook her head. “I don’t know. I just...thought I gotta save you when I saw him taking out a gun. And I know if you were in my shoes, you’d do the same...”
“Still...” I paused and sucked my breath. “You...put your life on the line, Kelly. I was so scared.”
She nodded and caressed my cheek again. “I know and I’m sorry for scaring you.”
I fed her a spoonful of food again. She accepted it and asked for a water when she’s full.
“Pierce, can you buy me something sweet?” She asked while I’m cleaning the bed table.
I smiled and nodded at her. “I saw a pastry across the hospital. I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you.”
I kissed the side of her lips before I left. I nodded at the guards guarding the door. He was sent by dad after he left.
“Don’t let anyone in.”
“Copy, sir.”
I nodded and went to the elevator. I pushed my hands inside the pocket of my pants when someone entered. My eyes were focused on my shoes that I didn’t realized I was with someone I didn’t like even from the very beginning.
“How is she?”
I immediately looked at the person beside me and my jaws clenched after I saw his face. I felt my blood immediately boiled in anger. My fists, inside the pocket of my pants balled.
“What are you doing here?!” I growled at him.
My eyes sharpened even more when he slowly turned to me with cold eyes.
“I wanna make sure she’s okay but you guarded her so tightly.”
I clenched my jaws. “I’m protecting her from someone like you, Carver!”
He sighed. “I won’t do something to hurt her.”
“You already did.”
“Protect her at all cost, Anderson. Because if I were in your shoes, I’d do the same. I would even give my life to save hers.”
I gritted my teeth. “You don’t have to tell me that because that’s what I’m gonna do.”
He nodded, making my forehead crease. I know him. He doesn’t accept defeat.
“Kelly is important to me, Anderson. Before I fell for her, she was my sister. I treasure her as much as you do and I’m always around to protect her. I just...fail today.”
“You always fail, Carver! You failed her a long time ago. When you allowed her father to die a miserable death. You failed her when you used her. You failed her when you tried to cage her.”
“Those were...out of impulse and...anger.”
I stared at him. We’re the same on height and I can clearly see the emptiness in his eyes even when he’s not looking at me.
I remembered what dad said. He’s implying that someone close to us is a traitor. Now, I’m starting to doubt everyone around me. Including this person and Emily.
I don’t know why he’s roaming around like this knowing that he’s on wanted list.
“Give this to Kelly.”
My forehead creased when he handed me a flash drive. I didn’t accept it and just stared at the small rectangular thing.
“Take it,” he added. “This is important.”
I clenched my jaws and accepted the flash drive. “What is this?”
“A video...” he answered and sighed. “...of her father during his last moments. I found it in her dad’s belongings. She need it...especially now.”
I pressed my lips together and watched him with halk-like eyes until the elevator door slid open. He took a single step before he stop and slightly turned his head to my direction.
“You should know that Kelly has always been in love with you and even when she tried to love me, I know, deep in her heart, you have a special place. You owned all of her, Anderson. I tried to conquer her, but she’s already been conquered a long time ago.”