Chapter 25 Chapter 25.

Chapter 25 Chapter 25.
Francesca turned sharply, not expecting the gasp. She was met with a young woman—a nurse who was too stunned to make any further move or sound. 

As Lucien was leaving the ward, the door didn't shut behind him, it was slightly ajar which made it easier and quieter for anyone to walk into the ward. 

"You are?" Francesca finally spoke, even though it was obvious who the person before her clearly was.

"A...a nurse. I work here," the young woman stammered, forcing out a smile.

"This isn't the ward I intended to come," she said, looking around nervously like she was searching for something. 

"I'll just go now," she added, turning to leave but Francesca's words halted her in place. 

"Stop right there." Francesca commanded and the nurse paused in her steps, her face draining of colours in panic.

Francesca walked over to her, her hands crossed with a callous look on her face. "Whatever you saw and heard, you'll die if it gets known to someone else," she threatened.

The nurse's eyes widened in horror at the threat issued at her. She swallowed hard, her body trembling. "I...I d...d...don't know what you're talking about, madam," she stuttered.

Francesca's eyes trailed down the nurse's figure until it landed on her ID card. "Jenna Hilbert," she called. 

"Nice name," she added with a smirk. "I'll make sure to remember it."

"Clearly understood, madam." The nurse quickly responded, fear sipping into her voice.

"I like this cooperation,"Francesca smiled. "While we're at this, can you finish the job for me?" She demanded.

"What job?" The nurse asked, confused.

"That job," Francesca answered, pointing at Aria who was lying unconscious in bed. 

Jenna's eyes followed Francesca's pointed finger to Aria's bedside. A shiver ran down her spine as she realized what Francesca was implying. "I...I don't think I can do that, madam," Jenna stammered, trying to hide her fear.

Francesca's smile grew wider, but her eyes turned icy cold. "Oh, I think you can," she said, her voice dripping with menace. "You see, Jenna, I've taken a liking to you. You're...cooperative. And I appreciate that."

Jenna's mind was racing. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't harm Aria, but she couldn't defy Francesca either. Not without risking her own life.

"What do you want me to do?" Jenna asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Francesca's smile returned, and she leaned in close to Jenna. "I want you to make sure Aria doesn't wake up," she whispered. "Can you do that for me, Jenna?"

Jenna hesitated, her eyes darting to Aria's motionless body. She knew she was taking a risk, but she didn't see any other option. "Y-yes, madam," she stammered.

Francesca's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Good girl," she said, patting Jenna's hand. "I'll make sure you're rewarded for your...loyalty."

Jenna took a deep breath, as she took a step forward to accomplish the task but the sudden burst in interrupted her. A doctor and another nurse rushed in, their expressions anxious. 

The doctor drew in a sharp breath of relief upon seeing Jenna. "You're even here," he panted. "What took you so long to come back with the report? I thought something had happened when you took so long."

The doctor alongside the nurse strided towards Aria and the moment their eyes fell on Aria's figure, they panicked.

"Jenna, are you crazy?!!" The doctor yelled as he rushed to Aria. "You're here in the midst of this chaos doing nothing?! Who took down her oxygen mask and who tampered with the IV?!"

Jenna's eyes widened in terror as the doctor and nurse rushed to Aria's side. She tried to compose herself, but her voice trembled. "I...I just stepped out for a minute. I didn't touch anything, I swear!"

The doctor's face turned red with anger. "You're supposed to be monitoring her, not standing around! Get the crash cart, now!"

The nurse rushed out, and the doctor began frantically checking Aria's vitals. Francesca's eyes narrowed, her smile still plastered on her face. She moved closer to Jenna, her voice low and menacing. "You'd better be careful, Jenna. You're in this deeper than you think."

Jenna's eyes darted to Francesca, then back to the doctor, who was working to stabilize Aria. She knew she had to tread carefully. "I'll...I'll get the crash cart," she stammered, rushing out of the room.

Jenna's heart racing, she grabbed the crash cart and rushed back to the room. The doctor was still working on Aria, and the nurse was trying to assist. Jenna joined in, her hands shaking as she helped with the emergency procedures.

As they worked to save Aria's life, Jenna couldn't shake off the feeling that she was trapped in a nightmare. She knew Francesca was a force to be reckoned with, and she had just become entangled in her web. The question was, how would she survive this?

The doctor's angry voice cut through her thoughts. "Jenna, get the defibrillator ready! Now!"

Jenna's hands moved swiftly as she prepared the defibrator, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't believe she was being forced to do this. The doctor's voice was firm, but laced with panic. "We need to get her heart rate back up, now!"

The nurse was trying to administer medication, but Jenna's eyes were fixed on Aria's face. She looked so pale, so still. Jenna felt a pang of guilt and regret. She didn't want to be the one to harm Aria, but she was trapped.

The defibrillator was ready, and the doctor nodded to the nurse. "Clear!" The nurse stepped back, and the doctor delivered a shock to Aria's body. Jenna watched in horror as Aria's body jolted, but her heart rate didn't change.

The doctor's face was set in determination. "Let's try again." Jenna's hands were shaking as she helped the doctor prepare the defibrillator for another shock. She felt like she was living in a nightmare, and she didn't know how to wake up.

As the doctor delivered another shock, Jenna's eyes met Francesca's. For a moment, they just stared at each other. Jenna knew she had to keep up the act, but a part of her wanted to defy Francesca and save Aria.

The doctor's voice cut through the tension. "We're getting a pulse! Let's keep working!"

Jenna breathed a sigh of relief, but it was short-lived. Francesca's eyes never left hers, and Jenna knew she was far from safe. The game was far from over.

To worsen the whole situation, the door opened, and the person they all dread walked in.