Agent 003

"We don't go down easily"

After I ate, my stomach rebelled, and I ended up throwing up. I went home, took a quick shower, dressed, and rushed back to the hospital.

As I paced the corridor, frustration gnawed at me. "Why is this taking so long? It's been over a day. This is unbelievable," I muttered to myself.

Just then, a doctor emerged from the operating room. "Ms. Blade," he said, as I approached him.

"How is she?" I ask, my heart racing.

"The surgery was successful, and she's stable for now," the doctor said, but his words did little to ease my worry. "She lost a lot of blood, so she'll be unconscious for a while. It's a miracle she's still alive. However, the bullet hit a sensitive nerve in her heart. It won't function as it used to, and the side effects could be severe. We'll discuss more once she wakes up."

My heart sank as his words hit me. I've ruined her life. What have I done? It's all my fault. I hurt the one person I've ever loved.

I felt a wave of guilt and despair crash over me, isolating me from everything and everyone around me. Baron touched my shoulder gently, breaking through my turmoil. "Are you okay?" he asked.

I nodded without meeting his eyes and turned back to the doctor. "Can I see her?"

"Yes, Ms. Blade you can," the doctor replied.

I followed him to the room, my thoughts a jumble of regret and worry. Seeing Victoria, lying still but alive, was both a relief and a heavy burden. My heart ached seeing her so vulnerable, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was responsible for her suffering.

When the doctors finally left, I was alone with Victoria. I sank into the chair beside her bed, my heart heavy.

Victoria looked so pale, lying there so still. Tears blurred my vision as I looked at her, wishing she could open her eyes and look at me again. I missed her beautiful gray eyes and the soothing sound of her voice.

I reached out and gently took her hand, hoping that somehow, my touch could bring her back to me.

Monica's POV

"Amore mio, stop beating yourself up. You did it to protect her. You didn't have time to think," Mstaphen says, trying to reassure me as we stand outside the hospital, getting some air.

"I know tesoro, but I should have known better. I acted without thinking," I say, my voice heavy with regret. "You didn't see the way she looked at me when I shot Victoria. It was like I tore her heart out. I broke my daughter's heart, and now she hates me. I almost killed an innocent person." I sigh deeply, turning to face him.

"She doesn't hate you, amore," ."She's hurt, but she will come around. You thought you were doing the right thing."

"But what are we going to tell Victoria when she wakes up? She's going to have questions, and she'll get suspicious." My frustration grows, knowing I can't just tell her the truth about us.

"We'll think of something," he says, trying to soothe me. "Don't worry, amore mio."

"We should let someone from her family know. She shouldn't be alone in this," He nods, and together, we walk back inside the hospital.

Anastasia's POV

I gently kissed Victoria's forehead, her skin cold against my lips. A deep sigh escaped me as I pulled away. I needed to clear my head, even if just for a moment. As I stepped out of the room, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders.

My parents were waiting for me in the hallway.

"How is she?" mom asked softly.

"She's stable," I answered, my voice flat. I couldn't bring myself to look her in the eyes, not after what she had done to Victoria. The image of her pulling that trigger replayed in my mind, and I felt a fresh wave of anger and hurt.