Ivy’s POV
Roman forced Caleb toward the family office at gunpoint while tears stread down my face. The mont they vanished from sight, the door opened quietly and Justin slipped inside, pressing his finger to his lips for silence.
"Mrs. Thorne, my deepest apologies," Justin whispered with urgency. "I have no understanding of how he breached our compound security, but we will resolve this matter. Please proceed upstairs imdiately, move silently, and remain with the children. My n will stand guard. Our contacts in law enforcent are already en route."
"Caleb! Justin, Roman will execute him!"
Terror consud every fiber of my being.
"You have my solemn oath, ma’am, that will not occur. However, I require your family secured on the upper floor. I will not fail you again." Justin steadied as I rose from my position.
"This betrayal is not your fault, Justin," Carn whispered shakily. She had been held at gunpoint when I arrived earlier. "Forgive , Ivy, but he pressed the barrel to my temple as I departed my residence and concealed himself in my vehicle. I should have permitted him to end my life instead!"
"Never speak such words! You had no alternatives available. Now we must verify my children’s safety upstairs. Max will be awakening soon," I said, struggling to maintain composure in my voice while keeping her calm.
Upstairs, I confird both children remained in peaceful slumber. I instructed Carn to monitor them and rushed to my bedroom to change from my nightwear. I swiftly pulled on dark leggings, a black shirt, and running shoes. As I moved toward the staircase, family security blocked my path.
"Understand this clearly, I am descending whether you assist or obstruct . If you prevent my use of these stairs, I will launch myself from that window, and you can explain to your Don how I ca to be broken on the grounds below!" I threatened the guard, who reluctantly stepped aside.
Returning to the main floor, I discovered Inspector Adler and Daniel entering, both fixing with disapproving stares.
"Ivy, return upstairs this instant!" Daniel commanded in a harsh whisper.
"Absolutely not!" I snapped in response. "I must witness my husband’s survival with my own eyes."
"And you believe placing yourself in jeopardy accomplishes that goal?" Daniel demanded.
"If that is what circumstances require!" I shot back, beyond caring about their concerns. Caleb’s survival was my sole priority.
"Ivy, we have established a complete periter around the estate. We are preparing to breach that office. Where are your children positioned?" Adler approached directly.
"Secure in their rooms with Carn and the secondary nanny," I replied. "And you cannot simply storm that office. He has his weapon pressed against Caleb’s skull!"
"We comprehend the situation and will execute this operation safely," Adler assured .
"I dismiss your assurances, I am accompanying your team," I declared firmly.
"Ivy, you will not be positioned anywhere near the line of fire!" Daniel’s eyes blazed as if his glare could force my compliance.
"I will remain behind your officers. But I am proceeding!" I insisted, and he exhaled in frustration.
"If there exists absolutely no alternative!" Daniel conceded defeat.
We advanced slowly and silently through the corridor. Reaching the office door, we found it slightly ajar. We froze in complete silence. Roman’s voice drifted from within.
"You understand, Caleb, I have always desired this estate. It is absolutely magnificent. I attempted to acquire sothing comparable, but could not secure property in this exclusive territory. Wealth alone proves insufficient, you require the proper family na. You privileged elites are identical, existing within your protected sphere and excluding all others." Roman’s breathing grew labored. "But my strategy was flawless - you would marry Yara, and we would relocate here alongside you, and when I demolished your empire, I would establish my dominance and beco master of this compound. But you destroyed my blueprint."
An officer hurled an object into the office, creating a loud crash. When Roman instinctively turned toward the distraction, Inspector Adler shouted, "Get down, Caleb!"
Two gunshots erupted and my heart pounded violently. I attempted to rush forward, but Daniel restrained . When he finally permitted my entry into the office, I thought death would claim . Caleb lay motionless beside the desk, while Roman writhed on the floor being restrained. Roman had sustained a leg wound. I rushed to my husband, who had been shot in the chest. Desperation overwheld completely.
"Caleb, Caleb, my love, speak to ..." I sobbed, cradling his face.
"My angel, everything will be acceptable," Caleb whispered weakly.
Daniel knelt beside , pressing cloth against Caleb’s wound.
