2. Shadows of Regret

Laying there, as Jada's trembling hands pressed against the cold floor, fighting to regain control of her racing thoughts, images flashed before her mind's eye, memories of happier times intertwining with the horrifying reality she now found herself trapped in. The scent of fresh flowers on their first date, the sound of Leon's laughter that used to warm her heart, and the touch of his hand that had once brought her comfort all tainted by the dark truth that had been revealed.

The room felt suffocating, and every breath she took was a struggle, as if the atmosphere conspired against her.

Suddenly, Leon began to walk towards Jada, his eyes never leaving hers as he pointed the gun in her face. The glimmer of satisfaction that danced in his eyes sent a chill down her spine, the intensity of his gaze making her feel exposed and vulnerable. With each step, his presence seemed to loom larger, casting a dark shadow over her trembling body.

When Leon stopped by her, he forcefully yanked the documents from her trembling grip. Then, the sound of a tearing paper echoed through the room. 

Realizing that she was getting dizzy, Jada's desperation surged within her, fueled by her will to live. With a surge of adrenaline, she reached out, her fingers grasping at his shoes, desperate as she begged, "Ple-ase, Le..on. Sa-ve... me." 

But Leon, his face twisted with contempt, swiftly yanked her hand away, stepping back from her trembling body.

"Bye, little butterfly," Leon's voice rang out, chillingly devoid of remorse. "I am sorry for breaking your wings. But I need them too to fly."

Drawing a deep breath, he shut his eyes briefly, and then, with a turn of his back, he walked away, leaving Jada lying on the cold floor of their mansion hall.

The silence of the empty house they once called home haunted her with the thought that he left her half-alive so she could suffer and die a slow, painful death.

'You really hate me that much, Leon. What did I ever do but love you.' Jada thought as she fought to stay awake, alive.

Just as her body couldn't take it anymore and she was about to give in to the agony, Jada's eyes caught a glimpse of movement through the haze of pain and confusion. 

A blurry version of the door swung open, and a figure appeared in the doorway, their features dimmed by the disorienting fog clouding her vision. She strained to focus, her head throbbing loudly as if the gunshot had unleashed a storm within her.

Slowly, Jada's eyes darted back and forth, desperately attempting to make out the figure as they approached her. But her vision remained distorted. Frustration clawed at her, threatening to overwhelm her willpower, but she refused to succumb to defeat.

As the figure drew nearer, Jada's vision blurred further, the details of their appearance melting away. Her eyelids grew heavy, the pain in her head intensifying with each passing moment. Sensing defeat, she made a split-second decision. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the darkness that threatened to consume her.

Seconds passed, and then Jada felt her body lift from the floor into the arms of someone she wished she could see, but her eyes refused to open.

"Who are you?" Jada whispered.

"Safe your strength, and don't you dare die on me, you hear me?!" His trembling voice rang in her ear.

With the last ounces of strength she had left, she raised her bloody hand, resting it on his face, and whispered, "You came back for me. Why would you save me after all I have done to you? Why?"

~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~

Since the Mercedes-Benz S-Class arrived before Leon could drive off, he had been watching the mansion from a discreet distance, hidden behind a veil of darkness in his black car. 

The moonlight had faded, casting eerie shadows across the sprawling estate. Leon's senses were on high alert as he strained to pick up any unusual sounds or movements, unable to see anything, afraid to get caught.

But then he heard the Mercedes-Benz S-Class exit the mansion's driveway. The vehicle moved at lightning speed, and Leon's heart raced as he recognized it, leaving him with dread.

A crippling fear gripped him for a while, and his breaths came quick and shallow as he wrestled with his inner demons. But he had the urge to know if Jada was dead and couldn't bear the uncertainty any longer. With trembling hands, he started his car's engine and discreetly tailed the vehicle, maintaining a safe distance.

The drive seemed unending, the winding roads and empty streets like a maze leading him deeper into his fears. His headlights switched off through the inky blackness, following the car like a shadow.

Finally, they arrived at the hospital.Then Leon parked his car a distance away, still hidden from view, and watched the Mercedes-Benz S-Class pull up to the parking entrance. His heart pounded in his chest, anxiety gnawing at him. 

The hospital's automatic doors slid open, and two figures emerged from the car. Leon strained his eyes, trying to make out their identities. It was Jada...

But when his gaze rested on the one holding her, his fingers clenched the steering wheel as he watched them disappear into the hospital. Time stretched on, feeling like an eternity, as he sat there, his mind a turbulent sea of conflicting emotions. 

Finally, he decided he couldn't wait any longer and stepped out of his car, his footsteps silent on the asphalt as he approached the hospital. The automatic doors swished open once more, granting him entry.

Trying to make himself look small, Leon's heart raced as he approached the receptionist. He needed information, and he needed it fast. 

"Excuse me," he said, "I'm looking for a woman just brought in. Her name is Jada."

The receptionist glanced at her computer screen and then back at Leon. "I'm sorry, sir, I can't provide you with the patient information."

Desperation surged within him, but he couldn't let that deter him, and he swallowed his ego, crying, "Please, it's important. I need to know if she's okay."

The receptionist hesitated momentarily, her expression softening as she studied Leon's worried face and then added, "I'm sorry, I can't help you. Her medical information has been sealed, and I don't want to offend the devil himself... Sorry."

Frustration and helplessness threatened to overwhelm Leon. He glanced around the hospital, wondering how he could possibly find Jada. The minutes ticked by like hours, and the silence of the hospital corridor seemed to mock him.

A sense of defeat washed over him as he turned away from the nurse. With a troubled heart, Leon retraced his steps, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridor, and then, he returned to his car. 

"Fuck! I should have finished the job!!" He cried out.

For the longest, he rested his head on the steering wheel. Then Leon took one last look at the hospital and whispered, "There is no way she can survive a shot to the head. Goodbye, little butterfly."