I leaned away from the table. "Ma... Maria," I called.
"Hmm? Please help . You’re the only person I can rely on. You are the only one who can save him. If you choose him, he’ll beco a better version of himself. He will. You just have to choose him."
"Maria..." I called again.
"Please, Parker needs you; he desperately needs you. He is dying inside, and you’re the only person who can save him. If you save him, I’ll spend the rest of my life repaying my debt to you."
"Maria," I called for the third ti, "Maria, I can’t..." I shook my head. "I just can’t choose him simply because you asked."
"I know, but he needs you. I’ve explained it to you; he was really a sweet boy. He can beco sweet again if you choose him. Only you can help him, Ara, only you."
"The others need too; I can’t abandon them for Parker. I’m sorry," I whispered.
"I’m not asking you to abandon them," she reached for my hands and held them. "I’m not asking you to abandon the others; the only thing I’m asking is that you save him. Save my son. Choose him."
"It’s the sa thing; if I choose him, I’d be abandoning the others, and I don’t want to do that."
"You can still be close to the others; I don’t mind. Parker also won’t mind. But just make Parker your priority. Make him your favorite, please."
"Maria..." I tried to withdraw my hands, but she held them tightly.
"Maria..." I called yet again.
"I want him back. I am desperate, and I’ll do anything in and out of my ability to save him. I want him to also cut all his ties with his father; if you promise to save Parker, then I’ll also risk my life for you and everyone else."
"What do you an?"
"The general," she whispered.
"The general?" I frowned.
"Yes, the general has been a pain in everyone’s ass; I’m sure his other won would be delighted if he wound up dead."
My eyes widened, and I snatched my hands away. "Maria," I gasped, shocked by her words.
She smiled. "You’ve gotten comfortable with ; you’ve been calling my na repeatedly since we t. I’ll take it as a positive sign."
"Don’t do it. I don’t know what you’re planning, but don’t. For Parker’s sake, please don’t. I heard how dangerous the general is. Even Bryce stiffens at the ntion of him. Don’t do it."
She smiled again. "There’s nothing I won’t do for him, for his happiness. If you promise your full support, then I’ll risk my life and take him out."
"No," I refused, rising to my feet. "I can’t promise you that. I’m sorry." Then I grabbed my bag and left the coffee shop.
I got into my vehicle, and Joshua drove to the mansion. "You’re back," Nanny Samantha said, rushing to .
"Yes, I am. Is anything the matter?" I asked when I noticed the worry lines on her face.
"Alpha Bryce returned a while ago, and it seems like he got hurt; he even called a doctor."
"He got hurt?" I frowned.
"Yes. I saw the maids cleaning his blood off the floor; I think he was stabbed."
"What?" I exclaid.
"He also..." She continued to speak, but I didn’t wait for her to finish and ran upstairs. I got to his door and knocked.
The door opened, and a familiar face appeared. He’s a doctor, but I don’t rember his na.
"Good day, Ms.," he greeted before stepping out of the room.
"Is Bryce inside?"
"Yes, he just fell asleep. I’ll be on my way now," the doctor said and began to leave.
"Wait," I called him back.
"Yes, Ms.?"
"What happened to him? Was he really stabbed?"
"No, he was shot; he took the bullet out before I ca. I cleaned the wound and dressed it. Thankfully, the bullet didn’t touch any vital organs, so he’ll be fine," he inford .
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, Ms., put your mind at ease; I’ll be on my way now," he said and imdiately left.
After the doctor left, I twisted the doorknob and opened it. I peeked in and saw him asleep on his bed.
How did he get shot? I thought he was invincible. He always acted so arrogantly; how did he end up like this?
I walked into the room and gently closed the door behind . Then I tiptoed to his bed and sat by his side.
I admired his long, thick lashes that fanned over his eyes. I watched the steady rise and fall of his chest. I admired his sharp jaw and pointed nose.
Perfect! He is so good-looking. Why does he look so amazing?
