004

Leonardo Marquez

We were just stepping into the car when Max, my assistant, called out beside me.

“Boss,” he said, holding up a phone. “You have a call from the hospital.”

I didn’t hesitate. I took the phone from him immediately and answered before pressing it to my ear. The moment I heard the doctor’s voice, the knot in my stomach began to loosen.

“She’s awake, she woke up this morning,” the doctor said.

I felt the relief flow through me, but it was quickly replaced by a faint unease.

“How is she?” I asked, keeping my voice steady, hiding the rush of emotions in them.

The doctor’s tone was even, but there was something unmistakable in her words. “She’s... not handling it well. She’s breaking down after learning of the loss of her baby. And her husband not showing up made it even worse.”

My jaw clenched, and heat spread across my chest. I had known that bastard wouldn’t show, but hearing it out loud still hit me like a punch to the gut. How could he treat her like that?

I sighed heavily to control my anger, “Make sure she’s emotionally stable. Do whatever you need to do, and let me know if there's anything else.” I ordered, but my voice was colder than I intended, but I didn’t care. She didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve any of it.

Doctor Emily hesitated, and then she said, “Ah... Yes, she also asked of the stranger who saved her and brought her to the hospital.”

I narrowed my eyes, as my grip on the phone tightened, “I hope she didn’t get anything out of you?” it came out as more of a warning than a question.

“No, Mr Marquez, I’ve kept everything under wraps,” she replied quickly,

I let out a breath, feeling the tightness in my chest easing just a little. “Good. Keep me updated. If she needs anything, anything at all, you let me know, okay?”

“Yes, of course,” She responded, and I hung up without another word.

Leaning back against the seat, I pressed my hand to my forehead. The weight of everything hit me again.

She was awake. But that bastard—her so-called husband—had abandoned her.

Remembering the fright that has clawed my chest when I got the information that her husband was seen going out with someone unconscious was enough to invoke a heart attack, and when It was made known to me that she was still in there, it felt as if my heart had escaped me.

I had driven at a maddening speed to her house, but it hurt me when I saw her on the floor in her own blood. I had taken her to the hospital.

However, it eats me the most every time I come to visit her in the hospital, watching her as she laid almost lifeless on the bed.

My thoughts were cut short when Max's voice broke through my thoughts, “Should I turn back and go to the hospital, sir?”

I sighed, my eyes still fixed on the road ahead. “No. There’s no need to go there today.”

Max paused, then glanced at me, sensing my mood. “This might be your chance to win over her boss. Or how long do you plan to keep this up? Helping her in the dark like this, while that bastard takes the credit for everything like he usually does?”

I felt my teeth clench, my gaze hardening as I stared out the window. I didn't say anything at first, letting the anger settle deep within me before I answered.

“It’s not time yet for her to know it’s me,” I said firmly. This wasn’t just something I could rush. I had made this decision a long time ago, and I wasn’t about to change it now.

Max shifted uncomfortably in his seat, clearly unsatisfied with my answer. “But, boss...”

I flicked a glance at him, and the look in my eyes silenced whatever else he was going to say next.

“Seems like you’ve got too much idle time on your hands. Since it was like that, I think the villas need cleaning. Maybe you’d like to go and do them?”

Max’s expression changed instantly, his face flushing slightly. “Understood, boss. My apologies, I just feel it might be a good idea to keep an eye on her, but since you say that, your decision is absolutely great sir.” he muttered, and quickly turned his attention to the front, without saying any other word.

I leaned back in my seat and shut my eyes, my mind drifting against my will, though I couldn’t seem to escape the pull of thoughts about her. I had done everything in my power to stay out of the spotlight, to watch over her from the shadows. But the pain of seeing that bastard hurting her every single time angers me and eats at me so much every day.

So much I want to kill that bastard and take her for myself, make her mine, but it's not time yet,

“The meeting with your new acquired company employee, sir? Should I take you there? Or just continue to drive to the company instead?”

I tightened my grip on the phone, as my mind flicked back to business. “Yes. Let’s go to the new company. It’s time to meet them. I’m sure they’ve all been informed?”

Max nodded. “I made sure that all the employees have been called. Everyone knows about the acquisition now. And I'm sure they’re expecting you.”

I gave a small nod of approval and let my gaze shift toward the mansion disappearing in the distance.

The business side of things has always been a distraction for me. It was a way to focus my mind when I couldn’t stop thinking about her. But lately, everything was blurring together, making it hard for me to stay detached when she kept invading my thoughts every single time.

But one thing was certain—the day would come when everything would fall into place.

For now, I had to finish what I’d started. Both in the boardroom and my own twisted heart.