The hospital lights were too white. Too clean for blood and chaos. Too clean for what had just happened in the mansion.
Kiss lay on the bed, her chest rising and falling in a slow, uneven rhythm synced to the machines humming around her. A monitor beeped steadily beside her, echoing a heartbeat that had flatlined twice already.
The air smelled of antiseptic and fear, thick enough it could be sliced .
Adrian hadn't moved. Not once. He sat beside her bed like a man waiting for judgment day, his hand wrapped so tightly around hers that his knuckles gleamed white. If he let go, she might disappear again. Poof. Gone like smoke.
Isaac leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, jaw clenched so hard it ticked.
Augustina sat quietly in the corner chair,
Harmony curled asleep in her lap, tiny chest fluttering with innocent breaths. Even the twins—usually a whirlwind of noise—had gone silent, tucked away with a nurse somewhere down the hall.
No chaos. No laughter. Just waiting. The kind that clawed at your insides.
Adrian leaned forward, his voice a ragged whisper. "Kiss…"
Her fingers twitched in his grip. Eyelids fluttered. Slow. Struggling, like they weighed a thousand pounds.
"…Don't you dare leave me again."
Her lips parted, dry and cracked. "Too… loud…"
A broken breath. But she was alive. Breathing. Fighting.For them.
Adrian exhaled sharply, his forehead dropping onto the back of her hand. "I swear," he muttered, voice cracking at the edges, "you are going to kill me one day. Heart attack. Right here. Because of you."
Isaac let out a long, shaky breath from the door. "She already tried. Bullet to the chest—close enough."
Augustina shot him a glare, sharp as a knife. "Isaac. Not now."
"What? It's true." He uncrossed his arms, rubbing a hand over his face. "We almost lost her. All of us."
Kiss's eyes cracked open then, hazy green slits focusing on Adrian. The moment she locked onto him—brows furrowed faintly. "…
Why are you looking like that? Like I kicked your dog."
Adrian blinked. Then laughed. Once. A broken, watery sound that echoed too loud in the sterile room. "You were shot, Kiss. Almost near your heart . Lost more blood than I thought a person could."
"I noticed." Her voice was a rasp, but the sarcasm cut through like glass. "Felt every damn one."
"You almost died. Flatlined. They shocked you back."
"I didn't." She squeezed his hand weakly, defiant even half-dead. "Still here. Annoying you."
Silence stretched, heavy. Then Isaac scoffed, pushing off the wall. "She's back.
Queen of bad timing and worse jokes."
Adrian ignored him, leaning closer, thumb stroking her knuckles. "Don't joke. Not about this."
"I'm not." Her gaze sharpened, pinning him. Weaker now, but still that fire. "You look wrecked. Means I did something right."
He froze, breath catching. "What?"
"Good," she murmured, eyes half-lidded. "Means you care too much.
Augustina sighed from the corner, shifting Harmony gently. "She really came back just to stress everyone out more. Girl, rest."
Kiss closed her eyes again, but a ghost of a smile tugged her lips. "Where are the kids? Twins? Harmony?"
Isaac answered fast, stepping forward. "Safe. With the nurse down the hall. Guarded. No one gonna touch them."
Her body relaxed a fraction, shoulders easing into the pillows. "Good. Keep it that way."
Adrian squeezed her hand tighter, voice dropping low. "You're not leaving this bed for a while. Doctor's orders. Mine too."
She frowned faintly, one brow arching. "I have work. Empire doesn't run itself."
"No.",he replied sternly.
"That's not your decision, Adrian."
"It is today and maybe forever ." He held her gaze, unyielding. "Yesterday you were bleeding out on our floor. Today? You stay put."
She cracked one eye open, studying him. "…Bossy."
"Yes." He didn't flinch. Leaned in closer, voice softening to a plea. "Stay still, Kiss. Please."
Her gaze lingered, something raw flickering there—vulnerability she rarely showed. Then, barely audible: "…Okay."
Adrian's throat bobbed, but he didn't push. Just held on.