"Stay calm, brother, everything will be acceptable, but you must remain conscious, do not close your eyes. I understand this is difficult, but you need to stay awake," Daniel spoke while Caleb kept his gaze locked on mine.
The ambulance seed to take an eternity. When paradics arrived, they requested I step back so they could treat my husband. I stood and walked to Roman, restrained on the floor. I wanted to destroy him, but death would be too rciful - better for him to survive and spend his existence confined in our family’s dungeons because when he eventually erged, he would be ancient and broken.
But I wanted him to suffer! I stared directly into his eyes and placed my foot on his wound, applying my full weight, making Roman scream in agony.
"You understand, Roman, if I ended your miserable existence right now, I suspect these officers would claim self-defense," I said with fury. "But I want you imprisoned in our deepest cells. I want you trapped in a freezing, filthy, reeking dungeon, with zero visitors. I want you to lose your sanity in that cage. And you can guarantee I will spend whatever resources necessary to keep you locked away for your remaining years, which I hope are nurous. And if possible, I will even compensate our most violent soldiers to visit you daily."
When I stepped back, I noticed the officers around smiling with satisfaction. Daniel stood behind and said,
"Your wish is our command, Ivy. We will ensure our forr underboss becos a legend of suffering, and you will not spend a single dollar on it. Now accompany Caleb. I have already contacted the family and told them to help care for the children."
"Thank you, Daniel! Thank you everyone!" I smiled at the officers and followed the stretcher to the ambulance.
During transport to the hospital, the paradic updated on my husband’s condition, which was severe, but he was fighting and they were maintaining his stability.
At the hospital, I waited in the family room where Dominic, Jude, Xavier, Finn, Scott, and Heidi had already gathered and embraced . Within minutes, Zoe and Ruby arrived, assuring to remain calm because Gemma, Nora, and Lila stayed ho to assist Carn with the children. The compound was secure since security had thoroughly swept everything. Soon Dr. Taylor approached us.
"My dear, I have an update." Dr. Taylor said, grasping my hands. "Caleb’s condition is critical, but he has been taken to surgery and will be operated on by my finest surgical team. The positive news is that the bullet missed his heart, but it is lodged extrely close to a major artery, making this delicate surgery. It will require considerable ti. But I will keep you inford."
"Thank you, doctor," I said, feeling my legs weaken. "May I examine you?" Dr. Taylor asked.
"That is unnecessary, I am acceptable," I replied.
"Very well. You need to consu sothing because Caleb will need you strong to support his recovery." The doctor cautioned and coaxed a weak smile from .
"Do not worry, Taylor, I am already heading to the cafeteria to bring her nourishnt," Zoe said and departed without waiting for my response.
"Gentlen, Caleb has lost significant blood. We require donors," Dr. Taylor announced.
"Leave this to , doctor. I will organize it imdiately. Scott, can your people send word throughout our organization and arrange for volunteers to arrive?" Xavier said, retrieving his phone.
"Absolutely. I will handle it." Scott grabbed his phone and exited the room with Xavier.
I sat there repeating to myself that I could not lose him, I could not lose Caleb. Our family required him, he had to survive.
Soon Xavier returned to inform that they had far exceeded the necessary number of donors, but blood donations continued as both our soldiers and Adler and Daniel’s police contacts wanted to contribute.
The surgery lasted many exhausting and torturous hours. Periodically, a nurse would enter the waiting room to report that surgery was still ongoing, but he remained stable. When the doctor finally arrived with news, I froze.
"Mrs. Thorne, I am Dr. Grant Santos, I perford your husband’s surgery. Everything proceeded successfully and we extracted the bullet. Your husband will remain in the ICU until he awakens, as he is still not beyond the critical period. But the prospects are the most favorable possible. He is still in recovery, and as soon as feasible, a nurse will escort you to see him."
"And how long until he awakens, doctor?" I asked anxiously.
"I cannot specify precisely. He lost substantial blood, his body requires ti to recover, different individuals respond differently. But since your husband is young and healthy, I believe within the next day or so he should awaken. If he remains stable, he will be transferred to a regular room," Dr. Grant concluded with a smile, and I thanked him.
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