Chapter 84Sage's POVThe weight of the day pressed down on me like a heavy log. Violet had been brought to the hospital and she was inside the ward being attended to by the doctors. By the time we had arrived, she had fallen unconscious. The image of her pale face and bleeding head wouldn't leave my mind as I sat outside the ward, clutching my trembling hands together as silent tears rolled down my cheeks. Bella sat beside me, her arm wrapped around my shoulders as she whispered soothing words I couldn't process.All I could think of was who did this to her? And why? Kian stood a few feet away, speaking in hushed tones with his men. Their serious expressions only deepened my anxiety. I tried to think back to any activity lately that I thought was strange that could be related to this incident but I couldn't figure anything out. I was blank, scared, and lost. What would I do if I lost Violet? God!"Diego!" Bella's sudden exclamation startled me, and I snapped my head up.He was here
Chapter 85Sage's POVThe strain between Diego and me, which had been forgotten due to the event of the day, was suddenly reinstated when we left the hospital. The drive back home was in silence. The realization that we might not speak to each other like before left an ache in my chest.The pain of Violet's condition, coupled with this, felt like a metal hand was squeezing my chest. Sighing, I pushed my plate of food away and leaned back in my chair. Tina had prepared dinner just for me since Diego had opted not to eat, leaving me alone in the dining area. Not that it mattered, I had no appetite.A few minutes of brooding passed, and I only realized when the sound of the doorbell startled me. My eyes darted to the wall clock. It was late. Who could it be? I had my bets placed on Bella but still doubted it, she had been scolded by Diego at the hospital for dragging us to the mall. I don't think she would want to come here now. And thinking back, I should have said something – anything
Chapter 86Sage's POVI swallowed hard, my throat dry as Diego's gaze bore into mine. The intensity in his eyes made it impossible to look away, even though I wanted to. "I...I don't know," I whispered, the words barely audible.His expression hardened, a flicker of something painful flashing across his face before he masked it. He exhaled sharply, stepping back and letting his arms fall to his sides. "You don't know?" He repeated, his voice tight with frustration lacing each word.I wanted to say something but the lump in my throat refused to budge."I've done everything to show you I care, Sage," he said, his voice dropping but cutting through me no less. "I've fought for you, waited for you, but if you still can't figure out what you want—" He stopped, his jaw tightening as he ran a hand through his hair."I'm done. I can't keep playing mind games with you." He said finally, his voice firm. A stabbing pain pierced through my chest. It felt as though his words had materialized into
Chapter 87Sage's POV The next morning, I got dressed and left for the hospital as early as I could. I didn't want to face Tina or Diego. Especially Diego. I already knew he'd avoid me today, giving me the space I supposedly wanted.But I didn't want that space anymore. I didn't know what I wanted, honestly. All I knew was that I needed Diego by my side, and the thought of him keeping his distance hurt more than I could admit.My steps were quick and deliberate as I strode down the hospital hallway, clutching a bag of breakfast and a bouquet of fresh flowers. Dr. Warner had mentioned Violet might wake up early today, and I wanted to be there when she did. Just seeing her awake and smiling would bring some relief after yesterday's nightmare.However, as I reached her ward, that tiny flicker of relief was extinguished. My feet faltered at the sight of my parents outside the room.What were they doing here?When I neared them, my mom noticed me first. She stood up quickly, her face ligh
Chapter 88Sage's POVShe laid back, and I hesitated, wondering if it was right to question her about the accident as she was still on the hospital bed and shaken, even if she didn't want to admit it.I saw her hands tremble when I watched her eat. She had been scared; the memory of what happened must be etched on her mind in a grueling way.Making up my mind, I reached for her hand and she gave me a warm smile. "Violet, you don't have to act tough, I know you're scared by what happened. Just let it out, okay?"She laughed but it was humorless, "I'm not acting tough""You are" I nudged her as I drew circles at the back of her palm. A minute passed and I felt her shoulders shaking. I looked up and she was in tears. Worry filled my system instantly and I shot to my feet to embrace her."I didn't think I would make it. I didn't think you would find me," She cried, and my hold on her tightened. My eyes became moist with tears and I pinned my lip between my teeth. I had cried so much, I co