Isaac cleared his throat. "I'll check the perimeter. Make sure no more psychos are lurking." He nodded at Augustina. "You good?"
"Yeah." She rocked Harmony gently. "Go. We've got her."
As Isaac slipped out, Adrian brushed Kiss's hair back, voice thick. "You really scared me. Thought I'd lose you again. For good."
She turned her hand in his, lacing fingers. "Won't happen. Not like that."
"Promise?"
Her eyes met his, steady despite the pain. "Yeah. Promise."
ELSEWHERE – ERIC
The room was cold. Damp concrete walls, flickering fluorescent bulb overhead. Eric woke tied to a metal chair, wrists bound behind him with zip ties that bit into his skin. Blood crusted his hands. His wrist throbbed under a rough bandage, the knife graze from her wild shot.
Footsteps echoed. Heavy. Deliberate.
Isaac first, filling the doorway like a storm cloud. Then Adrian. No Kiss. Not yet—she was too busy clinging to life in the hospital.
Adrian stepped forward, hands in pockets. No expression. Just cold, assessing eyes.
"You attacked my house. Nearly killed my family. Nearly killed Kiss."
Eric lifted his head, smirking through split lips. Weak, but defiant. "She was mine first. Always will be."
Isaac lunged instantly, fist cocked. "Wrong fucking thing to say, you piece of—"
Adrian raised a hand, calm as ice. "No. Let him talk."
Isaac froze, breathing hard, but stepped back. Eric laughed softly, a wet, ragged sound. "See? He knows. She was never yours, Adrian. She just… got lost. Wandered into your mess."
Adrian tilted his head, voice even. "You're mistaken."
"I saw it," Eric pressed, eyes wild. "The way she looked at me before she left. Begging. Needy. Mine."
Isaac scoffed, fists clenching. "She left you because you're insane. Betrayed her by going for her stepsister.
Eric ignored him, leaning forward as far as the ties allowed. "She came back because of me. Dreamed of me. You were just a detour."
Silence. Thick, suffocating.
Adrian crouched slowly, eye-level now. Inches away. "No." Quiet. Deadly. "She came back because she survived you and the monsters around her .Clawed her way out of the helplessness she was feeling. Built something real. With me."
It hit like a gut punch. Eric's smirk twitched, faltered. Eyes flickering with doubt and sadness for the first time.
"You think you owned her?" Adrian continued, voice low, unrelenting. "You broke a girl. I got a woman. Stronger. Fiercer. Because she left your poison behind."
Eric's breath hitched. "She loved me—"
"She pitied you." Adrian stood smoothly. "Take him away."
Isaac frowned, grabbing Eric's chair. "That's it?
Adrian turned for the door, not looking back. "He's already dead. He just doesn't know it yet."
Eric thrashed as Isaac dragged him out, screams echoing down the hall. "She'll come back! You'll see!"
But the door slammed. And in the silence, Eric's world cracked—just a little. Just enough.
ASHLEY'S POV
Somewhere far away— a shadowed safehouse on the city's edge. Rain pattered against grimy windows. Ashley paced the dim living room, phone clutched like a lifeline. No calls. No word from her father's right hand man. Nothing.
A door creaked open. Slowly.
She froze, heart slamming.
Footsteps. Soft. Measured.
Then—a voice. So familiar.
"Ashley."
Her body went rigid. Breath stopped.
"No. Impossible.",she thought.
She spun. The man stepped into the weak light from a single lamp. Older. Gray at the temples. But those eyes—unmistakable.
"…Dad?"
The word tore out, broken. Foreign in her mouth after years of graveside lies and disappearance.
He smiled faintly, lines etching deeper. "Hello, Ashley."
She stumbled forward, hands shaking as she grabbed his jacket. "You're alive—you're actually—where have you been? I thought you were dead! Funeral, everything—I mourned you!"
Words tumbled out in chaos, a dam bursting.
He raised a hand gently, steadying her. "Calm down. Breathe.",he said calmly.
She didn't. Couldn't. Gripped his arm harder, nails digging. "You left me! Do you know what happened? After you died,uncle took me in like his daughter but couldn't love me like how you and mom will love me."
