Chapter 48 Crimson Secrets
The hospital hallway was eerily quiet, save for the muffled sounds of distant machines beeping. Albert and Bailey sat side by side, their faces drawn and pale, the hours seeming to go on forever, each tick of the clock serving as a reminder of how precarious things were.
Albert leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped tightly, while Bailey’s fingers nervously fiddled with the hem of her jacket. The silence was finally broken by the creaking sound of a door. A doctor entered the hallway with a friendly yet professional smile. Both Albert and Bailey stood up at the same time, their hearts racing,
“Doctor” Albert said, his voice cracking,
“How is she?”
The doctor adjusted his glasses before speaking.
“She’s stable” he began, offering a small but reassuring smile,
“She suffered severe injuries to the head and lost a significant amount of blood. However, she will live. We’ve placed her on a blood transfusion to stabilize her condition‘
“Thank God” she whispered.
Albert’s shoulders slumped in relief,
“Thank you, doctor. Thank you so much
“Is she awake?” Bailey asked hesitantly,
The doctor shook his head,
“Not yet. Given the extent of her injuries, it may take a few days before she regains consciousness. But rest assured, she’s under the best care”
“Thank you again” Bailey said softly.
The doctor nodded,
“Take your time, she’s in room 314. If you need anything, let the staff know”
Albert and Bailey turned to face Emily’s room as the doctor left. Emily lay still on the bed as they pushed the door open and stepped inside the darkened room, her head was covered in bandages, and the room was filled with the soft sound of machinery.
Albert shifted to her side, emotion shining in his eyes, he clasped her hand lightly in his, his thumb sliding over her delicate fingers, his lips lingered on the back of her hand as he leaned down and planted a gentle kiss. Bailey stood by the bed, her eyes brimming with tears,
“Emily…” she whispered.
Chappi 40 Common Sancréta
The heart monitor’s steady beeping was the only sound in the room. Bailey looked to Albert, who was
ill holding Emily’s hand, and then back at the wall clock. Albert saw her hesitancy and smiled slightly, sympathetically,
“It’s okay” he said,
“You can leave if you need to, I’ll stay here”
Bailey shook her head,
“I don’t want to leave her. But I know Emily would’ve wanted me to keep things running, no
matter what”
Albert nodded,
“Actually, she would”
Bailey leaned down, gently caressing Emily’s hand,
“I’ll be back soon” she said softly before turning to leave.
It seemed unreal on the journey home. Bailey was experiencing a flurry of emotions, including concern, grief, and a persistent feeling of unease. She was unable to get rid of the worry that gripped her, the fear that Emily’s assailant would target her next.
Then she reminded herself that Sebastian had been apprehended on the spot. After calling the police, he was taken into custody. Driving through the calm streets, she told herself this over and over again, as if it were a mantra.
Exhaustion struck her like a wave when she finally made it home. Emily’s blood was still on her hands and clothing, a somber reminder of the mayhem. She hurried to the bathroom and scrubbed herself clean in the hot water. The tiny bathroom was filled with steam, but it didn’t help her relax. When she was clean, she climbed into bed, exhausted.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand as she was about to fall asleep, she took it up groggily and saw a number she didn’t recognize. Her voice was heavy with fatigue when she answered.
“Hello?”
“Miss Bailey, this is Officer Reynolds from the precinct. We need you to come down to the station for questioning, it’s about your friend, Emily”
Bailey’s heart dropped,
“Now?” she asked, sitting upright.
“Yes, ma’am. It’s urgent”
She didn’t hesitate,
“I’m on my way”
When Bailey arrived, the police station was a hive of activity. She was led to a tiny waiting
room with a glass window overlooking the interrogation rooms. Sebastian sat beside Officer Davies in one of them, his face tight but calm. The sight of him caused Bailey’s stomach to turn. She turned to the officers in the room with her, tears welling up in her eyes,
int
“He’s lying,” she said, her voice breaking,
“I know he is”
One of the officers, a young woman with a sympathetic face, placed a hand on Bailey’s shoulder,
“Do you have any evidence that could help us?” she asked,
With quivering hands, Bailey dug into her bag and took out Emily’s phone,
This should help” she said, unlocking it and scrolling to the most recent texts between Emily and Sebastian. She then gave the phone to the officer, explaining in a trembling voice,
“Sebastian told Emily to meet him at the deserted exit. He picked that spot carefully, he threatened her… said if she didn’t come, he’d show up at the wedding and she wouldn’t want that”
“Emily had no choice but to go, and minutes after she left her bridal suite, she was attacked. Yet he sits there” she gestured toward the interrogation room,
“Lying and denying it”
As the impact of her words set in, the room became silent. The cops had no reason to dispute the frightening picture portrayed by the evidence she had presented. Bailey’s hands were still shaking as she brushed away her tears. She had taken every possible action.
It was now up to the cops to make sure Emily got justice.
Chappi – The Trial of Mr. Yoong
