Maybe

Chapter 64 She shot me

_Ethan_

My heart was racing as I paced back and forth in my apartment. My mind wouldn't stop spinning. I can't lose Nina. Not like this. I cursed under my breath, my fingers already reaching for my phone. I had made a mistake—gotten too greedy, thinking I could control the situation. But now Aiden was making his move, and if I didn't act fast, I might lose Nina forever.

I gritted my teeth. I can't let that happen. I quickly hacked into the security office's system, my fingers flying over the keyboard. It wasn't easy, but I knew how to get around things like this. I needed to know where Aiden was. I had to.

A few tense minutes later, the screen flashed with a map. Aiden's car. It was parked nearby. My stomach twisted. I locked the location into my phone and made sure it was secured on every device. I couldn't afford to lose this lead. Not now. Not when Nina was in danger.

I scanned the information, my eyes narrowing as I saw something else—a hint that Nina might be with Aiden. My pulse sped up, my breath quickening. No. No way. Aiden wouldn't.

But the truth was, Aiden was dangerous. I had to get to them fast. I could feel the panic rising in my chest, my hands sweating as I grabbed my jacket and keys. I couldn't waste any more time.

My car sped down the road, every second feeling like a lifetime. Please, Nina, please be okay. My thoughts were a mess, but all I could focus on was getting to her. I couldn't let Aiden hurt her. Not again.

Finally, I reached the location. I parked quickly and got out, my legs shaking with nerves. My eyes scanned the area until they landed on Aiden, standing smugly with a wicked grin on his face. And Nina... Nina was standing next to him, looking fragile, almost lifeless. My heart stopped for a second.

I need to get to her. I need to protect her.

I didn't think twice. I stepped forward, my voice strong, trying to keep Aiden from doing something worse. "Aiden, let her go. It's over."

But Aiden only smirked. His eyes were dark with amusement, like he was enjoying this. I could feel the fear creeping into my chest. What if Aiden does something to her?

I tried to push through the panic. I couldn't think about that. I just had to keep Aiden distracted, get to Nina, and get her out of there. Without thinking, I broke into a run, heading straight for Nina. But it was a mistake. He grabbed her with a dagger, almost piercing her skin. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Time seemed to slow down as I desperately tried to come up with a plan. She was clever to handle it at the moment... but with a gun? Aiden had a gun with him? then, why didn't he use it? but im thankful he didnt. A twisted sense of relief flooded through me. She wasn't gone. She was still alive. Aiden hadn't won.

while he landed on the side. My footsteps found their way to Nina on their own. 

But then, as I tried to move closer to her to get her away from Aiden, the world seemed to slow. I saw Nina raise the gun again, her aim unsteady, and my heart skipped a beat.

No. Nina, no.

Before I could reach her, I felt a sharp pain in my side. The world spun around me, and I staggered back, shocked. Nina's shaking hands were still holding the gun... She had shot me.

The sound of the shot rang in my ears, and this time it was my body that reacted before my mind could catch up. The bullet hit me, and for a moment, I just stood there, stunned. I looked down at my wounded arm, not believing what had just happened. 

My breath caught in my throat. She shot me. 

A strange laugh bubbled up in my chest. It was weak, shaky, but it felt like the only thing I could do. Aiden hadn't broken her. Nina was still fighting.

But then, as I looked at Nina's face, her eyes drifting closed, the shock faded. The panic rushed back in full force. I didn't care about the pain anymore. All I cared about was Nina.

She was unconscious.

I rushed to her side, my hands trembling as I lifted her into my arms. She's still breathing. Thank God. I could barely breathe myself. The weight of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. She was safe for now, but I had no idea what was coming next.

The pain in my side was real, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was getting Nina away from Aiden, away from this madness. I held her close, my heart heavy, as I promised myself I wouldn't let anything happen to her. Not on my watch.

The security guards arrived just in time, their footsteps echoing as they rushed in and quickly subdued Aiden. His curses filled the air, his voice a venomous mixture of anger and frustration as they dragged him away. I barely registered the scene around me, too focused on Nina, the only thing that mattered right now. My heart was still racing, and I could feel the weight of the situation sinking in, but all I could do was pull her closer to me.

I laughed, the sound shaky and hollow, but it felt like the only thing I could do. "Hurt the one who's protecting you... that's your style?" I muttered under my breath, shaking my head in disbelief. How close I came to losing her. The thought made my chest tighten, but there was a strange, almost manic relief at the same time.

I glanced around, trying to make sense of everything, but it all seemed too surreal. As I carefully cradled Nina in my arms, I learned from one of the guards that her mom had been found unconscious in bed. Aiden hadn't gone for the kill when he had the chance. No, he had something worse in mind—torture. His plan had been to drag it out, to hurt us in ways we couldn't even imagine. But she was okay, for now, treated at home, safe for the moment.

We also received treatment when we returned home. Her mother left with her father for what reason I don't remember. I didn't bother asking.

But I didn't know why I wasn't laying Nina down on the bed. She was peacefully, unconsciously, laying on the couch where she fit perfectly.

I refused to leave as if being near her could protect her from everything. My hands trembled as I gently brushed some hair away from her face. I had no idea what I was doing, no plan in mind, just an overwhelming need to be near her.

I couldn't stop smiling, though it felt strange. The memory of her shooting me kept running through my mind—her trembling hands, her blurry figure. How she had saved herself, how she had fought back, even when I was in her way. How close I came to losing my sh*t.

But right now, all I could focus on was nothing but her. Her quiet, peaceful face as she slept, the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. 

When would she wake up? Would she remember what happened? Remember that she shot me? 

Nina's eyelids fluttered, her breathing quickening, and a rush of relief surged through me, tangling with a fresh wave of panic. My heart raced, and for a moment, I froze, my mind caught between hope and dread. What do I do now?

Questions flooded me, their weight threatening to pull me under. But I forced myself to take a breath, to shove the panic down where it couldn't reach her. Focus, Ethan. Stay calm.

I stood, my movements stiff as I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake the tension coiled tight in my chest. What the hell was wrong with me? I needed to pull myself together. She couldn't wake up to me spiraling; she couldn't see the cracks forming in the facade I'd worked so hard to keep intact.

I crossed the room to the kitchen, My actions felt robotic, a desperate attempt to cling to normalcy. As if filling a glass of water could erase the storm brewing inside me. 

I forced myself to take a sip, focusing on the sensation, the small act of control. It didn't stop the whirlwind in my head, but it gave me something to hold onto.

Returning to Nina's side, I placed the glass on the table and sat down, my gaze drawn to her face once more. She looked so fragile, so peaceful, yet the sight of her stirred something fierce inside me. 

I'd been staring again, hadn't I? Tracing every curve of her features like they held answers I didn't know I was searching for. 

I shook my head, trying to push away the flood of thoughts threatening to overwhelm me. This wasn't the time for sentiment. I had to focus on the now.