Goodbye, My Mate

Chapter 167

Darren's POV

"What's happening...? What the hell?!" Josephine gasped, her eyes widening as she saw Leah cradled in my arms.

"Leah's in danger. We need a doctor," I murmured, laying Leah gently on the sofa.

"If you need a doctor, you’ll have to go to a clinic! Not to me!" Josephine snapped.

"I can't take her there. There are soldiers everywhere," I replied urgently. "She's dying, Jo. The blood won't stop."

Josephine's face twisted with hysteria. "What do you expect me to do? We can't help her! Didn't you see those soldiers on the street? They're hunting for her! If they find her, we're both dead!"

Ignoring her, I tore through the linen closet, grabbing anything that could help staunch Leah's wound. Josephine tried to pull me back.

"Darren! Are you listening to me?!"

"I hear you, Jo," I said softly, but firmly. "But I have to save Leah. She took a bullet meant for me. If it weren’t for her, I’d be the one bleeding out."

"We don’t owe her anything!" Josephine screamed, tears streaming down her face. "Lester died because of her! I lost a leg because of her! She’s taken everything from us!"

"Help me find a doctor or stay out of my way," I growled. Josephine glared at me with fiery resentment before reluctantly picking up her phone.

"Dr. Jafar? Get to my place now. Bring everything you need," she said, her voice trembling. "No, I'm not hurt. It's someone else. Don’t panic."

After hanging up, Josephine slumped into a chair, her eyes boring into mine. "I know you're furious with me, but this is something I must do. It’s my destiny," I said, wiping the sweat from Leah's pale face.

"You're still in love with her," Josephine whispered bitterly.

"I'm not in love with her, Jo. I love you," I insisted.

Her expression darkened. "Yeah, you love me. Yet the moment Leah's in trouble, I become a ghost to you. How could you do this to me? I'm pregnant with your baby!"

"Nobody will harm you or our baby. As soon as the doctor arrives and removes the bullet from Leah's chest, we’ll leave."

"Leave? And where exactly do you plan on going?"

"I'm taking her north."

"Mediland? You've got to be joking!"

"No, further north. My father was exiled to the Scorched Land. He left some loyalists there. I can find them."

"And what about me?"

"You’re coming with me."

"I’m not going anywhere! I hate the north! It’s freezing and desolate! Nothing good has ever happened there!"

"We’ll change that. Now go pack your things."

"I can't raise my baby in that godforsaken snow pit!"

"This is not up for debate. You’re carrying my child. You’re my mate, so you go where I go. End of discussion."

Josephine glared at me, her eyes fiery with rage. Her lips quivered as she struggled to suppress her fury, but eventually, she turned away, hastily wiping away her tears.

"You know you can't protect her forever, Darren," she said, her voice strained.

"I'm afraid that's my decision to make," I replied, my tone resolute.

"Lucian is about to take the throne! He wants her dead! Her own brother wants to kill her! Her own husband has given up on her! Why can't you do the same?! She's a spoiled, selfish woman who brings death wherever she goes!"

"Listen, Jo. I will never give up on her. This is my destiny. If you don't understand that—"

"Then what?!" Josephine interrupted, her lips trembling with suppressed emotion.

"Then maybe we shouldn't be together. I'll reject you to set you free."

"You're a fucking heartless asshole! I should have left you to die after your brother passed away! I went to Lucas, begged for the cure for you! I even got you enhanced by hooking up with Leo! And I'm pregnant with your baby! And this is the thanks I get?!"

Her enraged scream was cut off by the sudden ring of the doorbell. She rushed to the intercom and picked it up.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Dr. Jafar."

"Are you alone?"

"My apprentice drove me here. I'm too old to drive myself. He's left now."

Josephine turned back to me, her eyes searching mine for any sign of hesitation. I nodded, signaling her to let him in. She buzzed him up, and moments later, Dr. Jafar entered the room. I couldn't help but notice the bruise on his face.

"What happened to your face?" I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.

“We got stopped on the way here. A soldier attacked me when I refused to bribe him. He’s one of the Moon Growlers. They’re all over the city now.”

“Have you seen any White Walkers?”

“Yeah, they stepped in and saved me. Now, can I see the patient?” he asked, rolling up his sleeves with determination.

Dr. Jafar worked on Leah for several hours, painstakingly removing bullet fragments from her chest. I stood by, watching as he extracted each piece one by one, my unease growing with every passing minute.

Something about the whole situation felt off. It was all too smooth, too easy. I was certain there was more at play, but I had to let Dr. Jafar focus on saving Leah first.

Josephine stayed by my side the entire time. Despite her anger at the idea of rescuing Leah, I knew she understood it was the right thing to do. If she hadn’t cared, she wouldn’t have called the doctor in the first place.

After what felt like an eternity, Dr. Jafar suddenly looked up, his expression grave. “One of the fragments is lodged in the vein connected to the placenta,” he said, his voice tense. “If I continue, I’ll sever the vein, and she’ll lose the baby she’s carrying. Shall I proceed?”