THE REOPENED WOUND.

As the elevator to the apartment dinged open. Tiffany hurriedly put in the passcode and entered their apartment.

"Mom?" She screamed, dropping her coat and bags as she rushed into the living room. Relief struck her heart as she found her mother sitting peacefully on the couch, smiling at the television.

Tiffany rushed to her, hugging her tightly, tears pouring from her eyes. "I thought I lost you, Mom! Thank God you're okay! Thank God you're okay!" She cried in her mother's arms.

But Victoria was too focused on the television, not minding Tiffany, who cried nonstop.

"Let me see. Did he hurt you? Mom, do you feel any pain?" She asked, but Victoria said nothing.

Tiffany looked to the other side. Noami looked worried, her eyes flicking to the bouquet of flowers sitting on the dining table.

"I'll be back soon, okay?" She said softly, getting up and walking towards Noami.

"It's him. He dropped her off. He knows you live here," Noami said, handing her a small note.

"My lovely Ashley, you're a woman now, doing so well. Your mother and I bonded well, like old times. It's good to see my family happy, but why without me?"

Tiffany’s heart ached. Her ears began to ring, and everything suddenly began to spin. Everything she had built to be away from him, was it all a waste? She still couldn't protect her mother from Johnson Chase, her biological father.

"Tiffany!" Naomi and Kai's voice calling onto her was the last thing she heard as she blacked out.

The beeping sound of the hospital machine filled the room as Tiffany’s heavy eyelids fluttered open. Her eyes met with the white walls of a hospital room. Then, the fluorescent lights make everything seem too bright. She blinked, disoriented, her head pounding and her throat dry.

"Tiffany," a soft, familiar voice called out. She turned her head to see Noami sitting beside her, clutching her hand tightly. Relief spread across her face seeing her awake, but there was worry in her eyes.

"You’re awake," Noami said, exhaling deeply. "Thank God."

"What... happened?" Tiffany’s voice was raspy. She tried to sit up, but her body felt so weak and heavy.

"You collapsed," Noami explained, brushing a strand of hair out of Tiffany's face. "We couldn’t wake you up, so Kai and I rushed you here. The doctor said it was exhaustion... and stress. You scared us, Tiff."

Tiffany closed her eyes, the memory flooding back. Her mother is on the couch. The note—those haunting words from Johnson Chase. Her chest tightened at the thought.

"My Mom," she whispered, her eyes snapping open. "Where’s my mom? Is she safe?"

"She’s fine," Noami assured her quickly. Her eyes fell as she glanced around. "He booked her into a friend's hospital in London, but she's currently in the next room; he wants you to see her before she leaves..." Noami paused, her eyes lit with a little excitement. "In his private jet!" She exclaimed softly.

Tiffany’s shoulders relaxed slightly. "He did? Where's he?" Her stomach twisted and her eyes snapped wide as she remembered the note. "The note..." she began, her voice faltering.

Noami hesitated, her grip on Tiffany’s hand tightening. "It’s real. Johnson was there. He left it. We requested the footage. He was there."

Tiffany’s breathing quickened, the walls of the room seeming to close in around her. "He knows where we live. He was with her. I failed her."

"Tiff, look at me," Noami said firmly, leaning closer. "You didn’t fail her. You’ve done everything to protect her. You’re the strongest person I know. You even got into a contract marriage for her. You've done well, I'm sure mom wouldn't be mad at you."

Tiffany swallowed hard, tears welling up in her eyes. "I just... I thought I could keep him away. Far away from her, away from us, Noami, why does he keep following us? Why is he back, and it feels like everything I’ve done to stay away from him is falling apart."

Noami squeezed her hand, her voice soft. "You tried, Tiff, you really did."

Tiffany looked into Noami’s eyes, her heart heavy. Noami smiled, brushing away a tear from Tiffany’s cheek.

"Kai is outside," Noami whispered, and Tiffany's face softened at the sound of his name. Her eyes darted towards the door and back at Noami. "Yes, that door."

"I'm not sure. I want to see him right now, Noami," she whispered with her voice hoarse.

Noami nodded, standing and pressing a gentle kiss to Tiffany’s forehead before stepping out. "Why don't you rest first, okay?" Noami said with a reassuring voice.

The sound of the door creaking open barely registered in Tiffany’s ears as she stared at the ceiling, trying to calm her ragged breaths. It wasn't long before the door opened, and Kai stepped in. His light brown hair was slightly tousled as if he’d been running his hands through it repeatedly. His dark eyes locked on Tiffany.

"Hey," he said softly, approaching her bedside.

Tiffany turned her head, looking at him. She looked towards the door, she had just told Noami she didn't want to see him. How?

Before she could finish analysing her thoughts. Kai sat down beside her. "Are you okay now?" he asked in a low and soothing voice. His gaze searching for any discomfort.

Tiffany remained silent, staring at him. This was the very same man that had sent her packing because she had broken the contract after confessing she loved him, but here he was all loving towards her. An emotion she wasn't sure she needed anymore.

Kai’s jaw tightened, his hand gripping hers more firmly. "Are you sure you're okay? You don't feel any discomfort?"

Tiffany nodded weakly, "I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me," she said, retracting her hands from his.

Kai glanced at her hand and the door, making sure they were alone before speaking. "I’ve already called Peter," he said. "We need to know how he found you, what his games are... we can't let it die, he seems like a threat. We’ll get answers, I promise."

"No, there's no need. There's no need to search," Tiffany stared at him, her chest aching with fear he might figure out her past. "You’ve done so much already, Kai. I don’t want to drag you into this mess any more than I already have."

Kai’s brow furrowed, and he leaned closer, his voice soft. "Tiffany, you’re not dragging me into anything. I chose to be here. For you. For your mom. And I’m not going anywhere."

The room fell silent, and she looked at him. His words, as much as she didn't want them to get to her. They did, but a little fear lingered around those sweet words.

"Why?" Her question came out low and soft. Her eyes caught his. "Why are you suddenly so nice to me? It doesn't make any sense."

As Kai opened his mouth to speak, a sharp knock on the door interrupted, cutting him short. Noami peeked in. "Sorry to interrupt, but the nurse says visiting hours are almost over."

Kai nodded, his eyes never leaving Tiffany’s. "I’ll step out for now, but I’ll be back first thing in the morning," he raised his hands, patting her head gently, his eyes glued to hers.

Outside the hospital, Kai paced at the side of his car, his mind racing. Johnson Chase. He was curious to know who Johnson Chase was and needed to know about Ashley Chase, but he wondered if it would be best he let Tiffany tell him. What he did know about him was enough to make his blood boil.

Kai took out his phone and dialled Peter’s number. The line rang twice before Peter answered.

"Peter," Kai called. His tone was laced with urgency. "I need everything you can find on Johnson Chase. Now."

"Johnson Chase?" Peter asked.

"Yeah. Johnson Chase. He has a daughter, Ashley Chase, his wife should..." He paused, remembering the name Tiffany had called her mother. "Victoria," he muttered, unsure if he was correct. He had run a background check on Tiffany a while ago, but there was nothing linked to her change of name. Tiffany Halton was a whole new identity. He hung up, and his jaw clenched as he stared out the hospital window.