Chapter 3
(Lisa's POV)
I couldn't think of anything else—my dad. I had to call him.
I grabbed my phone with shaking hands and dialed his number. It rang... and rang... but no one picked up.
Panic surged through me.
I bolted out of the room, frantically searching for Jacob.
"Jacob! Jacob, where are you?!"
I ran through the hospital like a madwoman, yelling his name, but he was nowhere to be found.
"He won't understand. There's no time for explanations," I muttered to myself. "I have to stop Dad from boarding that plane."
I sprinted toward the parking lot. By some miracle, I spotted Jacob's driver just parking his car.
"Hey! Give me Dr. Jacob's keys. Right now."
"But, ma'am—"
I didn't wait. I snatched the keys from his hand, jumped into the car, and locked the doors. I could see Jacob running toward me in the side mirror, calling my name.
"I'm sorry, Jacob. But not today," I whispered, pressing the accelerator.
I had no license. I'd never driven before. All I had were a few YouTube videos and a desperate need to save my dad.
He'd never let me behind the wheel—he always called me his "little angel," the one he needed to protect at all costs.
But he didn't know…
He was the one hurting me the most.
If only he had listened to me. If only he stayed.
I raced home, hoping to catch him before he left. But the house was empty. I screamed his name over and over, but no one answered.
Then it hit me—he wasn't taking a plane. He once told me that on departure day, an army chopper would pick him up.
I tried calling him again. No answer.
No signal.
No hope.
I collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, tears running down my face.
The medication still lingered in my blood. Slowly, sleep pulled me under again.
(Jacob's POV)
What was wrong with her?
Why did she never listen?
Exhausted and anxious, I hailed a cab and rushed to her place, praying she was safe.
"Lisa! Lisa, where are you?!" I shouted as I stormed into her house.
I looked around, heart pounding, until I saw her lying motionless on her bed.
"Lisa! Wake up!"
I rushed to her side, patting her cheeks. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open.
"Are you okay? Why did you run away from the hospital? I told you—we were going home tonight. Why would you do this to me? Do you feel good making me worry like this?"
My voice cracked under the weight of helplessness. I knew she could hear it.
She sat up, eyes wide and full of fear.
"Jacob… they said they're going to kill my dad. You have to save him. Please. If you want—if it's what it takes—I'll marry you. Just save him."
Her words shattered my heart.
"Who said that? What are you talking about?"
Before I could finish, she handed me a folded piece of paper.
I opened it.
"If you want your father alive, don't let him go to the mission."
I stared at the note, then back at her.
"Lisa… I knew you were innocent, but this? This is foolishness."
"This is clearly someone messing with you. It's a prank."
"Your dad is going on a high-risk mission, yes, but he's not alone. This is national security. A world-famous mafia is involved, and your father's one of the best. Nothing's going to happen to him, okay?"
"If he doesn't contact us in two days, I will go find him myself. But trust me—he's a man of his word. He will call."
I reached out and gently wiped her tears. Only then did I realize she was holding my hand tightly.
She had never touched me before.
And in that moment, I knew—I loved her more than I ever thought possible.
"Come on now. Let's get some food in you, okay?"
She nodded faintly and went to wash up.
(Two Days Later)
(Lisa's POV)
I was doing the dishes when my phone started ringing.
I quickly dried my hands and picked it up.
"Hello? Who is this?"
"Hey, love. How's my girl doing? I'm so sorry for calling late. I know you must be mad…"
"DAD?! Oh my God, Dad—you're alive!"
I screamed with all the strength I had, as though my soul had returned to my body.
"I missed you so much," I sobbed. "I thought I lost you…"
"Of course I'm alive, sweetheart. I miss you too. I'll be back in a week. Leaving for the mission tomorrow, but I'll return soon—just wait a little longer, okay?"
"But listen… take care of yourself. And take care of Jacob too, alright?"
"Dad, I love y—"
The line went dead before I could finish.
He had hung up.
I never got to say it… never got to tell him one last time that I loved him more than anything in this world.
And I didn't know…
That would be the last time I'd ever hear his voice.