Luna's POV
I paced back and forth in the living room, my eyes fixed on the clock. Xavier had left for his meeting hours ago, and I hadn't heard from him since. Something felt off. I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had been growing inside me all day. I glanced upstairs, thinking of our son, Andre. Bedridden and frail, his health had been a constant worry for us.
Just then, a faint cry echoed from Andre's room. I rushed upstairs, my heart racing. Andre's eyes were wide open, his face contorted in pain. "Mom...I feel it," he whispered. "What is it, sweetie?" I asked, alarm rising. Andre's voice trembled. "Dad...he's hurt." My world stopped. Xavier. Before I could respond, the sound of cars pulling up outside filled the air.
I rushed to the window, and my heart leapt with relief as I saw Desmond helping Xavier out of the car. But my relief was short-lived. Xavier's leg was bleeding, and his face was etched with pain. "Oh no!" I screamed, rushing out of the room. I flung open the front door, and Xavier collapsed into my arms.
"Xavier! Oh my god!" Desmond helped me support him, and together we got him inside. "What happened?" I demanded, tears streaming down my face. Desmond's expression was grim. "Cassandra's men ambushed us. We'll explain everything later."
Dami's POV
I stood frozen, watching as Luna cradled Xavier's unconscious body in her arms. Jessica and Tania tried to console her, but she wouldn't stop shedding tears. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. I should have protected him better. I should have seen it coming. Desmond's voice brought me back to reality. "Dami, we need to get him to the hospital." I nodded, helping Desmond and the others carry Xavier to the car. As we sped away, I couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility. I had failed Xavier.
Luna's sobs echoed through the car, and I felt a pang of helplessness. Jessica and Tania tried to comfort her, but she was beyond consolation. At the hospital, the doctors rushed Xavier into surgery. We waited anxiously, our minds racing with worst-case scenarios. Luna's tears never stopped. I knew she blamed me too. I couldn't meet her gaze. I didn't deserve to.
Alessia's POV
I held Andre's frail body close, trying to comfort him as he cried uncontrollably. "Dad...Dad..." he sobbed, his small body shaking with fear. I stroked his hair, whispering softly. "Shh, Andre. Your dad is going to be okay." But Andre just cried harder, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. I knew he was scared. He had felt his dad's pain, sensed his distress.
I rocked him gently, trying to calm him down. "Andre, sweetie, your dad is strong. He'll get through this." But Andre's tears didn't stop. He was consumed by fear and worry. I stayed with him, holding him close, until finally, exhaustion took over and he fell asleep in my arms. I laid him down, watching him sleep, my heart heavy with worry. Xavier's injury had shaken us all, but Andre's fragile health made him especially vulnerable.
I vowed to be strong for him, to be his rock in this difficult time.
Mrs. Maria's POV
I walked into Andre's room, expecting to see my usual bright and cheerful grandson. Instead, I found him fast asleep, looking pale. Alessia, his caregiver, sat beside him, her eyes red-rimmed. "What's wrong?" I asked, alarm rising. Alessia stood, her expression worried. "Mrs. Maria, I'm so glad you're back. Andre's been upset since Xavier was hurt."
My heart sank. "What happened to Xavier?" Alessia filled me in on the details, her voice low. "He was ambushed. Dami and Desmond brought him to the hospital." I felt a wave of concern wash over me. Xavier, my son, hurt. "Andre felt it," Alessia continued. "He's been crying non-stop since then."
I looked at Andre, my poor grandson. He was already fragile; this news must have shaken him deeply. "How is Xavier?" I asked, my voice trembling. Alessia's expression was grim. "We don't know yet. Luna is at the hospital with him." I nodded, determination rising within me. I would go to the hospital and be with my family.
Mrs. Maria's POV
I sat down beside Andre's bed, my eyes fixed on his frail form. Alessia's words echoed in my mind - Xavier, my son, unconscious. My heart ached for Luna, too. She must be beside herself with worry. "How is Luna holding up?" I asked Alessia, my voice soft. Alessia's expression was sympathetic. "She's trying to stay strong, but it's clear she's devastated." I nodded, my mind racing. I needed to be with Luna, to support her through this. And Andre... poor Andre. He was already so fragile, and now this.
"Alessia, keep a close eye on him," I instructed. "I'll go to the hospital and be with Luna." Alessia nodded, her eyes understanding. As I stood to leave, I felt a sense of determination. My family was in crisis, and I needed to be there for them. I would be strong for Luna, for Andre, and for Xavier. We would get through this together.
