CH 53.Once Jackie had left, Steve turned his attention back to Andrianne. "You know what, Andrianne? I really thought you were smarter than this. I didn't think I'd have to kidnap your husband…. Oops I mean contracted husband to get what I want from you."Andrianne's heart was pounding in her chest. She couldn't believe it was Steve who had done this. She had trusted him, confided in him, and now he had betrayed her in the worst possible way."Why? Why did you do this?" she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper."You know, Andrianne," Steve began, his voice shaky with emotion. "I've always loved you. Even when we were kids, I knew you were the one for me. And when we reconnected, it was like fate brought us together again."Andrianne tried to step back, but Steve took a step forward, keeping the gun trained on her. "You can't deny it, Andrianne. The way we were together, it was like nothing else mattered. I still feel that way, even after everything that's happened."Andri
CH 54."Andrianne, are you okay?" Lucas asked weakly."I'm fine, but you're hurt. Let me call an ambulance," Andrianne said as she reached for her phone."No, don't," Lucas said, grabbing her hand. "We can't involve the police. Remember what that caller said? We have to find a way to handle this on our own."Andrianne hesitated. She knew that Lucas was right. If they involved the police, they could risk losing Lucas forever. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down."Okay, but we have to get you some medical attention. Let me get a first aid kit," Andrianne said, getting up from the ground.As she rummaged through the kit, she couldn't help but feel guilty about what had just happened. She had just killed a man, even if it was in self-defense. She knew that she would have to live with that for the rest of her life.When she turned back to Lucas, she saw that he had passed out. She panicked and tried to wake him up, but he didn't respond. She felt for his pulse and breathe
CH 55.Andrianne sat in the hospital waiting room with her head in her hands, trying to keep her composure. She couldn't believe what had happened, and she was scared for Lucas. Suddenly, a doctor walked towards her and she looked up."Mrs. Ross?" the doctor asked kindly."Yes, that's me," Andrianne replied, standing up nervously."I'm Dr. Johnson. Lucas has just come out of surgery and is in recovery. He's stable now, but it was a close call."Andrianne felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you, doctor. Can I see him?""Yes, of course. But you need to understand that he's still very weak and will need a lot of rest.""I understand. Thank you so much," Andrianne said gratefully.The doctor led her to Lucas's room and Andrianne couldn't believe how pale he looked. She took his hand in hers and felt tears prick at her eyes."Hey, you," she said softly.Lucas slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. "Hey," he said weakly.Andrianne squeezed his hand. "How are you feeling?""Like I
Andrianne's father sat in his big study, surrounded by expensive furniture and artwork. He was a powerful man, a wealthy businessman who had made a fortune through his connections and ruthlessness. He had built an empire through his criminal activities, and he was feared and respected by many.Suddenly, his phone rang. It was one of his most trusted men, Steve's right-hand man."What is it?" he barked into the phone."Boss, it's Steve," the man said, his voice trembling. "He's been shot."Andrianne's father felt a jolt of shock run through him. Steve was his most trusted enforcer, the man he relied on to handle the dirty work."Where is he?" he demanded."He's at the old warehouse on the edge of town. We found him there this morning."Andrianne's father hung up the phone and stood up, his mind racing. He knew he had to go to the scene and find out what had happened. He quickly grabbed his coat and headed out the door.When he arrived at the warehouse, he saw a group of his men gathere
CH 57.Lucas slowly stirred and his eyelids fluttered open. He blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the bright light in the hospital room. He turned his head to the side and saw Andrianne asleep in the chair next to his bed, her head resting on the edge of the bed.He smiled softly, feeling a rush of warmth in his chest at the sight of her. Despite everything that had happened, he was grateful to have her by his side. He tried to move his arm to reach out to her, but a sharp pain shot through his body, reminding him of his injuries.He winced and closed his eyes for a moment, taking deep breaths to calm himself down. He opened his eyes again and looked back at Andrianne. She looked peaceful in her sleep, her breathing slow and steady.He cleared his throat, trying to get her attention without startling her. "Hey," he said in a low voice.Andrianne's eyes slowly opened, and she looked at him with a mix of surprise and relief. "Hey, you're awake," she said softly, sitting up straigh
CH 58.As Andrianne entered Lucas's hospital room, she noticed that he was sitting up in bed and looking at the cards and flowers that had been delivered to him. He looked up as she walked in, and she couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked with his dark hair tousled and his blue eyes sparkling."Hey," he said, smiling at her. "You're back."Andrianne smiled back, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Yeah, I couldn't stay away for long."Lucas chuckled. "I don't blame you. This place is pretty boring without you around."Andrianne rolled her eyes playfully. "I highly doubt that. You're probably enjoying all the attention you're getting from your adoring fans."Lucas grinned. "Yeah, but they're not as pretty as you."Andrianne felt her cheeks flush at the compliment. She sat down in the chair next to his bed and they chatted for a while, catching up on what had happened while she was away. Lucas told her about the surgery he had undergone and how he was feeling better al
CH 59.Just then, the door opened and the doctor walked in. He smiled when he saw Lucas up and about, and quickly got to work checking his vital signs and making sure he was ready to be discharged."Well, Mr. Smith, it looks like you're ready to go home," the doctor said with a smile. "I've written you a prescription for some medication to take at home, and I want you to come back for a follow-up appointment in a week."Lucas nodded his understanding as Andrianne packed up his belongings. He was relieved to be leaving the hospital, eager to get back to his own bed and start the process of healing.As they walked out of the hospital, Lucas took a deep breath of fresh air and let out a contented sigh. Andrianne looked over at him with concern, wondering if he was feeling okay."I'm just so glad to be out of there," Lucas explained. "I'm feeling much better, and I can't wait to get home."Andrianne smiled at him, happy to see him in better spirits. She knew that he had been through a lot
CH 60.As the days went by, Andrianne and Lucas's fears of the police investigation into Steve's death intensified. They had been living in fear, waiting for the inevitable to happen. They both knew that they had to be careful, especially Andrianne, as she was Steve's last known contact before his untimely demise.One day, as they were sitting in the living room, Andrianne finally broke the silence, "Lucas, what if the police come knocking on our door? What are we going to do?"Lucas looked at her with a worried expression on his face, "I don't know, Andrianne. I wish there was something we could do, but we can't change what's already happened."Andrianne nodded slowly, "I know, but what if they find out that I had something to do with Steve's death? I don't know how I'm going to live with myself if that happens."Lucas reached over and took her hand, "Hey, don't worry about it. We'll figure something out. We can't change the past, but we can control the present and the future. We jus