Chapter 89Diego's POV"Sir, it seems the Walters have set their eyes on another business venture. Yesterday evening, he struck a deal with Rebel's Corp, and they seem to have a decent budget rollout for their new project." Mark's voice as he read my itinerary for the day had been a blur in the background till he mentioned the Walters, and my interest peaked. Alex and his brother must've been extremely lucky in their past lives, which explains their current outbreak once again.This time, I hoped they didn't cross paths with me else I'd pull them down completely like I'd have done if it were left to me.It still amazed me as to why the corporation would take the risk to partner with their almost shattered empire. It is either they were lucky or something else underneath the surface. Whatever it was, it was good for them. If they wanted to make good, I wished them well."Sir?" Mark's desperate call snapped me out of my thoughts and I cast him a glance, my brows raised. "Um... You have
Chapter 90Sage's POV"Ma'am, here are all the files you requested," Grace informed as she, with a lot of effort placed a pile of files on my desk."Thank you." I nodded as I stared up at the pile. There were many, but I needed to check them. Kian had called earlier and told me about the man who had attacked Violet, well at least her description of him, and according to her, the man ought to have been Hispanic. I've had a lot of Hispanic clients before, but the recent projects my company was about to embark on revolved around two Hispanic communities. One of them had been reluctant to evacuate the property and the other had verbally threatened to teach me a lesson.I hadn't thought of the possibility that someone from one of these communities could have done this, at all.And if it indeed were, they'd managed to pull through with their threat, but they didn't get me. Rather, they harmed my best friend, and things would get worse for them now.I had dared to feel bad for them when I fo
Chapter 91Sage's POV"Thank you, Mr. Walter. I'm glad you came despite yourself" I said, walking to meet him. Though most of the members of the board had been invited, Alex wasn't. I admit that it was unprofessional on my part, but I just couldn't bring myself to get him involved. He had done enough. But still, here he was with an annoying grin on his face that made me want to throw a punch."Why wouldn't I? I own the company after all" He mocked and my jaws tightened"Hm. Please come in" I said and turned, making to leave when his words made me halt"Where's your husband? I don't see him around. Isn't he supposed to be here by your side?" He snarked and a wave of anger washed over me. I had to take a deep breath to compose myself before turning to face him"Well, you're right. He's supposed to be by my side and will soon be. Things got delayed as he runs a working empire," I retorted calmly, and his grin faltered. And within me, I panicked, what if Diego doesn't come? It didn't even
Chapter 120Diego's POVSage kept stealing glances at me throughout the ride back home. Once, I'd caught her and noticed there was a subtle blush across her face as she did. I couldn't help but chuckle at her sudden change of attitude. Usually, she would be bolder after we had sex or made out, but today, she was acting shy. I didn't mind the change, though, but it was new, and she looked fucking cute.I don't think she knew how cute she looked acting all shy. Watching her ride my fingers to find her release was one of the prettiest things I'd ever seen. And I know this was part of the reason she kept stealing glances at me. Had she felt embarrassed? Or was it because she wanted more? It had been there in her eyes when she stared at me but I couldn't take her now. Not when she was still recovering.I turned to look at her as she stared outside the window, frowning at the bandage wrapped around her head that had been replaced by a nurse before we left the hospital. I still wasn't comfor
Chapter 119Sage's POVDiego carried me to the restroom attached to my ward, and the moment he set me down, his lips crashed on mine, capturing them in a slow, sensual kiss that set shivers running through my body. My breath hitched as the warmth of his touch spread through my body, igniting my entire system.I sighed into his mouth, moving my lips desperately to match his pace. It was a rough and passionate kiss, different from the one we shared moments ago. His hands moved to the small of my back, rubbing his thumb in circles, and slowly, he pulled the knot that held the dress as a piece. I melted against him, moaning in pleasure, everything forgotten as that moment, it was just him and I.We broke from the kiss, both breathless but our bodies were ignited with the primal desire for each other. Diego stared deeply at me, his eyes holding a glint of dark desire as he rid my body of the hospital gown. He dipped his head, and kissed my shoulder blade, trailing up to my neck and chin.
