Loving Madeline

Hunter's POV

"Divine, Hunter," the doctor said, and my mom and I came to him hastily.

"How are they, doc?" I asked since I could tell my mother was still having a hard time speaking since we had all witnessed what had happened to my father and my wife.

"I am sorry; I did everything I could," the doctor said as he looked at me.

"But your father didn't make it, he lost too much blood, and the bullet badly damaged his heart." He added, and I took my mom in my arms and hugged her as she cried.

"How about my wife? How is she?" I asked, and the doctor weakly smiled at me.

"Good thing your wife survived, and she is now in the ICU; hoping there will be no complications; she will be transferred to her room depending on her recovery process. She was lucky the bullet that hit her didn't severely damage her lungs." The doctor replied, and I let out a sigh of relief as I felt my tears trickle down my face.

"Thank you, doctor, for saving my wife," I said in more than a whisper.

It was the most extended hours in my entire life, and I couldn't wait to see Madeline. I know it will never be easy for my mother to accept my dad's death, even if she was the one who filed the divorce. They had been married for so many years, and I understand she was morning for my father.

We just lost Parker and Rebecca, and now we are going to attend another funeral, and I wondered how I am going to deal with Charlotte. It wouldn't be easy to tell my mother that my sister needed to face the crime she committed.

I don't want to break my mother's heart, but that would be the only way to stop my sister from harming family members to get what she wanted.

I brought back my mother and Lily to Hector's place in Archois City while Calixto and I processed the things needed for my dad so that the hospital would release his body.

"She is now fine, Gina; you better go back to Jack's place; I know you are tired too; you better have some sleep," I said when I found her at the farthest corner of the waiting area of the hospital.

"I want to see her, Hunter; I am sure I couldn't sleep knowing Maddie was hurt; this is all my fault; why I didn't remind her to put on her bulletproof vest, I am sure she got disoriented that she had forgotten the most important thing of our mission, to be safe." Gina declared, and even if I had told her already that Madeline's operation was successful, she was still blaming herself.

"Hey, stop blaming yourself, Gina; I know my wife will not be happy if she finds out you kept blaming yourself," I responded.

"I will call Jack," I said, and she shook her head.

"Please don't; I know why he left; he was pissed that I didn't tell him anything, and I felt guilty," she responded.

"Hey, your boyfriend loves you, and I am sure he will understand why you did it, Gina. Please, let me thank you for everything you have done for my wife. I know she couldn't make it without your help." I stated.

"I know thank you will never be enough to show you how grateful I am for always being there for Madeline from the beginning that she needed someone like you, especially when she lost her mom; I know you were her rock during that time," I added, and she smiled at me.

"You don't need to thank me, Hunter, I am willing to do everything I can for your wife, and that is why I warned you never to hurt her because I will be the one who will feel her pain," she responded, and I felt so thankful that Maddie has a best friend like Gina.

"Hmm," I turned around when I felt someone tap my shoulder, and I grinned when I realized it was Jack.

"I thought you went home; thank you for coming back for Gina, Jack," I said, and he nodded his head.

"No, I only drove my mom and sister to my place, and I came back for my girl." He answered, and I could tell Gina was on cloud nine at the moment; even if she was worried Jack would be angry with her, all I could see on his face was his worried expression.

"I felt relieved that your wife is now out of danger; we will come back tomorrow, Hunter. I am sorry about your dad." Jack responded.

"Please, tell Maddie to get well soon and inform your wife we were worried about her," Jack responded, and I nodded at him.

"Thank you, Jack; now, if you will excuse me, I need to talk with the doctors." I lied since I knew they needed to be alone. I walked away from them without taking a second glance.

I was impatient as I waited for my wife to open her eyes, but I could tell the operation made her sleepy, and I understood her trauma.

I was sitting on a chair watching her beautiful face, and I was holding her hand, and I couldn't stop myself from crying. It took me a while to inform her grandpa what happened since Gina told me the one who helped them said he couldn't tell Hector what happened to Maddie, and I am sure he was blaming himself, just like Gina.

I was one of them, and I blamed myself for Maddie being shot. I could have saved her since she was so near to me, yet she was still hit, and I don't want to relive that moment; I could still hear Hector's regrets, and he was also blaming himself, and I realized many loved my wife so dearly.

Yet the mastermind was still at large, and I didn't want to think about Charlotte since I wanted to devote my time to my wife at the moment.

"Hunter, my love," I heard her sweet voice, and I realized I dozed off on my chair, and when I opened my eyes, I realized I was still in the waiting area. And I was only dreaming of Madeline.

I went to the ICU a while ago, and watching my wife with apparatus attached to her fragile body made me feel sick, and my guilt was eating me up.

I mostly stayed in the hospital while Calixto was busy running the company since my mother could no longer do it because of what happened to our family.

My mother thought it was because of the mining company that my father and sister became so obsessed with the position.

It took one week before Madeline got transferred to her room, and I was excited to stay by her side 24/7.

"Shh, don't talk yet; you need to rest, my love," I said when I heard her calling my name. I held her hand.

Madeline looked tired yet wanted to speak with me, and I put my finger on her lips.

"We will talk when you get out of this place; for now, you need to listen to me, my love. Don't blame yourself for what happened. I want you to know I am so happy that you came to attend my brother's burial, and I am deeply sorry that someone tried to kill you." I declared, and I caressed her head.

I felt delighted that my wife listened to me, but she didn't reply. She only closed her eyes, and I saw tears trickling down her face. I knew she was blaming herself for playing the hero again. I didn't tell her what happened to my dad yet, and I am sure she will feel worse.

"Hey, don't cry, my sweet Madeline," I whispered as I squeezed her palm.

The days that followed became harder for both of us since my wife avoided talking with me, and I understood her; I was with her every day; I would only leave her side once we got visitors since I wanted them to have a moment with my wife.

I was talking with her even if she didn't answer me, and I felt hurt that she spoke with her grandpa and other visitors but not with me.

I felt glad my mom understood that I needed to be with Madeline all the time, and when it was time for my father's funeral, I asked Gina to cover for me.

I left the hospital with a heavy heart, and I was worried that her treatment of me would become worse since she got colder with each passing day as she recovered from her injury.

The funeral was solemn, and I didn't speak or give a eulogy to my father since I felt disoriented by what was happening with my wife.

As expected, Charlotte was a no-show, and according to one of my men, she was no longer in Archois, and I knew she went to hiding since she felt guilty about what happened to our father.

My sister planned to kill Madeline, and she didn't expect our dad would shield my wife with his own body; just thinking about it made my body tremble with anger, and I was clenching my fists on my sides.

"Hunter, I know you are hurting, but I could tell there is more to your sadness," my mom said as we returned from the cemetery.

"It is Madeline; I am worried about us; she became distant with me," I said when I could no longer take it, and my mother took my hand, and her motherly caress made me feel a little better.

"Son, your wife, was traumatized by what happened; all you need to do is be with her all the time possible." My mom responded.

"I know many things are playing on her mind right now, but don't worry, your love for each other will be your guiding light; just hold on, son, she will come back to you." My mother added, and I was hoping she could be right.

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