Chapter 722 Dad, I Don't Want to Let Go of Lola!
Lola lay there in the hospital bed, covered in cuts and bruises. It hurt like hell. 24 hours had gone by, but she still hadn't woken up. The doctors said she was out of danger, though.
Lola had a dream.
In her dream, a young Lola was sitting on Frederick's lap in his study. He was looking over some blueprints, and Lola was asking him all sorts of questions.
Later, she found out it was a commercial complex by Vertex Innovations Group, with four residential towers.
"This is a fire hydrant. Lola, this building is special. The top floor has an extra safety shaft."
"Why, Daddy?" little Lola asked, confused.
Frederick gently patted her head. "Because I want to give these buildings to you, Lola. The people living here will be little princesses like you. If there's ever any danger, they can hide in this shaft. The materials around it are fireproof, waterproof, and bulletproof."
Lola got it. "I understand, Daddy. It's like playing hide and seek. If I hide in there, I'll be safe."
Frederick smiled. "Our Lola is so smart."
Vertex Innovations Group, Frederick's gift, the safety shaft... the place Johnny used to keep his mistresses.
"Daddy! I hid in there! The people living there aren't princesses. That place became Johnny's hideout for his women!"
Lola's forehead was covered in sweat. She didn't want to wake up, but a faint voice kept calling her from afar, "Mommy... Mommy!"
It was Angelina... Angelina!
Lola's eyes snapped open, and she suddenly sat up.
Seeing her awake, Charlotte rushed over, tears still in her eyes. "Lola, you're finally awake. Your father and I have been so worried about you!"
Lola was pulled into a tight hug, her nose stinging with emotion. "Mom, I'm okay!"
Charlotte didn't say anything, just holding her tightly.
At that moment, Frederick walked in. Lola looked at him over Charlotte's shoulder, remembering the dream and her childhood. Her lips trembled as she called out, "Daddy."
Frederick quickly stepped forward, embracing both of them.
At Frederick's age, he couldn't handle such shocks, especially since Lola was his first and most beloved child. He couldn't bear to think about what he would do if something happened to Lola and Angelina, or how Charlotte would cope.
Now, Frederick could only be grateful that God had protected them.
The building where the incident happened was the one Shirley lived in, right on the top floor. Lola had seen the structure of that building and after all these years, she still remembered.
Lola's voice tightened. "Where's Angelina?"
She had hidden with Angelina in the safety shaft, holding her close. Angelina should be fine.
When she asked, Frederick and Charlotte fell silent for a moment.
Lola's heart sank. She grabbed Frederick's arm urgently. "Dad, where's Angelina?"
Frederick knew he couldn't hide it from her. He spoke slowly, like he aged ten years in an instant. "Angelina is in the room next door, but her hearing in one ear is damaged. It might not recover."
Lola was in shock.
Angelina couldn't hear in one ear... How could this happen?
She threw off the covers and got out of bed, not even bothering to put on shoes. She ran out, her injuries and long inactivity making her stumble. She nearly fell as she made her way to the next room.
Lola pushed open the door to the VIP room next door.
She saw Angelina sitting on the bed, looking lost. She was wearing a white and blue hospital gown, her small face still marked by the fire's soot, her big eyes filled with fear.
She heard Angelina's trembling voice ask Johnny, "Daddy, will I never hear with this ear again?"
She saw Johnny holding Angelina's small, shaking body.
Lola's body trembled too.
Why was it that Johnny was the one who made the mistakes, but it was Angelina who suffered... Angelina was only ten years old. She had such a talent for piano, and she said she wanted to be the world's best pianist.
Now Angelina couldn't hear in one ear.
Lola's hand slipped from the door, making a sound.
Johnny looked up and met her eyes. Lola didn't look at him; her eyes were only on Angelina... Angelina saw her too, and with tears in her eyes, she called out like a little kitten, "Mommy!"
Lola's lips trembled as she slowly walked over.
Angelina threw herself into her arms. Angelina trembled in her embrace, so scared of dying and even more scared of not being able to hear.
Lola held her tightly, her voice soft and restrained. "It's okay, Angelina. Mommy's here!"
Angelina cried loudly.
Only they knew how dangerous and desperate it had been. If Lola hadn't opened that window and taken Angelina into the safety shaft, they might not have made it.
Johnny approached, wanting to hug Lola, but she spoke softly. "Don't come near... Johnny!"
Johnny's Adam's Apple moved slightly. "Lola, no matter what, I should take care of you and Angelina."
In the past, Lola had always respected him in front of the children, maintaining his image as a father.
But now she was filled with hatred. She gritted her teeth and asked coldly, "Johnny, do you deserve to be a father? I told you Shirley was dangerous and asked you to handle her properly. And what happened? Shirley and your affairs almost cost Angelina her life. Do you deserve to be a father? When you were fooling around with Shirley in that apartment, did you ever think for a second that you were a father? Johnny, you're worse than an animal!"
Johnny's face turned pale, unable to argue.
Lola held Angelina tightly, wanting to take her away, but she was too weak and collapsed straight to the floor.
"Lola... Lola!"
"Mommy! Mommy!"
In the hospital room, Lola remained unconscious. The doctors said she was completely exhausted.
Austin stayed by Lola's side, half-leaning on the bed, his young face tense. Since the incident, he hadn't spoken a word to Johnny.
Angelina leaned against Charlotte.
Johnny had donated a pint of blood for Lola, and now he stood in the room, pale.
If he could turn back time, he would give anything, even his life, to make things right with Lola. But there were no "ifs" in this world.
