Chapter 165: "Care About Him"

When Aren finally returned to the corridor outside the operating room, the number of men stationed there had nearly tripled.

Eduardo had arrived with Gian and Caio, each Don bringing a substantial number of subordinates with him.

Two long hours passed in anxious silence before the head surgeon finally emerged with his team.

Almost everyone waiting outside immediately rose and crowded toward the man, their faces taut with anticipation.

Eduardo was naturally the first to step forward and ask the question everyone else was desperate to hear.

"Doctor, how is my son’s condition?"

"The bullet entered his upper back, just below the shoulder, sir," the surgeon said, looking visibly relieved himself. "It damaged a major artery and caused severe blood loss, which sent his body into shock. Fortunately, we managed to repair the vessel and remove the bullet. He’s stable now and should wake up within thirty minutes to two hours, depending on the anesthesia."

Eduardo’s brow furrowed, his concern still evident.

"No complications, Doctor?"

"None at all, sir." The surgeon shook his head before a knowing smile crossed his face. "Although, knowing your son, he probably won’t enjoy having to wear a sling for the next several weeks. And I doubt he’ll be fond of the months of physical therapy that will follow."

The announcement sent a wave of relief through everyone gathered in the corridor.

The tension that had held everyone rigid for the past two hours finally began to ease, and several men exhaled as though they had only just remembered how to breathe.

Aren and Gian were among the most visibly affected.

The elderly Don clasped both of his daughter’s hands, a relieved smile finally easing the tension from his face.

"Thank God for protecting both my daughter and her savior!" he exclaimed. "I’d gladly give up ten years of my life for this!"

Aren immediately frowned, though she couldn’t suppress her own smile of relief.

"Father, what are you saying?" she scolded gently. "Take it back. Otherwise, I’ll have to pray for God to give you fifty more."

Gian exhaled heavily, a laugh breaking through as he glanced toward the Marchetti men celebrating nearby.

"How can I help it, my dear? I’m simply overjoyed. Not only did I get to watch my daughter compete today, I’ve even witnessed a miracle. What has a sinful soul like me done to deserve such blessings?"

Aren laughed softly and wrapped her arms around him, sharing in the happiness that had finally replaced the fear of the past few hours.

The celebration, however, didn’t last long.

A moment later, one of the Lombardi men approached Gian and spoke in a lowered voice.

"Boss, the dinner with the government officials is approaching. If we leave now, we can still make it on time."

The reminder immediately dimmed the light in Gian’s expression. He turned toward Aren with deep regret.

"Ah, what unfortunate timing. I wanted to stay and thank Jordan personally, but I suppose I’ve already delayed my schedule long enough." He sighed. "I’m afraid I can’t stay any longer."

Aren’s expression fell as well. She squeezed his hands gently.

"Then I’ll text you as soon as Jordan wakes up, Father. Thank you for being here today for me. I’ll visit you next Sunday for the ice cream launch at our restaurants."

"Of course, my dear." Gian warmly squeezed her hand in return. "Then I’ll see you next Sunday."

His attention then shifted to Caio, who had remained close to Aren throughout the entire ordeal.

"Don Caio, I believe my daughter will be in your care?"

There was considerably more warmth in Gian’s expression now, a stark contrast to the lukewarm attitude he’d shown toward Caio at the beginning of the day.

Caio gave a small nod, his voice even.

"I’m taking her home after this."

"Very well." Gian nodded, visibly pleased. "Then I shall take my leave."

He went to congratulate Eduardo before departing down the corridor with the rest of the Lombardi men.

Eduardo followed shortly afterward, occupied with his own responsibilities as Don.

Aren and Caio remained where they were, watching as the two groups disappeared down the corridor.

When the last of the men finally vanished from sight, Caio turned toward her.

"Are you sure you want to stay until that brat wakes up?"

He ran his palm lightly over her forehead, his voice tightening with concern.

