<h4>Chapter 312: Chapter 312 Surgery</h4>


    ‘Your birthday,st four digits,’ he managed.


    Hearing that made my throat tighten. He’d used my birthday as the code.


    The call connected and Harry answered on the first ring. ‘Boss?’


    ‘It’s me, Mirabelle. Ashton’s been shot. He’s bleeding badly. Get the hospital ready for surgery, now! We’re on our way.’


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    ‘I’ve got it,’ Harry replied instantly.


    ‘Kit, can you go any faster?’ I yelled.


    ‘I’m trying,’ Kit called back, hands white on the wheel.


    We reached the hospital in what felt like the blink of an eye. Harry was already waiting at the entrance, and a team of doctors and nurses stood ready inside.


    They rushed Ashton into the operating theatre. I paced outside the door, a tight ball of nerves.


    ‘Mrs Laurent, would you like to sit down?’ Harry asked, hovering at my side. ‘The operation will take a while.’


    I shook my head. ‘I can’t sit.’


    If I did, everything that had happened in thest hour would catch up with me and I’d either scream or cry or faint.


    ‘If you copse, who will look after the boss? He’ll be worried if you’re down,’ Harry tried again. ‘I’ve got four bodyguards posted here and staff outside, it’s safe.’


    He was right, but that did nothing to calm me.


    We waited, and waited. Atst, the theatre light went out and a surgeon came through the door. I rushed forward and gripped him. ‘Doctor, how is he? How is he?’


    ‘Mr Laurent is going to be all right. We removed the bullet and the bleeding has stopped. He’s through the critical period. He’s fit and strong, and with proper rest, he should recover quickly.’


    ‘Really? He’s really all right?’ I pressed, refusing to let him go. ‘Doctor, he will be all right, won’t he?’


    The surgeon smiled behind his mask. ‘Essentially, yes. You can be reassured.’


    Relief unclenched me like a physical thing. I drew a huge, trembling breath and felt my knees go weak. I almost copsed.


    A nurse caught me at once. ‘Are you all right?’


    ‘I’m fine, just a bit tired,’ I lied with an embarrassed halfugh.


    ‘Mrs Laurent, you should have a quick check-up. Boss will want to know you’re all right,’ Harry urged.


    ‘I’m fine,’ I protested. I genuinely felt fine, or I wanted to feel fine.


    ‘No, please,’ Harry said more firmly. ‘Do a simple check now. If Mr Laurent wakes up and finds you like this, he’ll insist on a full examination and it will be more troubleter.’


    He had a point, so I nodded. ‘Okay. All right. Doc, could you arrange a quick check-up? I’m sure I’ll be fine.’


    The nurse led me away. The doctors found nothing wrong beyond shock. Rest and sleep, they said, and I’d be fine.


    After the check, I insisted on staying with Ashton even though he was still under the effects of anaesthesia. I did not leave his bedside, not for a second. I watched him without blinking, as if one moment away would be the moment he vanished.


    Barely two months out, he was once again back in the hospital. It was fast bing one of my least favourite ces on earth.


    By then, there were already several bodyguards posted outside his room. At some point, the police arrived and spoke to Kit first.


    ‘Sorry, I held them off as long as I could,’ Harry said to me when the officers came inside.


    ‘That’s fine,’ I said, refusing to leave Ashton’s side.


    If the police wanted to question me, they could do it here. There was nothing more I could add to Kit’s ount anyway.


    The officers told us they had found the Camry, but the tes had been stolen and they had yet to trace the car’s origin.


    ‘Thank you for your cooperation, Mrs Laurent,’ the lead officer said politely as he closed his tablet.


    ‘Shall I see them out?’ Harry offered.


    I turned and saw Ashton blinking awake. ‘How are you feeling?’ I asked, rushing to him.


    He reached for my hand and gripped it lightly, his voice rough and lips dry. ‘You cried. Your eyes are red.’


    ‘Yeah. I would be superhuman if I didn’t cry a bit after being shot at. I was terrified,’ I admitted.


    I am not usually a crier, but seeing Ashton covered in blood had terrified me. Tears came whether I wanted them to or not.


    Ashton sighed and pulled me close, holding me and patting my back as if tofort me. ‘You wouldn’t have been involved in this if not for me,’ he murmured, sounding guilty. ‘I put you in danger.’


    ‘No, you don’t know that,’ I said firmly. ‘The police haven’t figured out who’s behind this yet.’


    ‘I’ve failed to protect you.’


    ‘No. You did fine. I’m upset because you were hurt. Promise me you’ll be careful from now on, please?’ I clung to him, my voice breaking.


    ‘I promise,’ he said, stroking my hair, his voice hoarse but tender.


    I let go and looked at the bandage around his abdomen, which was still seeping a little. I touched a trembling hand to the dressing. ‘It must hurt.’


    ‘Not at all,’ he lied, taking my hand and gripping it hard. ‘Not at all.’


    ‘This should have been me.’


    ‘I’d rather it be me,’ he said it with conviction.


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