Chapter 91 When The Gun Fell Silent
"Fine. I guess this is really the end" Wilson said, realizing the gravity of the situation. He slowly lowered the gun, a defeated look on his face.
"On your knees and put your hands where I can see them" One of the officers declared. Wilson did as instructed and was handcuffed. Aniya, standing beside him, was also apprehended by the police officers.
Another police officer rushed to Wills on the floor. While the other officer checked the kidnapper. They both checked their heartbeats.
"Unconscious but breathing" the officer with the kidnapper called out. They both waited for the officer with Wills to respond but he shook his head.
"He is not breathing," he said softly." The paramedics also rushed in and they confirmed he was dead.
With sorrow, the senior officer said, "Call it in"
"Allowing the tears to flow down his cheeks, the junior police officer said to his radio, "this is officer Grey. We have a situation. An officer is down, not conscious, not breathing."
Hearing that, Amanda who had been calm and was being attended to by the paramedics sprung up. "That is not possible. He is still breathing. He can't be dead." She exclaimed, overtaken by restlessness.
"Amanda" Rowan grabbed her immediately. "Come here," he said, pulling her closer.
Amanda wailed and the louder she cried, the tighter Rowan held her. The weight of the loss hit her, and grief enveloped her.
"It's alright. It alright" Rowan kept saying, trying to console her but was struggling with the heaviness of the situation himself.
Rowan was carried away by his grief that it took him minutes before he realized that Amanda had passed out. "Amanda! Amanda!" Rowan called out, yelling. "Help!"
The paramedics ran to her aid. Attending to her, they quickly realized the severity of her condition. The ordeal had taken a toll on her both physically and emotionally. They worked urgently to stabilize her, preparing to transport her to the hospital for further treatment.
Rowan joined in the ambulance holding Amanda's hand while one of his men drove his car after the ambulance.
"Secure the scene. We need to preserve everything for the forensic team. Notify the coroner, and make sure we have all the statements." The senior officer said.
At the hospital, Rowan paced the waiting room, waiting for the doctor attending to Amanda. When the doctor came out, he rushed to her immediately.
"How is she?" He asked hurriedly.
"We have managed to stabilize her. The last few hours have been hell. Amanda had been through significant stress and physical trauma. We are doing our best, the next few hours are going to be critical." The doctor said with respect.
"Thank you. Can I see her now?" Rowan asked.
Not yet. The nurse should be done with her in a few minutes then you can go in." The doctor responded before walking away.
Just then, Jack and Johnny rushed in. "Hey man, how is it going? " Johnny asked.
"How is she?" Jack added. They both focused their gazes on Rowan waiting for him to respond. Rowan, struggling to hold back his emotions, finally broke down. Ever since the incident at the playhouse, he had been strong but he could not hide his emotions anymore seeing his confidants.
"Come on man, you are stronger than this" Jack said, moving closer to him.
"Just tell me Amanda is going to be okay, please"Johnny asked in fear. Rowan nodded and relief surged through him.
"We are in the public. Let's get you outta here first" Johnny said, dragging both Rowan and Jack.
In the car, they were quiet for a while, absorbing the harsh reality. "Wills is gone, guys. He didn't make it." Rowan mumbled, still fighting his tears.
"Yeah. We heard. The news is flying everywhere." Johnny answered.
"And Wilson is going to jail. There is no escape from that." Jack added.
"How is mom coping with that?" Rowan asked.
Jack sighed. "To be honest, not well. That should be the lowest I have seen her. But I think she is more concerned about you. She has left you so many calls, you think if she knows where you are, she won't be here by now?
"Man, she needs you this time around. You should be with your parents. You are all they have got" Johnny added.
"Amanda needs me more," Rowan snapped softly.
"Rowan, this is not the time to let love get in your head…" Jack started but couldn't finish. Rowan snapped, interrupting him.
"It is not about love. I was right from the start of everything."
"What are you talking about?" Jack asked, although he seemed uninterested.
Rowan adjusted his posture, "you remember the girl I met at the hotel? The one I had my way with?"
"Mabel?" They both chorused.
"It wasn't Mabel." Rowan yelled. "It was Amanda." Jack and Johnny shared confused looks. "I was right then. I said it. I told you it was Amanda but you said I was crazy."
"I think you should have some rest." Johnny said, dismissing his exclamation.
"I am telling the truth guys. I am not crazy." Rowan protested. "At the playhouse today, Amanda narrated how she got pregnant and it was exactly what happened that night."
Jack and Johnny became serious, realizing Rowan knew what he was talking about. Rowan continued.
"She even mentioned the watch I left her and how Mabel stole it from her. And I remember she once asked me where I got the watch from when she saw it in my house."
"Slow down," Jack said, trying to put the pieces together. "If I understand you perfectly, you are the father of Amanda's kids?"
"Exactly!" Rowan exclaimed.
"The quadruplets? Johnny asked. " No way."
"Shit just got real, man" Jack said. "What are you going to do?"
"Is she aware that you were the guy from that night?" Johnny added to the question.
"No…I have not had the opportunity to come out clean." Rowan answered.
"Then you should hold on with that. Give it time. Let the whole situation die down." Johnny.
"I agree with Johnny. Amanda will not hesitate to have your head at the moment." Jack said.
"I just hope she will forgive me honestly. To think that I broke up with her because of those kids? I was stupid. I should not have listened to Wilson. Everything he said were lies. I should have listened to her side of the story. She's been through hell because of me. Now the doctor says the next few hours are critical for her."
Jack put a supportive hand on Rowan's shoulder, offering silent comfort.
"Don't beat yourself up about it." Johnny tried to comfort him. "You didn't leave her because of the kids or what Wilson said, you did because she did to you. She kept these secrets from you."
The nurse finally signaled Rowan to enter Amanda's room. "You can come in now sir. She is still unconscious but stable now"
They were just going in when they heard noises from the reception that called their attention.