''Lisa'' Leslie was about to rush forward when the police stopped him again. The red dots coming from the guns of the police both outside and inside all pointed at Harper Damien.
Even he was flustered by Lisa's actions. He had become flustered seeing the blood that dropped from her neck that she was slitting the knife in his hand with.
He had thought that she would beg him as usual. Plead for her life and then he would have the upper hand, but now she was doing the opposite. She was doing something that she never did. She had always begged him to save her. she never wanted to die even when things got hard for her but now she was the one slitting her own throat with the knife.
But, still, he too was in a desperate situation. He couldn't let her do whatever she wanted. She had no right to die on her own account. She belonged to him and only he had the right to decide whether she lived or died.
Harper Damien held the knife steadily and said, ''stop acting up, you little slut. You and your mother are just the same kind of people. Your lives belong to me. How dare you try to die without my permission?''
''Mr. Damien, I suggest you put the knife away and surrender. You are already outnumbered and if anything happens to the victim, you will be staying in prison for a long time this time away. You won't be granted a parole'' the chief detective spoke.
''I don't care. This little slut was the one who angered me first. She dared to sleep with different men when her body belonged to me. her mother sold her to me, so only I have rights to her body'' Harper Damien said and shook his head. He didn't look any better. He looked as if he was about to lose his mind as he kept shaking his head like a lunatic under drugs.
Leslie studied his actions keenly and turned to the chief detective, ''he might be under the influence of a drug. He isn't acting normal like before'' Leslie whispered to the chief detective.
''He is a drug addict. It isn't surprising that he is acting abnormal. He might have taken something already. My men are going to act soon. Be on guard to catch the lady as soon as he is taken down''
''Alright'' Leslie looked at Lisa whose gaze was fading out, ''Lisa, don't lose consciousness. Look at me, I promise to get you out of here''
The chief detective looked at his men and nodded. As soon as he did, one of them who was hanging on a rope outside flew in, bringing into the glass walling. His actions were shift and precise as his feet hit against the body of Harper Damien's body was flunked to the counter and he hit his against it, making him scream.
Leslie rushed forward and held Lisa's body as she fell. He wrapped her body with the trench coat he had removed earlier on, covering her exposed body. She was losing consciousness. He lifted her up and ran outside where the ambulance was just arriving.
The paramedics helped them into the ambulance and started first aid immediately so that she wouldn't get infections from the slit. To stop the blood, they covered her neck with cotton.
Leslie held her hand and kept mumbling worried to her, ''Lisa, stay with me, please. You can't lose consciousness''
Inside the café, the police apprehended Harper Damien and handcuffed him as he continued to cuss.
Hospital.
Andy and Paula hurried into the emergency ward and went to meet with Leslie who was standing in front of the surgery room. Lisa was rushed into the surgery room as soon as she was brought inside. The slit on her throat was deeper than they had thought. She had put more pressure in slitting her throat against the knife earlier on.
''Leslie, how is Lisa?'' Paula asked as soon as they got to his side. She had changed into a blue knee level home dress.
''She is undergoing surgery at the moment. We have to wait for the doctor to come out first''
''What happened? How did she get this hurt?'' Andy asked.
''She tried to kill herself''
''What?'' Paula sighed, ''that son of a bitch really went overboard. I should just get him and cut off his nasty balls. Men like him don't deserve to live. Where is he right now? I am going to make sure I cut off that thing he uses to pass out urine. Let's see if he will get excited anymore''
Andy and Leslie pursed their lips as they watched Paula cuss and swear. Andy knew she could cuss but this was another side of hers that was new to her. It was the first time she was openly cussing and swearing at someone in his presence.
''Why are you all looking at me like that? Shouldn't I be allowed to cuss till I am satisfied?'' Paula asked them and they shook their heads.
''No, you are allowed to. Go on'' Andy said to her and the door to the operation room opened.
''Doctor, how is Lisa doing?'' Paula was the first to ask the doctor.
''She is fine. Luckily, there was less damage to her trachea and blood vessels but her laryngeal nerves were severely damaged so she might not be able to talk for over a month. her vocal cords were paralysed so we attacked a tracheostomy tube which can only be removed after a little over 5-7 years' time. We were able to stop the bleeding and she is still asleep due to the anaesthesia we injected in her. She will be transferred to the recovering room. She will need a lot of assistance as she won't be able to do a lot of things on her own. Her bodily wounds have also all been treated. Who is her guardian?''
''Me''
''Me''
Paula and Leslie said at the same time and looked at each other.
''I am her boyfriend and she is her sister'' Leslie said after Paula gave him a warning gaze when he was about to introduce her as a friend. She had cocked a single brow at him earlier on making him change his statement.
''Well, she will need help from both of you since you are her family. You can get the forms and report notice from the OPD and fill them up for the police investigations''
''Yes, doctor. I will do that, thank you'' Leslie replied and they turned and saw Lisa been pulled out of the surgery room on a stretcher.
Seeing her laying down like that, Paula became furious, ''darn it. That son of a dog, should I just go to the police station and end him for real?''
The doctor in front and the nurses all turned and looked at Paula. When she saw their eyes on her she asked indifferently, ''why are you all looking at me? If he can do this to my darling, then can't I kill him? It is just the matter of slitting a knife through that scum's throat and it will be the end of him''
Andy pulled Paula to his side and covered her mouth with his hand as he laughed and said to the doctor and nurses, ''she is just joking. She can't even hurt a fly. Don't mind her words''
The doctor nodded and walked away with the nurses.
''Paula, we are in the hospital. There are some things you can't say out loud'' Andy held her hand and spoke gently.
''Oh'' Paula pouted her lips and they walked away.
Private ward.
Leslie returned and saw Paula wiping Lisa's forehead with a wet towel. She was having a fever after the surgery and the doctor said they couldn't give her any more injections until she was awake so she had to wipe her with a wet towel.
''Have you finished with everything?'' Andy asked.
''En, I have. The police will return tomorrow and take Lisa's statement when she wakes up. Paula, it is still late, I will stay the night here with Lisa. Let Andy send you home. You can come tomorrow morning and spend time with her''
'Leslie is right. Tomorrow you don't need to go to work. You can have the week off and spend time with Lisa''
''Won't people at the workplace talk about this?''
''No, I am the boss and this is an order''
''Okay. Then, I will leave Lisa in your care, Leslie. Please take care of her''
''Don't worry. I will take care of Lisa''
Paula looked at Lisa once more before handing over the wet towel to Leslie before she left the ward with Andy.
Leslie wetted the towel and squeezed it before he wiped Lisa's forehead. As he did, he noticed a tear falling from her left eye.
''You must be hurting a lot inside, right? You are even crying in your sleep. Lisa, it has been hard on you. I didn't even know what you were going through. I promise to treat you better''