---A week trickled by, and Eva remained in deep, unmoving sleep.Why hasn’t she woken up?!Damien’s frustration was spiraling into desperation. He moved restlessly around her hospital room, back and forth in an endless loop that wore tracks into the sterile tile floor. Shadows from the bright, clinical lights cast deep lines on his face, making his fatigue painfully visible. Each lap around the room sharpened his anger and fear, simmering dangerously beneath his rigid composure.He gritted his teeth, jaw clenching as the sterile, unmistakable scent of disinfectant hung in the air, scratching at his nerves. This place—he hated it. Hospitals felt like death traps, filled with ghosts of the sick and the wounded. And worse, this was the second time he’d found himself pacing like this, in just this setting, all because someone had hurt her.Two times. Twice, he’d arrived too late. Twice, she had been caught vulnerable in the crossfire.His hand raked through his hair once more, but it onl
Two and a half weeks later.Beep.Beep.Beep.The rhythmic beeping sound filled Eva’s mind, scratching at her patience. She groaned softly, frustration and irritation building as the relentless sound drilled into her thoughts.‘Why can’t it shut up?! How Annoying!’ Her hand moved slightly, but even that small action pulled a wince from her as pain flared through her muscles. Her body felt as though it had been shattered and pieced back together, each limb screaming with the memory of trauma. Her head throbbed, a dull, relentless ache that only worsened as she stirred.Suddenly, she heard a loud crash in the background. The sound jolted her, heightening her awareness of her surroundings. Someone had slammed something, perhaps a table or chair, against the wall. Shuffling followed, then a low, furious voice, sharp and menacing.“It’s been three weeks, and you still haven’t stabilized her condition? How incompetent and useless,” Damien’s voice thundered, dangerous and animalistic, more l
Eva’s own gaze shifted to him, taking in his disheveled appearance. The usually composed, immaculate man she knew was gone, replaced by someone raw and broken. His suit was wrinkled, his hair wild and unkempt, his face carrying the haunted look of sleepless nights and endless worry. She’d never seen him so unguarded, so utterly vulnerable.Slowly, she shifted in bed, a faint discomfort creeping into her as she looked past Damien to the others. Nathalia, her normally bubbly friend, looked crushed by emotion. Edwin stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold with a faint air of detachment, his gaze flicking between her and his brother as if gauging his reaction.“G-good morning.” Eva’s voice was barely a whisper, reminding them all she was truly awake.“Oh, Eva…” Nathalia choked on a sob, practically running toward the bed, her arms spread wide for a hug. “It’s two in the afternoon,” she added, laughter and tears mingling in her words as she reached for her friend.“I’m so glad you
Edwin rolled his eyes, staring down at her. “I’m older than you, Nathy. Whether he asked me or not, you still have to go.”Nathalia turned and glared back at him without saying anything, but it was obvious that she was stubbornly standing her ground.Eric let out a sigh and decided to put an end to the petty argument between both siblings. Did they not realize the boss’s woman had just woken up?“I’ll get it,” He said, stepping out to fetch the cup of water that had started the entire argument.A moment later, the door opened and Eric returned with a cup, filled to the brim with water. He walked past the two siblings and walked towards Damien before handing the cup to Damien. “The dispenser was literally right outside the door,” He muttered, rolling his eyes as he glanced at both Edwin and Nathalia. With how much they’d argued, one might think it had been miles away.Nathalia who clearly heard Shane pouted and ignored him. Her focus was turned back to her friend and when she glance
His voice was soft but insistent as he asked, “Where did you learn to wield a gun like that?” He kept his tone gentle, his eyes warm and steady as they held hers, a silent reassurance that she was safe with him. He hoped, prayed, that his open expression would draw her out, that she’d finally trust him enough to let him in.The quiet intimacy between them stunned his younger siblings, who stood watching, wide-eyed. Nathalia had already glimpsed this side of her brother, the softness and vulnerability he reserved only for Eva, yet seeing it again still took her by surprise. Beside her, Edwin was speechless, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. He’d never thought his usually stoic, no-nonsense brother was capable of this kind of gentle devotion. Who would have guessed that beneath his brother’s composed, polished exterior was a man willing to give his whole heart to someone like Eva?“I-” Already knowing what was going to come out of her, his voice grew firmer as he cut her off, “Don’t tr
Across from her, Edwin leaned forward, anticipation lighting up his expression. He’d long been curious to know about this crazy lady. Ever since the warehouse incident, he was now incredibly wary of Eva due to her abilities. Most of her kills of the men were clean shots that resulted in instant deaths! Also given the mysterious influence she held over his brother. Hearing her story now, he felt a strange, nervous excitement, almost as if he were about to glimpse a secret hidden from everyone else.This type of woman would be suitable to be the future Madam of the Cross family. Even though they were not part of the underworld, the power the Cross family possessed was enough to have a strong-willed woman beside Damien. It has been a long time since he came across someone that seemed experienced to go on a ruthless rampage. However, seeing how possessive and overprotective his brother was of this woman, he doubted Damien would ever allow her to take even a single step towards any kind
“What?” Nathalia was shocked and surprised at the same time when she heard her best friend. She was not a country bumpkin to not know who the Black family was in california. “I never heard of the Black family having a direct granddaughter in their family except for the granddaughter from the extended family. So you’re telling me that Aunt Evelyn is the only daughter of the patriarch that died a few years ago. How come I wasn't able to figure this out.” “That's because you are a bit slow when it comes to using your head, little sister.” Edwin suddenly remarked with a taunting smile as he patted her on the head.“How dare you insult me like that, you brute!" Nathalia angrily smacked his hand away, making him chuckle at her.“After we finished highschool, I was sent here to live with my maternal family because of my father's selfish wish for me to become an heir. I'm sure It's no surprise for you guys that the Black family is involved in the underworld and they are one of the top fami
She remembered that night clearly, stepping into the same familiar black helicopter on the top floor of the building, carrying nothing but the clothes on her back, the cold seat pressing into her shoulders. “I wasn’t thinking straight. I didn’t care where I was going, didn’t care what I would do—I just needed to get away. I wanted to leave Miami behind and never look back.”Her hand clenched, nails digging into her palm as she remembered the desperation in her decision. One day, she had looked into a mirror and barely recognized the woman staring back—haunted eyes, thin and gaunt, an almost feral determination to chase after Mark. She was a shadow of herself, driven mad by heartbreak and despair.“Grandpa Smith noticed my condition,” she continued, her voice steadier now. “He arranged for me to disappear, to heal somewhere where I wouldn’t be found.” She looked at each of them, her eyes darkening as memories resurfaced. “For the next few months, I went back again and lived within the