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“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?