Why does a criminal look so handso? Did he have to look so perfect?
I continued watching him and eventually beca sleepy. I fell asleep beside him. I must have slept for a long while because when I woke up, I was on the bed, and Bryce was nowhere to be found.
What the heck. How long was I asleep? I sat up on the bed and looked around the dark room.
Where is he? I got off the bed and turned on the light; the room brightened imdiately, and my eyes went to the wall clock.
It’s past midnight.
Is Bryce in the bathroom? I went to the bathroom and listened for any sound but didn’t hear anything. I opened the door and looked in. The bathroom was empty.
I also checked his inner room, and it was empty too. He’s not in his room. Where is he? Did he leave the house? He was shot. He should be resting; why would he leave? Where would he go?
I walked to my bag, which was sitting on the table, opened it, and got my phone. I searched for his number, and when I found it, I didn’t hesitate to dial.
He picked up on the second ring. "Where are you?" I instantly questioned.
"My office," he replied. He sounds okay.
"Office? Why would you go there this late?" I exhaled.
"I’m downstairs," he said, and the line went dead.
Downstairs? Does he an he’s inside the house?
In his office?
Oh, I understand. He’s in his office. Shit. I forgot he has an office here.
I rushed out of the room, ran down the stairs, and went straight to his office. I knocked on the door.
"Co in," he called. I turned the doorknob and went in; I saw him looking through a bunch of paperwork.
Of course. What was I expecting from a workaholic? He should be resting; I can’t believe him.
"You arrived faster than I expected," he murmured, his eyes not leaving the papers on his desk.
"I was... worried."
"Why? You thought I was going to die? Is that why you stayed beside ?"
"I was only worried; I didn’t stay beside you," I retorted.
"I won’t die; you can relax," he said, still not looking away from the paperwork.
I rolled my eyes and sat in the visitor’s chair opposite him.
"What are you doing?"
"There are so things I need to check."
"What about your wound? Is it healing? Do you feel okay?"
"I am fine. I’m used to this."
He’s used to it? How can he be used to getting shot? Is he in his right mind, or is he still delirious from the treatnt?
"You didn’t join us for breakfast this morning; why did you leave so early?" he asked.
"Today is a new day," I murmured, and when he heard that, he paused and looked at .
"What ti is it?"
"It’s past 1:00 a.m.," I answered.
He grabbed his phone and checked the ti, then mumbled so words I couldn’t catch.
He arranged the papers, tucked them into a brown bag, and rose to his feet. "It’s late; let’s go to bed."
"Are you done?"
"No, but I’ll continue later," he replied.
I got up, and we left his office. We were on our way upstairs when my stomach made a noise. I held onto it.
He looked at . "Didn’t you have lunch?" he asked.
"I didn’t; I didn’t have breakfast either," I confessed, feeling a little embarrassed.
He faced . "Why? What were you up to? What did you spend your ti on?" He interrogated, but I didn’t say a word and kept my gaze down.
I can’t tell him about Ryan, nor about my eting with Maria. Telling him I t Maria isn’t a cri, but I feel like he might ask questions and eventually learn about our conversation. I don’t want that.
"Do you intend to keep your mouth shut?" He groaned. "You left very early and didn’t have breakfast, lunch, or dinner. What were you doing that kept you so busy?" He scolded.
But I stayed silent, refusing to say a word.
He sighed. "You don’t have to answer; I’ll find out for myself. It’ll only take a few minutes," he said and started to walk away.
But I stopped him. "What about you?" I half-yelled. "Who shot you? Why did you get hurt? Why are you so mad at for keeping quiet when you’ve always kept quiet about many things? You didn’t even tell how you got shot."
"Shouldn’t you be explaining that to instead?" I groaned.
My words made him pause; he turned to , one brow raised, and began to study .
"What?" I mouthed. Why is he staring at ? It’s been minutes.
"Did I do sothing wrong?" I asked, but instead of responding, he surprised with his next action.
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