I arrived at the hospital, my heart heavy with worry. I made my way to the ICU, where Luna was waiting. As I entered the room, I saw Luna's tear-stained face. She stood up, and we embraced tightly. "Any news?" I asked, my voice soft. Luna shook her head. "No change. He's still unconscious." I nodded, trying to stay strong.
Just then, the doctor came in. "Mrs. Maria, I'm glad you're here. We need to discuss Xavier's condition." I nodded, my heart racing.
Luna's POV
I walked alongside Mrs. Maria into the doctor's office, my heart heavy with anxiety. The doctor gestured for us to sit, his expression somber. "Please, have a seat," he said, his voice gentle.
Mrs. Maria and I sat down, our hands clasped together. "Xavier's condition is critical," the doctor began. "The bullet wound caused significant damage to his leg and internal organs." I felt a lump form in my throat as Mrs. Maria squeezed my hand. "The surgery was successful, but we need to monitor him closely for the next 48 hours," the doctor continued. I nodded, trying to process the information.
"What are his chances of recovery?" Mrs. Maria asked, her voice firm. The doctor hesitated before speaking. "We're doing everything we can, but...there are no guarantees." I felt a wave of fear wash over me. No guarantees? What did that mean for Xavier's future?
Luna's POV
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. No guarantees? How could that be? Xavier had to be okay. He had to come out of this. Mrs. Maria's grip on my hand tightened. "What does that mean, Doctor?" she asked, her voice firm but laced with worry. The doctor sighed. "It means we need to be prepared for any outcome. Xavier's injuries are severe, and there's a risk of...complications."
I couldn't bear to hear more. Complications? What kind of complications? I stood up, my heart racing. "I need to see him," I said, my voice shaking. Mrs. Maria nodded, and the doctor led us back to the ICU. As we entered the room, I saw Xavier lying motionless in the bed. My heart broke all over again. I took his hand, feeling a surge of determination. He would get through this. He had to stay strong.
(Mrs. Maria' POV
As we entered the ICU, I saw the nurse tending to Xavier's leg wound. My heart ached at the sight of my son's fragile form. Luna rushed to his side, her body shaking with sobs. I quickly wrapped my arms around her, holding her close. "My dear, it's okay," I whispered, trying to comfort her. "He's going to be okay."
But Luna just cried harder, her body trembling in my embrace. I held her tighter, feeling her pain and fear. The nurse looked up, her eyes sympathetic. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "This is a tough time." I nodded, still holding Luna. "She's his fiancée," I explained. "She's worried sick." The nurse nodded understandingly. "We're doing everything we can," she assured us. I continued to hold Luna, letting her cry out her fears and worries. Sometimes, a mother's embrace is all someone needs.
As Luna's sobs slowly subsided, I whispered words of comfort in her ear. "We'll get through this, together. As a family."
(Dami's POV)
I walked into the ICU with Desmond, my heart heavy with regret. If only I had reacted faster, maybe Xavier wouldn't be lying in that bed. Luna and Mrs. Maria turned to us, their eyes red-rimmed from crying. I immediately went to Luna, wrapping my arms around her. "I'm so sorry," I whispered, feeling a surge of guilt. "I should have protected him better." Luna shook her head, her voice barely audible. "It's not your fault, Dami." Mrs. Maria approached me, her eyes searching for answers. "What happened?" she asked, her voice trembling.
I took a deep breath, reliving the moments leading up to the ambush. "We were caught off guard," I explained. "They came out of nowhere." Desmond added, "We did everything we could, but..." Mrs. Maria's eyes welled up with tears again. "I just want my son to be okay."
I nodded, feeling a sense of determination. "We'll do everything we can to make sure he recovers." Luna leaned into me, her body still shaking. I held her close, trying to offer what little comfort I could. As we stood there, trying to process the situation, I remembered something. "Mrs. Maria, can I ask you something?" I said, hesitantly. She looked at me, her eyes curious. "Of course, Dami." "Do you know anything about your late husband's water factory?" I asked, trying to sound gentle. Mrs. Maria's expression changed, a mix of surprise and wariness. "What about it?" she asked, her voice cautious.
I sensed a hint of secrets, of stories untold. "We found out that the factory was a front for something bigger," I explained. "Something that might be connected to Xavier's attack."
Mrs. Maria's eyes dropped, her shoulders sagging. "I didn't know," she whispered. "My husband never told me." Desmond and I exchanged a knowing glance. There was more to this story, and we needed to uncover it. "Mrs. Maria, we need to know the truth," I said gently. "What do you think your husband might have been involved in?"