Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't been able to update for a long time. I had been moving to a new house and due to that many complications rose up meaning I didn't haven't any means to update at all. But I promise the wait would've been worthwhile. Remember to Vote + Comment = Voment!

Song Name: Locked Away
Singer Name: R City ft. Adam Levine.
Cover By: KHS, Sam Tsui, & Kristen Collins

💜HAPPY READING💜
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Chapter No.38

Archer's POV:

Even now the doctors are trying to stabilize her condition. She's calling you Archer... You're in no position but I understand her condition better than anyone. I've been in her place when I thought I lost Amalie. You need to go to her and tell you're fine and waiting for her." For the first in my entire life, I see my father having tears in his eyes.

Mom goes over to him and hugs him, I'm guessing it's the time when Mom was in a coma and no one knew whether she'd ever wake up again... I now understand what it may have felt like.

Dad and Chris help me to Eve's room. The doctor and nurse as well as Bernard are shocked to see me like this but I can give explanations later. I'm in a wheelchair. But looking at the monitors attached her condition is far from being stabilized.

I put my hand on Eve's cold one and hold it tightly in mine, "Eve, Pretty girl... I'm here. I'm so sorry I gave you such a fright. Please you need to hang on for me. For Charlotte. We can't live without you. I can't live without you, not today, not ever."

"I'm sorry but I'll have to request all of you to leave, the procedures for the operation are completed." The doctor says.

"Don't you dare tell us what to do?! My daughter needs Archer more right now! Get out before I make you leave!" Bernard says gritting his teeth clearly showing that he's barely controlling his anger.

"B-But" I tune him out, as I feel Eve's hand tighten around me, "A-Archer?" She's wearing a mask supplying her oxygen.

I look into her eyes and see her looking right back at me, "I'm here, Pretty girl. Your Archer is here and he's completely alright."

She smiles a bit and has tears in her eyes, "I'm so glad... I-I was so worried... Archer."

I wipe away her tears, and kiss her forehead, "Don't worry, Pretty girl, I told you I love you. And I won't leave you not now not ever. So you've got to promise me the same as well."

She nods slightly, her eyes glassy, with unshed tears, "I love you, Archer, and more than I thought would be possible. I won't leave you that easily either."

I want to hug her but can't due to all the wires and stuff. But those words are my undoing and the tears I had held back I let go and for the first time ever I'm forced to let out tears not of sadness or grief but of sheer happiness.

Shortly, after she's given anesthesia that puts her to sleep.

When she's shifted for the operation I'm wheeled back into my room, I see all my family there, with Saira and Cameron. Cameron is really strong seeing his sister like this. But he's always been calm and collected for his sister. It surprises me at times. But according to Dad, he's the second version of Ashton. This is why Eve worries even more because both the brother-sister love hiding their emotions.

Everyone leaves except for Dad, Chris, and Cameron. I send everyone back since it's been a long day and it's obvious that everyone needs to rest. Since Dad and Chris are as stubborn as me I allowed them to stay. Frankly, I knew that Cam wouldn't go even if I asked him, because for him Eve was there when his own mother wasn't.

Chris and Dad settle me on the bed I motion for Cam to sit with me, he's a bit hesitant but relents when I don't give up, "Cam, what's going inside that mind of yours?"

He looks up at me with so many emotions it makes my heart clench in pain but the most prominent emotion in his eyes is pain, the only emotion his own sister would never want to see in her brother's eyes, "I-I just think if I wasn't kidnapped then... If I wasn't stubborn that day and took my bodyguards with me to school that day, sis, wouldn't be having surgery right now..."

At that moment Dad takes him from me and settles him in his arms and lets him cry. I can understand where he stands when I've been the same since I found the truth about that night.

"Cameron, don't blame yourself for what's happened. Tell me one thing." Dad asks Cam calmly and sweetly, just like he always did when he tries to make us understand something particular.

He looks at Dad, by which he continues, "If you were in Evelyn dear's place wouldn't you've done the same thing going beyond the limits to save the people you love?"

Cam slowly nods, "There you have it. Don't ever blame yourself. Your sis, would be very upset and most definitely blame herself for not being to stop you from crying. You love your sister don't you?"

He immediately stops crying, "I do! More than anyone could ever love my sissy. I will be stronger for her... But I want to start training like my sis, so she'll never have to worry about my safety." He says with conviction.

Which makes us all smile, Dad laughs at his declaration. Since I was the total opposite of him at his age. All I wanted to do then was eat my Mom's cooking and have fun.

Dad sets Cam with on the bed like before, "Boys, I've told never told you a story that I should've told you, but I never had the heart to re-live the emotions. Seeing Evelyn dear it made me go back to the time when I was 24 and almost lost my Malie."

Chris sits on our side since the bed is really spacious and Dad takes his place on the single-seat couch, "Amalie, like Evelyn had many enemies, but mostly because of her mother. It got so bad that we had an accident which was obviously planned. By the time we found her location, the building had caught fire... I eliminated the threat forever, but at the cost of my love... I was just lucky because she somehow escaped using her quick wittiness, but she got severely injured and almost died in front of my eyes... The doctors saved her but they said that it'd be a miracle if she woke up."

Dad has tears in his eyes Chris gives him a tissue and he uses to wipe those tears away, Dad is the bravest man we all know, so seeing him like this, only Mom has the power to make him go weak but she's also his greatest strength. Just like Evelyn is mine. Right now, she's fighting not only for herself but for all of us. I can totally relate to it not knowing of the outcome and the waiting game is the worst... I feel a small hand slip into mine, I see Cam silently comforting me. I grip his hand back as well.

"That week was a living nightmare for me. I couldn't drink or sleep at all. The moment I left her for an important meeting which Dad couldn't oversee, her condition worsened. The only name she chanted was mine. Scarlet was completely broken since they were losing her fast. But hearing my voice and the feel of my hand in hers somehow sparked a new light in her to fight for. Seeing, Evie struggling like that made me re-live those emotions. What I mean to say is that when you fall in love it feels heaven on earth. But the feeling of almost losing that same person is worse than any of pits of hell."

"I can understand that Dad, since I can't imagine my life without my Pretty girl. She's become my life, not only just me but my... No our daughter, Charlotte. I won't be able to live without her. She's become a light I can't live without." I say.

Dad nods, smiling even if it's just a little, "Archer, I need you to understand, that Evelyn will need to stay in a comatose state for at least 3 days. And her total recovery will require a lot of emotional as well as physical support from us all, son. Will you able to do that? Considering your own condition?"

"I've seen worse, Dad. So recovering from this shit is no big deal, but right now my priority is my Eve. None other." I say with no argument tone.

Dad nods, "But I want you to step down from the company for some months, your mother, brother, and I'll handle it. Charlotte's been very disturbed as well due to the incident. She needs both of you more now than ever before. And so does Evie. So will you step down from the company for some time?"

"Yes, I will. After everything's that's happened we all need a break and big time." I reply.