"That stimulant should have worn off by now. How do you feel? Is the fever coming back?"

Aren shook her head faintly.

"The fever’s gone, and I don’t feel tired either."

She looked up at him with pleading eyes.

"Can I stay until Jordan wakes up? You could leave first if you have things on your schedule. I’ll take a cab home later."

Caio’s brow drew together in quiet disapproval.

"If you’re going to stay, I’m staying too."

Then he caught the lingering worry in her expression, and his voice suddenly lost its edge. What followed sounded strangely thin, even to his own ears.

"Do you..."

He hesitated, then forced the words out.

"...care about him?"

Aren met his gaze, looking confused by the question.

After a moment’s thought, she gave her honest answer anyway.

"...Yes, I do."

Caio held her gaze for a moment longer. Something complicated flickered deep within his eyes before he deliberately pushed it away.

Guiding her toward the nearest chair, he said,

"Then we’ll wait."

─ •✧• ─ ✿ ─ •✧• ─

Fortunately, Jordan didn’t keep them waiting long.

Barely thirty minutes later, a nurse emerged from the recovery room, looking thoroughly flustered as she hurried straight toward Aren and Caio.

"Miss Lombardi!" she called breathlessly. "The... the Young Boss! He’s awake! He’s conscious now, but he’s rather... unstable. We’ve told him that you’re safe, but he keeps demanding to see you. You need to come inside quickly, or he’s going to get out of bed and tear his stitches!"

Aren barely had time to process the joy of hearing that Jordan was awake. Alarm immediately overtook her face, and she shot to her feet.

"Oh, oh! I understand! I’ll be there right now."

She turned toward Caio and dipped her head apologetically.

"I’ll be back very quickly. Please wait for me here."

Caio didn’t even have time to respond before she turned and hurried after the nurse toward the recovery room.

He released a quiet, defeated sigh as he watched her small figure disappear down the corridor.

─ •✧• ─ ✿ ─ •✧• ─

The recovery room was already in chaos when Aren arrived with the nurse.

Two nurses stood beside Jordan’s bed, doing their best to keep him from sitting up completely.

He looked restless and aggressive despite the tight sling immobilizing his one arm, clearly determined to get out of bed.

Under normal circumstances, Jordan should have been heavily groggy during the first few hours after surgery. He had lost a considerable amount of blood, and the painkillers should have left him subdued.

Yet somehow, he still possessed enough strength to give the nurses a considerable amount of trouble.

The moment the door opened and Aren rushed inside, however, all resistance stopped.

Relief swept across Jordan’s face so quickly it almost seemed painful. A wide smile followed, illuminating his otherwise deathly pale features.

"...A... Ariana."

His voice was far weaker than the determination he’d displayed moments earlier.

"You... you’re safe."

Something clenched painfully inside Aren’s chest at the sight.

His skin had lost nearly all its color from the blood loss, yet he was smiling at her as though seeing her alive was the only thing that mattered.

She hurried to his side, and the nurses immediately stepped back to give her space.

Her palms found his pale cheeks at once, as though she could restore the color to his face through warmth alone.

"Jordan," she whispered. "I’m here. You woke up... you’re safe." Her voice trembled. "I don’t even know how to thank you."

Jordan’s smile only widened further, though his voice remained hoarse.

"...What are you talking about? I’d gladly take a bullet for you again. I wouldn’t even have to think about it."

Aren frowned, disapproval fighting with the warmth swelling in her chest. She hated hearing him talk so lightly about putting himself in danger for her sake — yet deep down, she knew she would’ve done the same for him.

So instead of protesting, she gave his hand a gentle squeeze, before turning toward the nurses with a grateful smile.

"Thank you for all your help, but could I please spend a moment alone with Jordan? I’ll make sure to take good care of him."

The nurses exchanged a few glances, but it didn’t take long for them to agree.

"Then we’ll take our leave, Miss Lombardi," one of them said. "If you need anything at all, just press the call button."