Chapter 90 Nova is in danger
DASHIELL
I was running late, my mind preoccupied with the grand opening of our company's new venue, when I decided to call my wife. Though she told me she wouldn't be available for it, I was hoping she would change her mind after getting what she requested.
"Dashiell. I will -"
I heard a loud noise, followed by a thud. A faint rustling sound replaced Nova's voice.
"Nova! Nova, answer me!" I screamed into the phone, my heart racing with panic. The line was still open, but there was only silence. It paralysed me with fear.
Suddenly, a faint whisper came through the phone. "Dash... El..."
My heart shattered into a million pieces. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair as I whispered back, "Nova, I'm here... I'm here. What the hell is going on?" But there was no response. The silence was deafening.
I felt tears streaming down my face as I screamed her name again and again, but only silence replied. My world appeared like it was crumbling around me, and I was powerless to stop it.
I waited for what felt like an eternity, my heart heavy with dread. And then, just as I thought I couldn't take it anymore, the line went dead.
I stared at my phone in horror, my mind reeling with worst-case scenarios. I tried calling her back, but it went straight to voicemail. I was left with only one thought: I had to find Nova. Now. Somehow, I knew she was in danger. The fear in her voice as she whispered my name sent me into panic.
Without a moment of hesitation, to think, I sprinted away from the venue, my heart racing with fear, my mind consumed by worst-case scenarios. "Nova! Nova. Please pick up!" I yelled into the phone, my voice hoarse from screaming, my eyes scanning the crowded streets for any sign of her. I was like a madman running away from a psychiatrist. I wasn't concerned about my image or how I looked. All that mattered at the moment was my darling Nova.
People around me stopped and stared, confusion etched on their faces. Some tried to approach me, but I brushed them off. The press tried to follow me, but my bouncers blocked them, shielding me from the chaos. Having them at the moment was like a godsend. Only God knew how I would have barked at those reporters had they persisted. I would undoubtedly make the headline tomorrow because of it.
My secretary rushed after me, worry etched on her face. "Sir, what's going on? Do you need me to delay your speech?" she asked, her tone laced with concern. "Are you alright? What happened? Why do you look so winded? Is everything alright?"
I grabbed her arm, my eyes wild with fear, my grip tightening. "It's Nova...she's in danger. I have to find her. I need to get to her," I choked out, my voice cracking. I didn't care that I was gripping hard or I sounded erratic. None of that mattered at the moment.
Her eyes widened in horror. "Jesus Christ! Do you want me to put the celebration on hold until you return?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
I nodded my mind racing, my thoughts consumed by Nova's safety. "Yes, please. Just put everything on hold. Tell them...tell them something came up. I will return to this after I locate my wife," I said, releasing her arm from my death grip, and stepping back as I tried not to lose it.
She nodded and rushed back into the venue, her voice calling out behind her. "I'll take care of everything, Sir James. Please find her. Please bring her back.
Nodding at her words, I turned to my car and tried to get in, my hands shaking as I fumbled for the keys. But then I heard screams coming from my right. Without thinking, I rushed towards the sound, my heart sinking. Somehow, I knew I was going to meet something dreadful. I could feel it right in my bones.
And then I saw her. Nova. My wife. Lying in a pool of her blood, her body limp and lifeless, with a little crowd standing next to her, peering pitifully at her.
Closing the distance between us in a few seconds, I knelt beside her, screaming out in anguish as tears streamed down my face. "No, no, no! Nova, please!" I pleaded, my voice breaking, my world crumbling around me as I stared at the red stain on her gown. "Don't do this to me. Please open your eyes. Please!" I begged, hugging her as tears kept streaming down my cheeks. "I need you to be okay! I can't -"
Someone yelled behind me, "I've called an ambulance!" but I barely registered the words as a bystander approached me, his voice shaking. "Sir, the bullet... it's in her chest....right in her heart. Please don't shift her much until the ambulance arrives, so you don't offset the injury. We need to be careful, or else you might lose her."
My world shattered into a million pieces when I heard that, the initial fear I felt returning with a vengeance as I shook my head. "No, no, no...this can't be happening," I muttered, rocking back and forth, my eyes fixed on her pale face. I felt like I was drowning in despair, unable to breathe, powerless to think. All I could do was hold her hand and pray for a miracle.
"Please, Nova, don't leave me," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I need you. I love you." I placed a kiss on her wrist, feeling my tears staining her gown.
The sound of sirens grew louder, but I didn't care. All I cared about was the woman lying in front of me, fighting for her life. She was barely conscious, and that scared me more than anything else had ever done. As I grasped her hand, I could hear murmurs from those around me as they stood waiting for the ambulance while casting pitiful glances at me.
The ambulance screeched to a halt beside us, and 4 paramedics rushed out to attend to Nova. They reached out to her while asking me to step back, but I clasped her hand, unwilling to let go. "Sir, we need to take her to the hospital," the paramedic said gently. "If you keep holding on to her, we won't be able to do anything. Please understand, okay?"
I stared at her for a few seconds before I nodded, still grasping her hand. "I'm coming with her," I insisted. "I'm her husband. I need to be with her."
The nurses exchanged a glance but didn't argue. They carefully lifted Nova onto the stretcher before carrying her into the car. With Nova securely kept in the car, I crawled in beside her, holding her hand as they secured the stretcher.