Chapter Three

I sat outside the hospital ward, overwhelmed and confused. I couldn't seem to understand the whole incident that had just happened.

My limbs were shaking with fear, and the doctors were yet to tell me anything about whether he was dead or still alive.

As I buried my head in my palms, lost in thoughts, I heard the door to the ward squeak open.

I lifted my face up to see a female doctor step out. I dashed to her in anticipation.

"How is he? Can I see him now?" I requested simultaneously.

"Mrs. Coleman," she addressed rather calmly.

"Your husband is in a really bad condition, but we'll do all we can," she assured me, patting me on the shoulder.

"Also, you can't go in now until the cops arrive," she concluded and made to leave.

"The cops? Why? What happened to him?" I stuttered cluelessly.

"Well, he was shot; that's all I know," she waved, walking out of the building.

Shot? I was terrified. I had seen the blood on his arm, but I never suspected it to be a gunshot.

Everything seemed so unreal to me. Though I didn't love Donald, I never wished evil for him. And I never thought anyone would be after his life.

The cops eventually came, two officers led by a female detective. They walked quite past me and went straight into the ward where Donald was.

I wanted to call Ronin, but I remembered I had left my phone at home in my haste.

The cops emerged from the ward and walked towards me.

"You are Cecilia, Donald's wife, right?" The detective inquired

"Yes, ma," I responded, nodding my head.

"Alright, would you like to tell us what really happened to your husband?"

The question was followed by a hard stare.

I couldn't understand why she stared at me like that, but I told her all I knew.

She paced around for some time, steepling her fingers as if trying to digest what I'd just said.

"You drove him here, right?"

I nodded in affirmation.

"But you didn't notice the bullet wound on his shoulder?"

I felt like the detective was driving somewhere, but I answered anyway.

"Yes, I saw the wound, but I was too terrified to uncover it," I explained.

She stopped pacing and gave me another grave stare. She cleared her throat.

"How possibly can a left-handed man drive safely home after being shot in the left shoulder?" She paused, removed a pen from her pocket, and wrote something down on a notebook she collected from the other cop.

For instance, I tried to forget about her question; I don't think it was meant for me anyway; maybe he was shot after parking; who knows?

"Mrs. Cecilia Coleman." I found it quite upsetting that she called my full name.

"You don't love Donald, do you?" I was starting to understand what she was driving at now.

"What do you mean?" I frowned, getting infuriated at her attitude.

She eyed me suspiciously for some time, sighed heavily, then continued.

"I'm sure you're aware you are entitled to all of Donald's properties."

I couldn't contain my rage; I knew exactly where she was heading.

"So what are you implying?" I flared up. "That I tried to kill him and claim his properties?"

"I didn't say that, though," she asserted firmly, and she handed me her card.

"In case you want to talk," she babbled as she strolled out. Leaving me red-faced at the ward entrance.

The female doctor returned to the building carrying what seemed to me to be some kind of medication.

"I think someone wants to see you outside," she stated as she trod past.

I hurried out to meet two strange-looking fellows: a thin young lady and an older man in a black suit and dark shades.

"Good day, Mrs. Coleman."

I didn't know what on earth was good about the day, but I replied anyway.

"Good day, please, do I know you?" I requested curiosity.

"I'm Miss Elizabeth, Donald's P.A.," she said, extending an arm for a handshake.

"Oh, and this is Aaron, his personal lawyer," she said, referring to the male fellow.

"Mrs. Coleman," Aaron started, his voice deep and crooked.

"Donald is in a critical condition and, as such, would be unable to carry out his duties in managing his businesses."

"Yes, I know so." I was growing impatient.

"I'm sorry for wasting your time," he said, bringing out a few documents.

"Here, sign these; you'll be in temporary charge of all his businesses until he's well enough," he thrust the documents at me.

"No, I can't; I'm sorry," I objected, pushing the papers back. 

"Ma, you have to," he persuaded me in a more appealing tone than his usual husky one. 

"Will you just sit back and watch all he's built crumble?" He snarled, his face carrying a mean expression.

I ducked my head in shame, pondering over his statement: I will not want Donald's businesses to crumble because of me, but if I accept to take charge, I might as well be doing the same. I didn't even know what was required of me; I was totally inexperienced.

Elizabeth walked up to me and placed her right hand on my shoulder.

"Don't worry, ma, I'll help you through this." She whispered; she must have read my thoughts.

"Ok," I sighed, finally giving in.

Aaron brought forth the papers, and I signed on the lines.

It was not until the next morning that Ronin showed up at the hospital. I was sitting beside Donald, muttering a prayer. I wanted him to make a fast recovery for two major reasons: to save the stress of having to run his business. 

He's been hospitalized for just a few hours, and I couldn't imagine the stress I've been through these few hours. I wondered how he managed to cope with it.

The second reason was to clear myself of the suspicion that I had a hand in it, vying for his properties. I thought he would know who was after his life and probably who shot him. 

Ronin walked into the hospital ward, moving cautiously with his hands in his pocket. I paused my prayer and lifted my teary eyes to look at him. He seemed so unconcerned and relaxed.

"What did you do, Ronin?" I sneered, and my eyes blazed with suspicion."What're you talking about?" He smirked

"I mean this," I said, pointing to Donald's unconscious body.

"Come on, Cecilia, stop acting like you even care," I shrieked in shock at Ronin's response. 

"See, I care about Donald as much as you do, and trust me, I have nothing to do with this." He tried to be defensive. 

I still wasn't convinced. I had every reason to believe he was behind this; he has long vied for Donald's possessions, and despite tending to care, I could see through the blindfold. 

I held Donald's hand in mine, sobbing lightly.A period of silence passed between us until Ronin spoke again. 

"Why do you care so much? I thought you never loved him."

"He's my husband, Ronin, and I have every right to care about him," I barked, my voice breaking.

"Of course he is," Ronin stormed out of the ward, red-faced envy written all over him. 

Just as he left, my phone rang.

"Ma, please come over to the office; it's very important," a strange female voice spoke over the phone, a wave of tension and unease in her voice.