Chapter 145: He Risked His Life to Save Her

Silence descended. Hannah stared at the two wrecked cars, recognizing one instantly. "No," she whispered, "it can't be Oscar. That's his car, but he wouldn't risk his life to save her." Her vision blurred. The cars lay still, eerily silent, as if their occupants were already dead. A sharp pain pierced her heart—a feeling she vowed never to experience again.

She flung open the car door. Jimmy was faster, already hurrying towards the damaged vehicle. He too recognized Oscar's car and immediately began banging on the dented metal. Hannah, battling the inexplicable ache in her chest, slowly approached. Even the streetlights offered little illumination in the night; she couldn't make out the man's face, obscured by the deployed airbag, though she saw considerable bleeding.

Suddenly, another car screeched to a halt. Theodore and Manuel emerged, but Oscar was nowhere in sight. Panic seized Hannah. They reached the wrecked car, finding Jimmy still pounding on the locked door.

"It's locked!" Jimmy announced.

Theodore retrieved a hammer from his car and, without hesitation, shattered the window. Glass rained down as everyone watched nervously. He reached through the jagged opening, unlocking the door from inside. With a heavy thud, the door swung open. Theodore leaned in, pulling a blood-soaked man from the wreckage.

It was Oscar. Blood covered his face. Hannah's heart shattered. Moments before, she had been criticizing his coldness; now, she saw the depth of his sacrifice.

"Mr. Wells!" Jimmy cried, his anxiety evident.

Theodore, remarkably calm, lifted Oscar into his car. Manuel quickly opened the door. Theodore settled behind the wheel, and they sped off.

As their taillights disappeared, Hannah shouted, "Jimmy!"

"Madam, hurry," he urged.

They piled into the car, Jimmy hot on their heels. Oscar was badly hurt; Hannah noticed he wasn't breathing when Theodore pulled him from the car. "No!" she thought fiercely. "He won't die so easily. He outlived me in my last life. His life won't be cut short like that."

They arrived at the hospital. Doctors and nurses awaited at the entrance. As Theodore stopped, a doctor opened the door, and Oscar, receiving oxygen, was swiftly wheeled inside. Theodore and Manuel followed, with Jimmy and Hannah close behind. Oscar was rushed into emergency surgery.

The door closed, separating them. Theodore, his composure gone, paced anxiously. Manuel stood by his side, equally worried. Even Jimmy's usually impassive face betrayed his concern. Hannah, terrified that Oscar's death was her fault, felt a surge of hatred for Charles. Her resentment burned.

"Damn it!" Theodore exploded. "That was suicidal!"

Hannah looked at him.

Manuel tried to soothe him, "He'll be okay."

"But is it worth it, for a woman?" Theodore's voice was raw with anger.

"Theodore…"

"I need a cigarette!" He stormed off.

Hannah met Manuel's gaze, a flicker of guilt in her eyes. She knew Theodore's anger was directed at her.

Manuel approached gently, "Hannah, don't take it personally. He's always been blunt."

"I know, thank you."

She understood. She would feel the same if a friend had been so gravely injured.

Before Manuel could speak again, Jimmy said, "The light's off."

Hannah gasped, breathless with fear. Manuel rushed to the operating room door, followed swiftly by Theodore.

The doctor emerged. All eyes turned to him.

"The patient is out of danger," he announced.

Relief washed over Hannah.

"He's not disabled?" Theodore pressed, anxiously.

"No," the doctor replied. "The patient protected himself well. He sustained multiple fractures and wounds from the impact, but no fatal internal injuries. No skull bleeding. As a precaution, we recommend a few days observation for possible concussion, given the severity of the accident."