âWhy were you there tonight?â Bella asked softly, teardrops hanging
off her lashes.
âIt was Linny. She ran into me at Tideview Manor this afternoon and
told me that she would be meeting you there.â
Justin gave her the full account. âI was worried, so I went to make
sure everything was okay.â
Thankfully, he trusted his gut.
The shocking secret Linny whispered in Bellaâs ear before passing out
came to mind, and Bella shook nervously.
She wondered if she should let Justin know.
Bella clutched the pocket of her top, where Linnyâs busted phone was.
Furrowing his brows, Justin took off his jacket and draped it over her
shoulder before holding her.
Bella did not put up a fight. Her eyes were vacant.
Her focus was entirely on Linny and Steven. She had no energy to
care about anything else.
âWas the man caught?â Bella asked.
âThe manhunt is happening as we speak. My men and the police have blocked all the major train
routes, airports, and highways in Savrow. He can run, but he canât hide.â
Justin breathed laboriously as anger filled his eyes. âThe illegal use of firearms, intentional harm, and
premeditated murder should get him. the death penalty.â
Bellaâs eyes turned bloodshot when the image of Linny being shot. played in her mind.
She gasped sharply, covered her ears, and closed her eyes.
Recognizing the signs of Bellaâs stress response, Justin felt for her and reached out to embrace her
gently.
âDonât be scared. Itâs okayâ¦â He stroked her back, his jawline tense.
Justin was just an ordinary man in front of the love of his life. He, too,
had moments of agony and tears.
The Thompson brothers were consumed by a mix of emotions.
Frowning, Declan wanted to approach the couple, but Asher and Drew
yanked him back.
âI know you donât like Justin, Declan. Iâm not fond of him either.â
Drew sighed. âBut thank God he was there tonight. Otherwise, we
might never see Bella again.â
Declanâs eyes widened in shock.
âThey had been married for three years. Even if Justin wants to get
with Bella now, itâs not like they hadnât been together before.â Drew
slipped his hands into his pockets and smacked his lips.
Ralph, Asher, and Declan had no words.
Asher could not believe that Drew would stand up for Justin.
Back then, the news of Bellaâs secret wedding to Justin infuriated
Drew the most. He even threatened to fly a plane into Salvador
Corporation and blow it up.
Drewâs temper did not cloud his judgment this time.
The door to the ICU opened.
Bella sprinted toward the doctor.
Justin stuck close to her, his fervent gaze never leaving her.
âHow is she, Doctor? How is she now?â Bellaâs strained, red-rimmed
eyes glistened with hope.
The doctorâs scrubs and gloves were covered in Linnyâs blood.