The Heart Left Behind (Cole and Yvonne) novel Chapter 194

Clark looked at me in confusion, clearly hesitating to act.

"Don't you have any common sense?"

I knew Clark was probably holding back because of my position. But there was someone dying in front of us. What was he waiting for?

Seeing his hesitation, I couldn't hold back anymore. "Get him out of here, now!"

"Okay, I got it! I'll have someone take him to the ambulance right away."

A few younger officers fumbled over themselves to lift the man from the ground, only for Gerald to shove them away.

"Get away! Don't touch him! He's my son! I'll take him to the ambulance myself."

Gerald was in his 60s, and he was still strong for his age. But carrying a man in his 20s wasn't something the older man could handle easily.

I watched as he staggered toward the ambulance, his back a pitiful sight.

I turned to look at Lorraine. Sometime in the last few moments, her eyes had filled with tears.

She knew full well that Gerald would only ever show this side of himself when it came to Sam, but she couldn't stop herself from feeling a pang of sadness anyway. She turned away, quickly wiping her eyes and trying to hide her sniffles.

I walked up to her and squeezed her shoulder. "It's okay, the wound isn't that deep."

I had glanced at Sam just now—he hadn't gone through with it.

If it had been me, I would've made sure to do a better job. I would've made the wound deeper—enough to get the sympathy he clearly craved.

Sam was still too kind to himself.

Lorraine wiped her tears away and looked up at me, puzzled. "How do you know the wound isn't deep?"

"I saw it. They're just playing for your sympathy, and you're falling for it."

Lorraine was too kind, and it was exactly her kindness that had allowed this family to walk all over her.

After Sam was taken to the hospital, Clark clapped me on the shoulder. "Mr. Joplin, now that he's at the hospital, what should we do next?"

"Do you want him to rot in jail?" I asked as I turned her by the shoulders to face me. "Is that what you're hoping for?"

"I just don't want him to be free."

If it were up to her, she would lock Sam up forever. That way, she wouldn't have to live in fear every day. But Gerald would never allow that to happen.

Lorraine took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger building inside her.

"I can make sure he never gets out."

I looked into Lorraine's eyes, watching them widen in shock. At that moment, she looked irresistibly captivating. Unable to help myself, I kissed her forehead.

The fire that had been snuffed out earlier seemed to spark again.

I closed my eyes, forcing down the surge of heat rising within me. I then led Lorraine away under the puzzled stares of the officers.

Before leaving, I glanced at Clark and said, "Don't bother meddling in this. Just make sure the prison cell is ready."