Chapter 49
Second Chances Protecting Mrs. Hall
Chapter 49 As Emma plummeted through the air, a man leaped from the helicopter, catching her in a strong embrace. A familiar voice whispered in her ear, âEmma, I want you to live!â
She tried to look up at him, but he held her tightly against his chest. She couldnât see his face, but his presence was unmistakable. âCould it be Liam?â she wondered.
Suddenly, a âBang!â rang out. A bullet whizzed past Emmaâs ear, slicing through the air. The man holding her grunted, and the faint smell of blood filled the air. At that moment, she realized the horrifying truthâLiam had taken a bullet for her.
When Emma opened her eyes, she found herself in a hospital *Are you feeling alright? Is your vision clear? Any pain?â The questions came from a man in a white coat, standing in a beam of sunlight that made him look like an angel âYou are...â Emma began.
âYou can call me Dr. Duncan. Iâm your attending physician,â he replied with a reassuring smile.
Memories of Elijahâs past betrayal made Emma cautious. âWhich hospital is this? What happened at the concert? Who saved me yesterday?â Her questions were sharp, reflecting her inner turmoil.
Aaron Duncan chuckled. âYouâre quite interesting. Most patients first ask about their own condition, but here you are, concerned about everything else. Were you a detective or something?â
Emma didnât respond, her gaze steady, waiting for the answers.
âYouâre in Troln Hospital, the best in the city,â Aaron explained, showing his ID with a smile. âThe explosion didnât happen, and your quick actions are being praised across the country. Youâre quite the hero now!â
Emma felt uneasy. âAnd whereâs the person who saved me in the helicopter?â
âIâm not sure about that,â Aaron admitted. âYou were brought here by ambulance. Anything before that, youâd need to check with the police.â
Disappointment flickered across Emmaâs face, mirrored by an unexpected pang in Aaronâs heart. âBesides the police, was there anyone else involved in saving you last night?â he asked.
Emma regained consciousness and murmured, âIâm not sure. Maybe I imagined it.â She thought it might have been Liam who saved her, but she couldnât be sure.
Suddenly, Emma remembered something importantâif Liam had been shot saving her, a wound on his shoulder would confirm it was him, Eager to call Liam, Emma reached for her phone only to find it dead.
âYour phoneâs battery is drained,â Aaron informed her gently. âYou can use your uncleâs phone once heâs finished with the paperwork.â
âMy uncleâs here too?â Emma asked, surprised.
âYes,â Aaron replied with a smile. âHeâs been by your side for over twentyâfour hours, making every nurse in the department quite jealous.â
Emmaâs lips twitched into a wry smile. It was almost unheard of for a celebrity like Sean to stay in a hospital that long.
08:28 Mon, 8 Jul W Chapter 49 âDid anyone else come to see me?â she asked, her voice tinged with hope. She thought Liam might have come.
å·83%æ¢ Aaron shook his head. âNo, just him.â He noticed the disappointment on her face. Despite his professional detachment, Aaron found himself concerned about her vulnerability. He saw her as a little girl, probably because Sean had told him that Emma was Seanâs niece.
Emma looked stunning even in her sleep, her beauty undiminished by the hospital setting. Aaron, usually unfazed by the affluent families he treated, found himself unexpectedly wn to her. He reached out, gently smoothing her tousled hair. âHave a rest,â he advised softly. âYou have your uncle here, so donât worry too much, okay?â
Emmaâs situation seemed unusual. With such a major incident, only her uncle had come to the hospital. Her parents and friends were nowhere to be seen. Aaron wondered if she was perhaps waiting for someone special who hadnât yet appeared, which probably meant a chance for Aaron.
Lost in these thoughts, Aaron was unaware that the door had silently opened. A man in a wheelchair witnessed Aaronâs tender gesture.
Liamâs expression darkened when he saw Aaron touching Emmaâs head and Emma smiling back at Aaron.
âThank you, gratitude.
Dr. Duncan. Youâve really shown me that there are still good doctors out there,â Emma said, her voice filled with genuine Liamâs mood turned stormy when he saw her smile at another man, his face clouding over with jealousy and pain. The ache in his shoulder, where the bullet had been hastily removed without anesthesia, flared up with renewed intensity. He had endured a night of agony, driven by his concern for Emma, only to find her flirting with someone else.
Unaware of the figure lingering at the door, Aaron continued the conversation. âMost doctors mean well. Have you ever had a bad experience with one?â
âSort of,â Emma replied noncommittally.
Aaron chuckled. âYou seem wise beyond your years. Iâm glad to have played a part in your story today. Just remember to take good care of yourself.â
Emma nodded politely in response. Just then, a noise at the door caught her attention. âWhat was that?â
Aaron turned to look, his brow furrowing as he saw nothing amiss. âProbably just a patient dropping something in the hall. Iâll check on my other patients now. You should stay here and wait for your family.â
âOkay.â Emma nodded.
Once Aaron left, Emma cautiously got out of bed and approached the door. There, on the floor, lay a beautifully wrapped paper bag, still warm and emitting a delicious aroma, bearing the logo of her favorite restaurant.
âIt has to be from Liam!â Excited, Emma scooped up the bag and hurried into the hallway. At the end of the corridor, she spotted two bodyguards in black suits, one pressing the elevator button, the other holding the door open for a man in a wheelchair.
âLiam!â Emma called out, her voice echoing down the hallway.