Chapter 75 Wrong target
Eva was sitting still like a rock; her tears never stopped. Samantha was present by her side, feeling worried about her condition. Rose was a crying mess too, and Richard was trying to console her.
William was pacing in the hospital's lobby, whereas Steve was screaming on the security head
“How did this happen? What was your security team doing? Are we paying you all for this?”
“Sorry sir.. But it was an open area, and we still took the measures. “
“Measures my foot; any leads about the ”
“Our team checked the nearby buildings. But we got nothing."
“Damn it! Then what are you waiting for here, reward! Get lost and do whatever is required, but I want the person who dared to harm my family .“
The next moment, the security officials left from the place
Robert reached to Steve and patted on his shoulder, trying to calm him down
"Steve... we will get them soon, but you have to be strong. This moment, losing your temper, will not help you or any of us
“I know, uncle, but... I am scared now. I don’t want to lose him. I never saw my brother like this. “ Steve asserted his fear. Robert smiled at the bond of brothers
“We will not lose him. He will be fine soon. The surgery is still going on.”
Samantha attempted to convince Eva to consume some juice, yet Eva declined.
"Eva, you must drink this." It’s not good for you.
“It’s all my fault. I made him angry. He was right. I must have shared about my pregnancy with him first; I messed it all."
Michael, who was sitting in his wheelchair nearby, reached near her
“Eva, dear, try to handle yourself. It’s not your fault."
“It’s all my fault, always my fault. The actual target was my dad, but Stephen jumped in between to save me. I must have been there in surgery instead of him. He didn’t deserve this pain, dad, but I do. What if something happens to him?
“Nothing will happen to him ,”
In addition, William reached out to Eva and affectionately patted her head.
“Your father is indeed right. He is in no danger, as the doctor has already informed us about the bullet that struck his right shoulder. We must maintain a state of calmness and await his well-being. Now, please have this juice.”
"Dad, he will be fine soon, right?”
“Trust me with this. Come on now; don’t torture my grandchild. Have this. “ William forwarded the glass of juice towards her
Eva held the juice glass with trembling hands and sipped it.
One hour later, the doctors came out of the operating theater, and the family members hurried to them to inquire about Stephen’s well-being.
“The surgery was successful, as we could remove the bullet from his shoulder.”
“Can we meet him now?”
“You can see him. Soon we are going to shift him to the ICU. We will hold him under observation tonight. He will gain consciousness till morning.”
The family members sighed in, and soon they were standing outside the ICU looking at Stephen from the glass window. They all felt shattered as they looked at Stephen lying surrounded by machines and connected to several tubes.
Eva felt sorrow when she glimpsed Stephen’s condition. It convinced her that she bears exclusive responsibility for his vulnerable condition.
Rose and the other family members advised Eva to return home and take a rest, but she didn’t agree.
Steve arranged for a visitor’s room for the family members. It was almost dawn when Eva got asleep. Rose was present near her. Last night after surgery, Steve and William sent Michael home as he needed rest too, and they both kept waiting for Stephen to gain consciousness.
The next morning Stephen gained consciousness, and the nurse informed the family about it.
Eva was still asleep, so they decided not to disturb her sleep. and other family members left to meet Stephen.
Stephen spotted his parents first, then his brother. Rose reached to him and held his hand
“ Stephen.. How are you feeling now? God, you made all of us so scared.”
“Are you feeling any discomfort or pain? Tell us we will call the doctor."
Stephen gave a small smile at his worried family members and told them, “I am fine; don’t worry. First, tell me, how is Eva? And where is she? She didn’t get any injuries, right? And the baby is fine, right?
The others smiled, listening to his concern and William told him
"Relax, son; she is doing fine, and so is our grandchild. She slept in the morning, so we did not disturb her. As she needs rest, too.”
“That’s good."
"Steve, did you get any leads about this assault?"
“Not yet, but we all know who it must be.
“Hmm “
“What? You all know about the culprit; exactly whom are you talking about? “ Rose was stunned to know about this
"Who else? Liam Hudson mom.”