Chapter 118Sage's POVWhen my eyes opened after what I believed to be an hour later, they fell on Kian's burly frame in the middle of the room, and before him was Diego, ruffling his hair.I blinked, my eyes taking in his angry expression as he ordered Kian to find someone. Who was he talking about that made him so angry? Kian looked equally agitated, I could see that with the way his shoulders tensed.What were they talking about?"Diego," I called out almost gagging as the scent of hospital seeped into my system, filling my lungs. Gosh! I can't stand the scent of the hospital anymore. I just want to go home.Diego turned to me and the angry expression on his face earlier wore off, replaced by that of worry as he covered the distance to me. My brows shut up, worry filling my system as I thought of what it could be that had been bothering him."Did we disturb your sleep?" He asked, gently as he took my hand. I motioned to my bed and he nodded in understanding, helping me sit up. I sm
Chapter 117Diego's POVSage's lips were moving but my mind was focused on the way her face was scrunched up in faux annoyance. A small smile twisted my lips, when last had I seen her this close and freely? I'd fucking missed her and heaven knows, I would have lost my mind if she wouldn't have survived this.This time, I wasn't going to let her go no matter how much she objected. But I doubted she would, she had said nothing but smile when I told her that. That fucking smile! It had stirred something within me that I hadn't felt in days. God, whatever she had done to me, I liked it. No, I loved it."Diego!" She snapped, her voice cracked but enough to get me out of the trance she'd trapped me in. I blinked, shaking my head slightly and giving her an inquisitive lookThe frown on her face deepened. "Did you hear what I just said?""No, sweetheart. I heard nothing, can you say that again?" I smirked, raising my brows and she gave me an eye roll that made my heart jump."Stop flirting wi
Chapter 116Sage's POVIt was all a daze.I thought I had heard Diego whispering to me but my brain couldn't process a thing. I only knew that somehow, I was safe and still breathing. Still alive.*****My eyelids felt heavy as I attempted to pull them apart. My whole body felt like I was being held down by weights that kept pulling me down no matter how much I tried breaking free. This left my system numb but for some reason, I kept pushing to open my eyes.And I did.I winced painfully as the bright light penetrated my sour and tired eyes. It was as if someone was pointing a flashlight directly at my face. I snapped my eyes shut, my entire system now adjusting to the environment and before I opened them again, my nose had picked up the strong smell of chlorine and bleach, a typical smell of the hospital.I almost gagged at how strongly it invaded my nose.My blurry gaze ran through the room and then to the IV drip inserted in my hand. My head felt heavy and from it came a pang of pa
Chapter 115Diego's POVAs I sped through the highway, my heart pounded in my chest, and my entire system burned with rage. If anything happened to Sage, I would lose it. It felt as though the car chose to drive at its pace and it was getting on my nerves.It was barely two minutes after the call with Sage, but it felt like an eternity, and all I could do while cursing my luck for not being fast enough was hope. Hope that she had fought Theodore. I had heard it when she gasped out his name. How had he gotten inside? How did he breach all that security I placed around her house?I clenched my jaws and my grip tightened on the wheel as a thought hit me. Could one of my men have betrayed me? I cursed under my breath, punching the steering wheel like it were his face. If it turned out that one of the guards helped in, he would have a companion on his way to hell.My mind reeled as I finally got to the estate, Sage's apartment was located and in a minute, I was pulling over roughly before
Chapter 114Sage's POVMy heart pounded in my chest, fear coursing through my being as I squinted in the direction of the figure to make out who it was. The statue looked like that of a man and, somehow, familiar, but I couldn't place out who it belonged to. However, knowing it was familiar, heightened my fear."W.. who are you?" I asked, taking a step back as I flickered my gaze to my phone on the floor. Diego was still on call and he could help me.The person chuckled and I froze on the spot, eyes widening as recognition flowed in. I opened my mouth to speak but he stepped forward, a predatory grin lingering on his lips as he stared at me.I scrunched my face in annoyance and disbelief, gasping. "Theodore!"He smirked, then picked up my phone, ending the call abruptly. My eyes widened as he tossed the phone across the room. Dread settled in the pit of my stomach when he looked back at me. He seemed different and it was terribly. There was an unhinged look in his eyes, like he could
Chapter 113Diego's POVI watched with an intense stare as one of my men tortured the man who had harmed Violet. His face was bloodied and so was part of his body. My lips twitched, satisfied as his screams of agony cut through the air.Initially, he wanted to play it cool like the sadist he thought he was but he had underestimated my men and their methods. They could break the strongest of men with the cruel way they tortured. Most of them had served in the army while others were the finest retirees from the most dangerous mafia families I had connections with.Most people who knew the kind of men I had hired thought of me as some maniac, hence my widespread reputation of being spineless. It wasn't a lie, but only those who crossed me encountered my wrath. But these men were only part of my crew because of my grandfather's close relationship with the mafia and I'd only salvaged this relationship to my benefit.I narrowed my eyes when the man lost consciousness and hung his head. He h
Chapter 112Sage's POVI spent the rest of the afternoon binging a series I found on TV. After the call with my father, I felt less suffocated and in need of alcohol, so the brandy had been set aside and replaced with four big bags of chips and yogurt.I meant to ditch the brandy after the second glass before the call anyway; that stuff was damn bitter. It made me wonder how Diego managed to drink it.‘Thinking about him again?’ The voice in my head treacherously snarked and I scrunched my face. The thought of him has been crossing my mind sparsely whenever a commercial came up and I was back to seriously feasting on my chips.I found it quite infuriating as I had decided to end things. Thinking about him – his hot and ripped body, lips, hands – everything, would just stick with me then. It was a great deal and it was fun while it lasted. However, despite my decision, I couldn't help the subtle tug in my chest that made me wince occasionally. Coming to that conclusion had been heart-w