The Devil's Sweetheart

When Ethan learned it was for Harley, he has to transfuse blood, he got nervous about her condition. At first, Evelyn didnot explain the situation when asked. Then, after he was taken to the emergency for the direct transfusion of the blood, terror thundered down on him as he witnessed Harley's state. Knees wrapped with bandages, blood-stained gauze around her stomach, cuts, and bruises. He wanted to talk to the doctors, but he let his mouth control and looked at the pale girl as the nurse needled into his artery.

The surgery went on till the morning. Doctors informed Harley was out of danger of the wound attack in the stomach. ''She has fractured knees which take time to recover. So you have to be a little patient.'' The doctor's explanation relieved everyone in the family. Harley is out of danger, and that's all they needed right now.

Standing at the end of the hospital corridor, Jasper finally breathed a mouthful of air and walked out of the hospital. A while ago, when he arrived at the hospital, his fear became visible, creeping over him like a hungry beast immobilizing his brain. The torture Harley suffered for one hour was evident as he watched her injuries.

With Harley being safe, Fredrick turned to Louis and Mabel sharply. ''Do you know the person behind my daughter's state?'' A while ago, the armed men found the two kidnappers, and they didnot need to use much force. A firm kick in their stomach with their custom weapon was all they needed to utter the truth. He expected to be a business rival to play with his weakness by kidnapping his daughter, but shocked was Fredrick when he learned it was Imogen, Louis's mother. There is no reason for that woman to torture his daughter beyond pain.

Mabel and Louis shook their heads. Fredrick's friendly voice suddenly sounded indifferent to Louis's ears. When he woke up in the morning, his son called and informed Harley is in the hospital, injured, and their family is responsible for it. He didnot understand what he meant by that statement, and before Louis could ask further, Jasper hung up. Louis and Mabel hurriedly arrived at the hospital, and tears welled upon seeing Harley through the glass window. Mabel and Louis tried to console Fredrick and Evelyn, but both turned their back against them.

''Your mother hired kidnappers to break my daughter's legs. What explanation are you going to give?'' Fredrick's question stunned the couple. His tone remained calm, but Louis heard the storm in his voice.

''You might have mistaken, Fredrick. My mother has no reason_''

"It's grandmother, dad.'' Reese appeared to clarify the two families. ''She and Celia joined hands and hired the kidnappers to torture Harley.''

''W_hy?'' Came a stammered voice of Mabel.

''Imogen wanted Jasper to marry Celia, but brother loves Harley.'' Reese's revelation came shocking not only to the Allen family but also to Fredrick and Arthur. So, this is the reason.

''She dares to do that!'' Grandpa Arthur came forward with clenched fists. He knows that woman is brutal, just like Elinor, but he didnot think she would go to the extent of torturing his granddaughter beyond repair. ''Take me to that witch woman. My hand needs a little exercise.''

Meanwhile, the restless older woman called the kidnapper relentlessly, but the man hadn't picked up her call since yesterday. Celia is also not responding, raising the alarm in her heart now and then. She got up from the bed and slowly walked outside to order the servant to prepare a car, but the house felt empty. ''Where are my son and daughter-in-law?''

''Madam, they went outside early in the morning.'' The maid said.

Imogen waved her hand to dismiss the maid and then called back to deliver a message. ''Ask the driver to prepare the car_''

''Not so easy to escape. Until I collect my answers.'' Imogen's head snapped in the direction of the voice. A source of bombshell expression buckled on her face seeing Arthur at her doorstep. Behind him entered her son and Mabel with a batallion force. Imogen gulped hard. Did they find out? She questioned herself. Is that the reason the kidnapper is not picking the calls?

''Why?'' Was the only question posed by Louis.

''I will not let a low birth like her enter the Allen family.'' Grandpa Arthur marched forward in rage, but Louis held his hand and stopped him from taking a further step.

''An illegitimate daughter of the Welton family talking about low-birth?'' Arthur mocked at the woman. ''If not for your cheap tricks on Samuel, you would be the begging in the streets.''

Imogen's face went hot and pinched with resentment. The undeniable past she wanted to avoid was brought to the surface again. 

''Why did you do it?'' Louis asked. ''Her body was covered in blood and bruises when she was brought to the hospital.''

''You are talking as if she is dead.'' Imogen added with a mock. She is not scared of the men standing at the doorstep. She knows her son will not send her to prison. On the contrary, he promised his father that he would take well care of his mother and protect her.

Louis let out a bitter smile. He expected she would accept her wrongdoings, at least now, but he underestimated this woman. What else did he expect from a heartless mother? He never got a motherly love from this woman. She never talked softly and hugged him dearly as a mother does with her child. All she wanted was the status. He controlled the tear that was about to fall from his eyes. This woman is not worthy of it. Louis turned to the men who were standing outside the door, ready for the orders. ''Take her away.''

With the command, two men marched forward and held Imogen's arms. ''Leave me, you insolent brats..'' Imogen tried to free her arms, but how much an old woman like her can withstand the trained men.

When the threats didnot work on the men, Imogen glanced back at her son and began her emotional drama. ''Son...they are taking me away..you promised your father to keep me safe.. Please..save your mother...''

Her cries turned into the air as the men dragged her into the car mercilessly. Jasper and Fredrick were waiting near the car didnot spare a glance at the woman. ''Tell Sara and Clara she is the special guest,'' Jasper said. Sara and Clara are alone enough to create enough nightmares.

He looked at the retreating car through his bloodshot eyes. When it was out of the reach, Jasper then glanced at Fredrick, his eyes turned soft. ''Uncle, I_I am sorry for all the happenings_''

Fredrick turned and left without sparing a glance at Jasper.

....

Mabel walked towards Evelyn and gently held her hand. ''Eve, we are sorry for_''

''I am going out for a walk.'' Evelyn released herself from Mabel's grip, and stormed out of the place, sparing no glance at Mabel.

Leena and Reese held Mabel's arms and consoled her. ''Don't worry, Aunty. Mom is not herself since yesterday. Give her some space. She will be fine.''

Mabel nodded her head with a smile. She can understand Evelyn's situation. Harley suffered because of her family. Her face filled with disgust for that insolent woman.

...

Evelyn just walked out of the hospital to clear her mind. She doesn't hate Mabel, but she cannot accept that one of her family tried to hurt her daughter. While Evelyn was making her way to the lawn, another headache brewed. Since morning her mobile started ringing from the person who she called yesterday for the O negative blood. ''What is it?'' She lifted the call at last.

''My phone was in silent mode, and I missed your calls, sister.'' Evelyn heard an apologetic voice from the other end. ''Was it something important you wanted to tell me?'' She could feel hope-filled in his voice.

''I called you by mistake. I didnot intend to talk with you.'' Evelyn said. ''I am hanging up_''

''Wait, Evelyn.'' He stopped her before she finished her thoughts. ''Nellie is not in Germany. I asked Ethan also to search, but we couldn't find a trace of her. Can you please tell her whereabouts. I am begging you.''

''I don't know where Nellie is, and don't bug me calling every time.'' Evelyn calmly responded, controlling the urge to lash at him. Even if he searches the entire world, he will never find her dead friend alive, and thanks to his wife. Evelyn was glad that she and Fredrick had protected the baby Harley from that evil woman before the calamity stroke. If that woman gets to know Harley is alive, she stopped imagining. She will not let anything happen to her daughter.