Frederick called Johnny out. It had been 36 hours since the incident, and for the first time, he spoke to Johnny in the hospital's small smoking room. Frederick got straight to the point. "Where is that woman?"
Shirley had set the fire and hadn't been caught.
Frederick knew this was Johnny's doing, and he had been holding back his anger for a long time. Finally, he let it out, his voice restrained. "Are you still protecting her, Johnny? I'm old, but that doesn't mean my patience has improved! I'm giving you two hours to bring her to me, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Johnny clenched his fingers, speaking in a low voice. "Dad, I need to handle her myself."
Frederick laughed coldly. "I can't even call you my son anymore! What are you planning to do with her? Send her back to her hometown, find her a good husband. Johnny, if you ask me what my biggest regret is, it's letting Lola marry you!"
He paused, struggling to control his emotions before continuing. "I won't stop you from seeing Angelina for now, but once she and Lola are better, I'm taking them abroad to get Angelina's ear treated. Johnny, if Angelina's ear can't be healed, how can you face them again?"
Johnny remained silent. He softly said, "Dad, I don't want to let go of Lola. I love her!"
Frederick gave a bitter smile.
After he left, Johnny smoked two cigarettes alone before making a call. "Where's Shirley? Keep an eye on her. I'm coming over!"
In the dim hallway, Johnny's shadow stretched long, his shoes clicking sharply on the cold, wet floor.
In a large, warehouse-like room, cold wind blew through broken windows, extinguishing Johnny's cigarette.
He relit it, looking coldly at the woman on the floor. She wore a champagne-colored silk nightgown, looking beautiful but covered in bruises. Her once-lustrous hair was now dry and straw-like.
Shirley knelt, glaring at him. Blood trickled from her mouth, evidence of abuse. She no longer wondered why this man could treat her so cruelly; she knew he had even harsher methods.
Shirley laughed mockingly. "You won't sleep with me, but you let others do it. Johnny, are you even a man?"
Johnny slowly walked over to her. He looked down at her, his cold gaze making Shirley shiver involuntarily. She was afraid of him.
Johnny spoke calmly. "Whether I'm a man or not isn't your concern. You should worry about yourself."
Shirley sneered. "If you have the guts, send me to jail!"
"That would be too easy for you!" Johnny took a drag from his cigarette, glancing around. "Do you know what this place used to be? Before it was abandoned, it was a mental hospital for the criminally insane. Most people here didn't live past 35, either from starvation or overdosing on medication. They all died miserably."
Shirley's face turned pale. Her body trembled. "Johnny, you can't do this to me."
"Can't I? Why not?" Johnny spoke nonchalantly, then pressed his cigarette into her arm. The smell of burning flesh filled the air as Shirley screamed.
Johnny's expression remained unchanged. His voice was soft and gentle. "How dare you hurt my daughter and Lola! I gave you a chance to leave, but you chose to hurt them. I won't let you go to jail. I'll let you rot in this forgotten place, watching your flesh decay and stink."
Two men held Shirley down, preparing to inject her.
Shirley struggled desperately, cursing Johnny, wishing him a terrible death.
Johnny watched calmly as the liquid entered her body. Shirley would lose mobility, her lower body paralyzed. She would lie in filth, struggling for every bite of food like a dog.
He said, "I won't let you die quickly."
Shirley curled up on the floor, her body convulsing.
Johnny watched for half an hour before standing up and leaving.
Outside, the sun was shining, but he carried the stench of decay. The sunlight couldn't cleanse his rotten soul. Once, he had been saved by Lola, but he had hurt her.
A maple branch caught on Johnny's car window. He reached to brush it away but then picked two leaves. He wanted to show them to Lola.
She had cut down the tree they planted together. But maybe, they could plant another one someday.
Lola hadn't woken up. She lay there, growing thinner each day. Johnny donated blood for her, calling her name over and over, begging her to wake up.
Sometimes Ramon would visit Lola, and Johnny didn't stop him. He quietly watched as Ramon checked on her and prescribed medication.
At night, Johnny washed Lola's face.
Frederick had initially refused to let him care for her, but Johnny had begged all night. Finally, Frederick relented, but only until Lola woke up and could decide for herself.
Angelina came in, hugging a pillow. She silently climbed into bed, holding Lola.
Johnny's heart ached. He tucked Angelina in gently, asking softly, "Can't sleep? How about a bedtime story?"
Angelina shook her head. She buried her face in Lola's chest, whispering, "I can't hear well."
Johnny's heart broke. He gently stroked her hair, whispering, "Angelina, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault."
Angelina's eyes filled with tears. She was just a ten-year-old girl, scared of losing her hearing. But seeing Johnny, she felt pity for him. Frederick scolded him, Charlotte barely spoke to him, and Lola ignored him.
Angelina had many people who loved her. But Johnny seemed to have no one.
Tears streamed down Angelina's face. She whispered, "Daddy, I'm scared, but if you come back, it doesn't matter if I can't hear in one ear. I still have one good ear. I don't have to be a pianist. I just want you and Mommy to be together."
Johnny's heart shattered. He held Angelina tightly, whispering, "I'll make sure your ear gets better."
At that moment, Lola woke up. She looked at them calmly, her gaze steady on Johnny. It seemed she had heard their conversation.
Johnny's lips moved, but he didn't know what to say.
Angelina noticed and hugged Lola, whispering, "Mommy."
Late at night, Angelina finally fell asleep.
Lola was extremely weak, but she put on a robe and sat on the couch.
Johnny brought her a glass of water, hearing her ask, "Where's Shirley?"
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