Monica grabbed her phone and stormed out.
Upstairs, Ruben finally stirred from sleep, only to find Cinthia staring him down like a hawk. He flinched.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.
"Your girlfriend keeps calling. Maybe she's worried you didn't make it home. Or... she wants to know how you felt about last night," Cinthia said coolly.
"My girlfriend?" Ruben blinked, still half-asleep.
Cinthia handed him the phone. "Nathan's at the hospital. He needs you — and he's asking for clothes. His, and some for a lady. Size 32."
"Hospital?" Ruben repeated, dazed.
Just then, Grandma Kuku entered the room, tension written all over her face.
"Ruben, where was Nathan last night? What happened to him?"
"Kuku..." Ruben hesitated. "He might've gotten into an accident. I'm going to do what he asked."
"We're coming with," Kuku declared.
Downstairs, Damien turned to Sofia and Cinthia. "Babe, I'm late for work. You head to the hospital with the rest, then go home."
"Wait, we're going home already? But the wedding—" Cinthia began.
"Yes," Sofia cut her off. "Your father and I. You stay and enjoy your friend's celebration."
"Oh, thank God. I had no plans to argue with you guys," Cinthia muttered.
Meanwhile, Monica called Nathan.
"Hey. You're not the one hospitalized, are you?" she asked, suspicious.
"No. It's Vicky," Nathan replied calmly.
"What?! My sister? What happened?" Monica's voice cracked with panic.
"I can't explain everything right now. Just bring the clothes," Nathan said.
Monica bolted to the storage room, where she found Ruben looking like he'd sleepwalked through the night.
"What's wrong with you? I thought Vicky was your girlfriend!" she snapped while grabbing the clothes.
"Vicky… wait. Where is she?" Ruben asked, suddenly alert. He opened his phone and found dozens of missed calls from her.
"Nathan is with her. At the hospital. Now," Monica said, running out.
"Vicky's hospitalized?" he repeated, stunned.
"Yes!" she shouted back from the hallway.
Ruben immediately called her. But Evan answered.
"Hey… dude. My sister isn't home yet. I'm scared," Evan said, his voice trembling.
"She's at the hospital," Ruben replied. "I'll send the location. Meet us there."
"Sure." Evan quickly packed some food and dashed out. From a dark corner, Tonia watched him go. Then, she quietly followed.
At the hospital, Nathan sat in his office, lost in thought until the doctor knocked him out of his trance.
"Mr. Nathan?"
"Yes? Is she awake?"
"She's stable now. We removed the bullet. She's still unconscious, but she should wake up soon," the doctor assured him.
"Thank you… really, thank you," Nathan said, exhaling deeply, as if he'd been holding his breath all night.
"But what happened?" the doctor asked, puzzled.
"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Nathan replied.
"She's your wife?"
"No. She's… my engagement planner. My wife hasn't arrived yet."
"Ah. Sorry. But we can't process a medical report without a police statement. A bullet wound… something happened," the doctor said firmly.
"I understand. Once she wakes up, we'll give her time to speak."
"I'll inform you the moment she does," the doctor nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait," Nathan said, curiosity piqued. "Why did you think she was my wife?"
The doctor gave a soft smile. "It's just the way you care for her."
Nathan blinked, caught off guard. "Oh…"
"You said she's your planner?"
"She didn't get to start yet."
"She murmured a name in her sleep — 'Sarge.' Do you know who that is?"
"That's new… we're not that close. Maybe her… hus—boyfriend," Nathan stumbled.
"Whoever it is, she must care deeply. That name was the only thing on her lips."
Just then, Ruben appeared in the doorway.
"Oh, he's here. Finally. I need to change," Nathan said with a forced smile.
Monica entered behind Ruben, breathless and worried. "Where's Vicky? Did Marcus follow her? Is he behind this?"
"Marcus?" Nathan echoed.
"Where were you last night?" Ruben asked sharply.
Nathan took a breath. "I was at the orphanage. On my way home, I got ambushed by robbers. My car got smashed, and I got lost. I was wandering around when I ran into Vicky. She'd called me earlier, but when I saw her — she was limping, clearly exhausted, but still trying to smile."
He paused. His voice lowered.
"This morning... she was covered in blood. The doctor removed a bullet from her hand."
"Shit… What the hell happened to her?" Ruben muttered.
"Marcus must've done this," Monica said, furious.
"Marcus is in jail," Ruben said. "Even if he could escape, I don't think he'd come after Vicky."
Nathan leaned back, rubbing his temples, the weight of uncertainty thick in the air.