Chloé rushed toward Lorenzo, her heart pounding wildly, and saw him collapse heavily into her arms. Panic instantly took over. Her hands trembled as she wrapped her arm around his back, pressing him against her to support his weight and ease his pain. Slowly, she helped him move toward the bed, each step feeling like an eternity.
Once they reached it, Lorenzo fell onto the bed, his left hand still gripping his right shoulder tightly—where the bullet had pierced his skin. His breath was uneven, his muscles tense, as if he were frozen in a silent battle against the pain. Without saying a word, Chloé ran to the bathroom. Seconds later, she came back holding a towel, her face pale, her eyes filled with tears.
She climbed onto the bed and knelt beside him. Gently but firmly, she removed his hand from the wound and pressed the towel against it, applying as much pressure as she could to stop the bleeding. Her tearful gaze never left Lorenzo's, searching for reassurance. His blurry eyes struggled to stay open as he fought to remain conscious, clenching his teeth against the pain.
Chloé (crying)
_ Who did this to you? I told you to stay home! How did you get shot? We need to go to the hospital right now!
Lorenzo, panting, gripped the sheets on both sides of the bed as if he wanted to tear them apart, every movement revealing the intensity of his pain. Sweat covered his face, his eyes red and exhausted, veins visible on his forehead.
Chloé (panicking, crying)
_ Answer me! Why are you looking at me like that with those red eyes? How am I supposed to take you to the hospital? Why did you come back like this?!
Lorenzo (murmuring, trembling voice)
_ I… I'm not going to the hospital. Leave… the doctor will be here in a few minutes.
Chloé (shocked, eyes wide)
_ Whaaat?! You called a doctor to come here? Are you serious?!
At that moment, the door suddenly opened, revealing the same doctor who had treated Chloé before. She frowned in surprise but kept pressing the wound to stop the bleeding.
Doctor (firm)
_ Ma'am, please step out. I need to take care of the "Jaguar."
Chloé (confused)
_ Jaguar? Huh… who is the—
Lorenzo (imposing, in pain)
_ Get out and stop asking questions.
Chloé (shaken)
_ Wait! You can't stay like this! How is he going to treat you without equipment? Are you serious?!
Lorenzo (shouting in pain)
_ GET OUT!
Chloé flinched, tears filling her eyes, and immediately pulled her hands away from the wound. Without another word, she stepped away. The doctor moved toward Lorenzo as she opened the door, stepping out and closing it behind her.
She leaned against it, hands pressed to her chest, breathing heavily as silent tears ran down her face. Her eyes stared into nothingness, but her mind was racing.
Chloé (inner voice)
My heart is beating like crazy… How did he even get shot in the shoulder?! The blood… it's already too much, but the worst part is he came home instead of going to the hospital. Who is Lorenzo De Santis really? Who is this man I married? I need to know… I have to. He's hiding something, I'm sure of it.
Still leaning against the door, she listened as the doctor worked inside, removing the bullet from Lorenzo's shoulder. Teeth clenched, fists tight, Lorenzo fought the pain, refusing to close his eyes. Every breath was a struggle. The doctor, sitting on the edge of the bed, hands trembling, worked with what little equipment he had, sweat running down his face.
Doctor (nervous)
_ Jaguar… the bullet is deeper than I thought. It's going to hurt a lot if I remove it now, and the wound might widen.
Lorenzo (authoritative)
_ Stop talking and take that damn bullet out! I'm not ending up in a hospital.
The doctor said nothing more and continued. He knew Lorenzo would never agree to go to a hospital. Danger was always around him, and his enemies were waiting for any weakness.
One hour later…
An hour had passed. Daylight had begun to creep in through the windows. Chloé was still there, leaning against the wall, staring at the door, hoping for good news.
Finally, the door opened. The doctor stepped out, exhausted, holding his medical case. Chloé rushed toward him.
Chloé (nervous)
_ Doctor… is my husband okay? Were you able to remove the bullet?
Doctor (reassuring)
_ Yes, don't worry. The bullet is out, and the wound has been properly treated. It shouldn't cause any problems. But tell him he needs serious rest if he wants the pain to go away quickly.
Chloé (worried)
_ And… no medication for the pain?
Doctor (calm)
_ No. He refused any painkillers. He strictly forbade it.
Chloé frowned.
Chloé (inner voice)
Seriously… this guy is insane. Getting operated on at home, refusing meds… is that impressive or just suicidal?
Doctor
_ You can go see him now.
Chloé nodded and entered the room. Lorenzo was lying there, shirtless, asleep at last. His face was still tense from the pain. His shoulder was carefully bandaged.
She walked closer, sat on the edge of the bed, and gently placed her hand on his face, brushing his hair back.
Chloé (softly)
_ Mr. Grumpy… we're definitely going to talk. I'm not gonna lie, I was terrified when you came back like that, covered in blood… I thought I was going to faint. You better explain how you got yourself into this mess when you wake up.
Suddenly, the door burst open. Marco and Fabio rushed in. Chloé jumped up, nearly bumping into them.
Marco (worried)
_ Hey Chloé, how is Lorenzo?
Fabio (tense)
_ Has the doctor already been here?
Chloé (calm, slightly sharp)
_ Yes. He's been treated. He's doing better… just sleeping.
They sighed in relief and approached the bed.
Marco (low voice)
_ How the hell did he get shot? The delivery went perfectly. We all left without issues. Do you think he got ambushed?
Fabio (serious)
_ No idea… but we need to find out who did this.
Chloé watched them carefully, noticing something.
Chloé (inner voice)
Wait… why is his lip injured? Did he get into a fight or…?
They soon left, refusing to explain anything.
Alone again, Chloé whispered:
Chloé (determined)
_ Something's not right. His friends won't talk… but him? He's going to answer my questions. I can't live with a man hiding another life.
---
Meanwhile…
Inside a car, the masked man from before gripped the steering wheel, a cold aura surrounding him.
Masked man (inner voice)
Ah, Lorenzo… this is only the beginning. I won't kill you yet. You need to stay alive… to watch your little girl end up six feet under.
He laughed coldly.
_ Hahahahaha…!_
To be continued…