“But what will he achieve by killing you, Stephen?
“This attack was on Eva, not on me. I can’t even imagine how that devil was planning to make her suffer.
“Wiliam, why didn’t you do something? File a complaint now,” Rose told William in rage.
"No, mom, that will not help, as we didn’t have any evidence against him.”
“I agree with Steve’s assertion. It is of utmost importance that the news of this attack does not become public, particularly to the media.”“
"We are already on it. And now you should take rest, ok?"
“I am...” the next moment Stephen‘s eyes landed on the door where Eva was standing, gaping at him. Stephen gave a small smile at her, and she entered the room in slow steps.
Rose, William, and Steve left the room to give them some privacy.
Eva sat close to him and held his hand. She placed a kiss on his hand, more tears dropped from her eyes, she wiped them first and then started with her words
“I am so sorry, Stephen. For everything… I know you are suffering because of me.”
“ It’s nothing like that, Eva.”
“ No! I know it’s all because of me, and you were right last night. You should know about the pregnancy first. I am sorry for being such a stupid girl.” Eva cried hard, sobbing, hiding her face with her hands.
Stephen held her hand close to himself and told her
“Look at me, Eva.”
Eva gaped at him. Stephen placed a kiss on her hand and spoke.
“Stop blaming yourself. You are not at fault for anything, and I am sorry for last night, as I behaved like a fool. I must have understood your emotions too, but what I did was start with an argument. And last but not least, I am madly deeply in love with this stupid girl, so don’t dare to change yourself for anything, ok? ”
“Stephen, are you happy about this... baby?night you scared me with your reaction.”
“I already apologize for that, and I am thrilled with this news. ”
Eva smiled in tears and tried to hug Stephen, but her act made Stephen wince.
“Oh, I am sorry, Stephen. Did I hurt you? Wait, I will call the doctor.
“ No.. It’s ok. I think you have to control your hormones around me., at least for some days.
“Shut up! “ Eva smacked on his arm, and Stephen again winced in pain
“Ooh my god I did it again, sorry Stephen. “
“ Eva, relax; I am fine." The next moment a team of doctors arrived to check on Stephen and Eva had to exit the room .
After exiting the room,. Eva spotted Samantha and Richard present in the hospital. They are busy talking with Rose and William. They all were discussing Stephen‘s health
Spotting Eva, they all advised Eva to have breakfast. Eva denied at first, but after a lot of persistence, she later agreed to have a sandwich.
Steve also reached out to them and discussed how they were successful in stopping the spread of the news of this attack.
Few hours later
The Smith family was sitting in Stephen‘s room. Eva was helping Stephen with his meals as he got wounded in the right shoulder.
Shortly, Eva received a call from Mr. Miller. Eva put the call on speaker and kept her focus on helping Stephen. Miller notified her about some important meetings with the clients. Eva wanted to deny, but Stephen signaled her to agree. Eva sighed but still agreed to attend the meeting
After disconnecting the call, Eva asked,
“Why did you make me say yes? I am not interested in going anywhere, leaving you alone.".
“It seems to be an important client; you must attend them.”
“Nothing is more important to me than you
And soon Dad is also reaching out to meet you. I just don’t want to leave you."
Stephen smiled at her and told her,
“You must go. I will get discharged soon, maybe before evening, and you already know that we stopped this news from spreading.
“Your absence from work will bring doubts and look around. Mom, dad, and Steve are all, so I am anything but alone
So don’t worry and leave."
Eva exhaled a whiff and gave an agreeing nod to Stephen. Soon after, she started for home, as she needed to change her clothes to attend the meeting.
When Eva entered the office, Mr. Miller informed her about the meeting organized in the conference room. Eva was not expecting this as she made her way to the conference room.
The moment she arrived in the conference room, another surprise was waiting for her, as it was Liam Hudson sitting in the conference room. He was busy speaking with the clients
When Liam found Eva standing in the room, a wave of shock enacted on his face.