Chapter 32: Don't Let Her Know It Was Me

Bella's vision blacked out as she lost consciousness. Warm blood trickled from her wound, her strength ebbing away until she was helpless. Through her blurry vision, she saw a man straddling her, fumbling with his belt. The acrid stench of his sweat filled her nostrils. She thought it better to die. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out, startling birds from the trees. The sound echoed through the open space.

The man fell to the ground.

In her daze, Bella saw Dominic standing there, bathed in sunlight, almost like an illusion. She wanted to reach out, but her body remained unresponsive.

"Am I dying?" she wondered. "Is that why I'm hallucinating, seeing him before I die?"

It was said that people see their loved ones in their final moments. Even after over a month apart, she hadn't forgotten him. She clung desperately to his image, even in death. This was enough.

With a faint smile, Bella lost consciousness.

She didn't know how long had passed when she slowly awoke. The sharp scent of disinfectant filled the air—the unmistakable smell of a hospital. Staring at the white ceiling and the IV drip, she felt confused, her head heavy and foggy. "I didn't die? Did someone save me?"

She recalled the "hallucination" of Dominic just before she passed out. It couldn't have been him… could it?

Her breath hitched as she saw a figure by the window. Ignoring her wounds, she slowly turned her head. Her pupils dilated; her eyes stung with unshed tears. Was this another hallucination?

The man, his back to her, looked so familiar. How could she mistake him?

She remembered the gunshot and felt a pang of anxiety. "Was what I saw and heard real? Or just a figment of my imagination?"

"Domin…" she tried to call out, but her throat was too dry.

The door swung open, and Leonard burst in. "Whoa… you've got some strong will to live, waking up so soon."

The man by the window quickly turned, glanced at Bella, then pressed the nurse call button before pulling Leonard into the hallway.

"How could this happen?" he asked.

Leonard protested, "People make mistakes! Who knew she'd go to Dorothy's grave alone? That place is remote; hardly anyone goes there. I didn't get there in time, but you did, right?"

Dominic's brow furrowed. "Take care of that scum."

Leonard lowered his voice, "I figured you were too stressed to aim properly. If you hadn't missed, I wouldn't have had to finish the job. Even if it didn't kill him, it would have crippled him."

Dominic glared. "Don't let her know it was me."

Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of the nurse and doctor.

After examining Bella, the doctor said, "You can be discharged in two days. Avoid strenuous activity for the next three months, and don't overexert yourself. Proper rest will prevent complications. Any head injury could have lifelong consequences…" Although Bella was a doctor, she had no choice but to obey.

Leonard returned after the nurse and doctor left.

Bella instinctively glanced toward the door. Leonard explained, "Dominic had something to take care of, so he left. I'll stay here with you. How are you feeling now?"

Bella's eyes locked on his. "You and Dominic knew each other all along?"

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