Chapter 49

As Emma plummeted, a man leaped from the helicopter, catching her in a strong embrace. A familiar voice whispered, "Emma, I want you to live!"

She tried to look up, but he held her close. She couldn't see his face, but his presence was unmistakable. Could it be Liam? A "Bang!" rang out. A bullet whizzed past her ear. The man holding her grunted; the faint scent of blood filled the air. She realized the horrifying truth—Liam had taken a bullet for her.

When Emma opened her eyes, she was in a hospital. "Are you feeling alright? Is your vision clear? Any pain?" A man in a white coat, bathed in sunlight, asked.

"You are…" Emma began.

"You can call me Dr. Duncan. I'm your attending physician," he replied, smiling reassuringly.

Memories of Elijah's betrayal made her cautious. "Which hospital is this? What happened at the concert? Who saved me yesterday?" Her questions were sharp, reflecting her anxiety.

Dr. Duncan chuckled. "You're quite interesting. Most patients first ask about their own condition. Were you a detective?"

Emma's gaze remained steady, awaiting answers.

"You're in Troln Hospital, the best in the city," Aaron explained, showing his ID. "The explosion didn't happen, and your quick actions are being praised nationwide. You're quite the hero!"

Emma felt uneasy. "And where's the person who saved me in the helicopter?"

"I'm not sure," Aaron admitted. "You were brought here by ambulance. For information before that, you'll need to check with the police."

Disappointment flickered across Emma's face, mirrored by an unexpected pang in Aaron's heart. "Besides the police, was anyone else involved in saving you last night?" he asked.

Emma murmured, "I'm not sure. Maybe I imagined it." She thought it might have been Liam, but she couldn't be certain.

Suddenly, she remembered something crucial: if Liam had been shot, a shoulder wound would confirm it. Eager to call him, she reached for her phone, finding it dead.

"Your phone's battery is drained," Aaron said gently. "You can use your uncle's phone once he's finished with the paperwork."

"My uncle's here too?" Emma asked, surprised.

"Yes," Aaron replied, smiling. "He's been by your side for over twenty-four hours, making every nurse quite jealous."

Emma smiled wryly. It was unusual for a celebrity like Sean to remain at a hospital that long.

"Did anyone else come to see me?" she asked, hopefully.

Aaron shook his head. "No, just him." He noticed her disappointment. Despite his professional detachment, he found himself concerned about her vulnerability. He saw her as a little girl, perhaps because Sean had mentioned their relationship.

Even asleep, Emma was stunning. Aaron, usually unfazed by affluent families, found himself drawn to her. He gently smoothed her hair. "Have a rest," he advised softly. "You have your uncle, so don't worry too much, okay?"

Emma's situation seemed unusual. Only her uncle had come to the hospital after such a major incident. Her parents and friends were nowhere to be seen. Aaron wondered if she was waiting for someone special—a thought that intrigued him.

Lost in thought, Aaron was unaware that the door had opened. A man in a wheelchair witnessed his tender gesture.

Liam's expression darkened seeing Aaron touch Emma, and Emma smiling back.

"Thank you, Dr. Duncan. You've really shown me there are still good doctors," Emma said sincerely.

Liam's mood soured; the pain in his hastily-treated shoulder intensified. He'd endured agony, driven by concern for Emma, only to find her seemingly flirting.

Unaware of Liam, Aaron continued, "Most doctors mean well. Have you ever had a bad experience with one?"

"Sort of," Emma replied vaguely.

Aaron chuckled. "You seem wise beyond your years. I'm glad to have played a part in your story today. Just remember to take care of yourself."

Emma nodded. A noise at the door caught her attention. "What was that?"

Aaron looked, seeing nothing. "Probably a patient dropping something. I'll check on my other patients. You should stay and wait for your family."

"Okay," Emma nodded.

Once Aaron left, Emma cautiously got out of bed and approached the door. A beautifully wrapped paper bag, warm and fragrant, lay on the floor, bearing her favorite restaurant's logo.

"It has to be from Liam!" Excited, Emma scooped up the bag and hurried into the hallway. At the corridor's end, she saw two bodyguards; one held the elevator door open for a man in a wheelchair.

"Liam!" Emma called out.