Chapter 41 Second Chance At Life

Chapter 41 Second Chance At Life

James’s P.O.V.

I'm standing outside the operating room, distraught, as Selena is fighting for her life inside. I thought I had saved her today, but I never expected this. Now, all I can do is wait for the doctor to come out and tell me she’s okay—that she survived. I’m constantly praying for her life. 

She took that bullet for her father, the same man who never wanted her, and now I see the guilt in Denver and his wife’s eyes. They finally realise after her sacrifice how much she loved them and how little they valued her. 

They fucking deserve that guilt. But what happened to Selena, she didn’t deserve it. If something happens to her, I don't know what I'll do. God, please make her okay. You can't take away the only person who brings light to my life, not like this. I can’t live in a world where she doesn’t exist.

I'm pacing restlessly outside her room, and my heart races with panic. She keeps flashing in my mind—her body covered in blood, her eyes closing as she lay on my lap.

Fuck! God, please save her! Please!

I know she’s strong. She can fight this too.

I look down at myself—my white shirt is soaked in her blood. God, she’s lost so much blood.

I feel so numb as I pace back and forth across the corridors restlessly, praying for her.

Just give her back to me, God. Because without her, I’m nothing.

Memories of the beautiful moments I shared with her keep replaying in my mind—how I danced with her in the rain, how we explored Paris together, and how she used to smile at me. 

I’m yearning to make more beautiful memories with her. I want to have a family with her. Please, you have to come back, Selena. You can’t leave me like this. 



"She's out of danger now." 

After an hour of constant anxiety, the doctor finally steps out of the operating room and updates us on her condition. I feel as though I can breathe again.

Thank you, God, for giving her back to me.

I’m so relieved, so happy. I swear I will never let her go again, no matter what. Even if she tries to run, I will hold on to her. My life is incomplete without her, and now that God has given me a second chance, I won’t waste it.

I need to see her, to make sure she’s really okay.

But then I remember what I said—right in front of Denver when Selena got shot. At that time, he didn’t react. Maybe he was too overwhelmed to notice. I wanted him to hear me, to understand what Selena means to me. If he had been paying attention, he would have said something. I’m just hoping for the best.

Denver and his wife step into Selena’s room to see her first. I should wait, but I can’t. I need to see her. 

Ignoring everything else, I walk inside.

She lies unconscious on the hospital bed, surrounded by machines, wires attached to her body, and an oxygen mask covering her face. My heart shatters at the sight of her like this. Tears well up in my eyes and trickle down my cheeks. 

I want to touch her, to feel her breath against me, to reassure myself that she’s alive. But I can’t—not in front of Denver. So I stand at a distance, just watching her.

Soon. Soon, I will touch her, hold her, and feel her warmth again.

In my mind, I’m constantly thanking God for giving her back to me. 

I want to tell Denver everything about Selena and me, but I can’t until she fully accepts me. It’s her choice. But this time, I won’t let her walk away so easily.

She will be mine forever. 

She will be my future wife.

She will be the mother of my children.

And nothing in this world will take her away from me again, not even she herself. 



Selena’s P.O.V.

As I slowly open my eyes, I feel immense pain in my stomach. Everything feels heavy. The bright light above makes me squint as I struggle to adjust my vision. I can hear the faint beeping of machines and the hum of voices around me.

Where am I?

The hospital.

I try to shift, but I feel unbearable pain in my body. The gunshot. The searing agony. The way my body collapsed.

But above all, I remember him.

James. My James.

I can still feel his arms around me, the way he holds me against his chest, his body trembling as he cries. His voice breaks as he begs me to hold on. I will never forget the fear in his eyes—the fear of losing me. He looks... shattered. But more than anything, I saw love in his eyes for me—so much love.

I wanted to reach out, to touch his face, to tell him I was still here, still breathing. But before I could, everything faded into darkness, and the last thing I heard was him screaming my name.

But where is he now?

I move my eyes to the side, searching for him, but instead, I see my parents.

My dad and mom sitting beside me.

Mom’s eyes are moist, and Dad’s eyes are filled with something I’ve never seen before—guilt. In all these years, I have never seen him look at me like this, with actual emotion.

“Selena…” His voice shivers as he moves closer, and his hands tremble when he takes mine. His grip tightens as if he’s afraid to let go. 

I stare at him, feeling pain and happiness both. In all these years, I have never felt his touch, never believed he cared. But today, it feels different. My heart is melting with something I can’t name.

“I... I’m so sorry,” he apologises, his eyes well up with tears fixed on me. My strong, unbreakable father is crying in front of me. Crying for me. It’s unbelievable. “I’m so sorry, Selena. For everything. For never being there for you. For not valuing you… for not being the father you deserved.”

My throat tightens, rendering me speechless. A single tear escapes and rolls down my cheek. I never expected to hear those words from him. I never thought he cared enough to even realise how much his absence had hurt me.

“You… you saved my life,” he continues, his voice shaking. “You took that bullet for me without a second thought… after everything… after all I did… or rather, didn’t do. You still… protected me.” His head bows, his shoulders trembling. “I don’t deserve your love, Selena. But thank you… thank you for giving it anyway.”

My heart aches at his words. 

This is everything I have longed to hear but never thought I would. A sob escapes my lips as I squeeze his hand weakly. “You’re my dad... how could I not?”

He just stares at me in disbelief. Mom is crying beside him, covering her mouth with her hands.

Dad bends down, resting his forehead against our joined hands. “I promise… I promise to make things right. I’ll be the father you always needed… the one you deserve.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

I have waited my entire life for this moment—for his love.

My chest feels heavy with emotions, but for the first time, it’s not from pain. It’s from happiness.

I would endure any amount of suffering if it meant getting my father’s love— the love I craved since childhood. 

“And I’m also sorry, Selena.” I hear my mother’s shaky voice, filled with regret. Tears stream down her face. “I always let you down. I never gave you the love you truly deserved. But when you were fighting for your life, I finally realised how much you mean to me. I just hope that one day… you can forgive your mother.”

She sobs as she places her hand on my face. More tears fall from my eyes.

I got my parents. With my life, God gave me the most precious thing to me. It feels like I’m in heaven. I feel so blessed and happy. Thank you so much, God. 

This is the best day of my life.

I want to hug them, to tell them how happy I am.

“Mom… all I've ever wanted is your love. I just wanted you to understand me. Nothing else. And you’re my mother… I was never mad at you.” A shaky breath escapes me. “I forgive you.”

Dad presses a soft kiss on my hand. “From now on, we will fill your life with love, Selena. I promise.”

I smile, watching them. But then, I remember him.

James.

Where is he?

I glance around the room, and there he is.

Sitting on the sofa, staring at me with tear-filled eyes and a painful smile on his lips.

He’s smiling because I got my parents back. He’s happy for me. I know he is.

And I want to share my happiness with him. I want to run into his arms, hold him, and feel his warmth.

But I can’t.

Not in front of my parents.

What if they find out?

What if I lose them again?

No.

I force myself to look away from James, turning back to my parents. But an emptiness settles inside me.

Without him… I feel incomplete.

I need him.

I want to touch him.

Feel him.

God! I love this man so much.

I can’t even breathe properly without his touch.

I am addicted to his love, his warmth, his presence.

And right now, all I want to do is run into his arms and never let go. I've been given a second chance at life, and I won't let it go to waste this time. I won’t push James away from me anymore. If my parents truly love me, they’ll accept me and let me do what truly makes me happy.