"Sit down," he said softly, guiding her to the worn couch.
She hesitated, trembling. Then collapsed, staring up at him like he might vanish. Still shaking. Still staring.
"Talk to me," he said, sitting across, calm as ever. "Slowly. From the beginning."
Her eyes filled instantly, hot tears spilling. "I missed you. Every day. Thought I was alone."
"I know."
"You left me with nothing."
"I know."
"You abandoned me!" Voice cracking higher.
"I know."
Silence fell, her sobs choking the air. She leaned forward, desperate. "Where were you? All this time?"
He exhaled long and slow. "Protecting what was left of this family. From the inside. Faking it all—kept you safe without you knowing."
Her brows furrowed. "What does that mean? Kiss ruined me!"
He didn't bite. Instead: "What happened with Kiss? Exactly."
That name. Everything shifted. Ashley's expression hardened—then cracked wide open.
"She humiliated me," she spat, words rushing. "Took Adrian. Made me look weak in front of everyone—the empire, our circle. I tried to stop her, push back, but she always stood taller. Always won."
Her voice rose, fists balling. "She thinks she's better! Owns everything—Adrian, the business, people's loyalty. Like I'm nothing!"
Her father raised a hand. "Slow down, Ashley. Breathe."
"She took everything!" she snapped, standing again. Pacing. "My life! My place!"
"Did she?" asked her dad,camly,piercing.
Ashley blinked, halted. "…What?"
He leaned back, eyes steady. "Did she take him from you? Or did he choose her?"
She froze. "That's not— she manipulated him! Twisted everything!"
"Or he stopped choosing you." Simple. Brutal.
Her breathing turned ragged, chest heaving. "No. He loves me. Deep down."
Her father studied her carefully, sadly. "That's not love, Ashley."
Her eyes widened. "What?"
"It's obsession. Jealousy. You didn't lose him—you never had him. Not truly."
"No…" Whisper now, world tilting.
"And when you couldn't have him," he added gently, "you turned it into revenge. Hurt her. Hurt yourself."
Tears flooded, hot and unrelenting. "I just wanted him to see me. Choose me. Like before."
"I know."
"I didn't mean to hurt her—not like that."
"I know."
"I just wanted him to stay. To need me."
"I know."
She broke then. Completely. Collapsed back onto the couch, shoulders shaking, sobs wrenching from her gut. "I loved him, Dad. I did."
He stood slowly, crossed to her side. Sat close. Hand on her head, stroking like she was ten again. "No. You loved the idea of him choosing you. The power. The validation."
She sobbed harder, face buried in her hands. "I ruined everything. Everyone hates me now. Chris gone off the rails, Adrian's hers, and I'm… nothing."
Silence stretched, rain drumming harder outside.
Then—his voice, soft but firm. "You can still fix it."
Her head snapped up, eyes red-rimmed. "…How? It's too late."
"Apologize."
She laughed, bitter and broken through tears. "To her? She'll kill me. Laugh while doing it."
"She won't."
"She hates me! After everything—trying to convince Chris to love her, my schemes "
"She won't," he repeated, unwavering. "I know enough about her. She's not cruel without reason. Hurt her back. Let her heal."
Ashley shook her head wildly. "You don't know her. She's a monster."
"I know enough." He cupped her face gently, forcing eye contact. "And I know you're better than this version of you."
More silence. Her breaths slowed, hiccuping.
"I'm taking you to Italy," he said softly.
Her eyes widened. "What? No—"
"You need distance. From this place. From him. From her. From everything that twisted you into revenge."
"I don't want to leave him," she whispered, voice small. "He's all I—"
"You already have." Gentle, but the truth sliced deep.
That broke her again. Fresh tears. She curled into herself, lost. Empty. Still clinging to a love that was never hers.
He stood, pulling her up. "We leave tonight. To start clean ."
"Dad, please—"
"This isn't punishment." He pulled her into a hug, first in years. "It's your restart. Let it go, Ashley. Or it'll destroy you."
She trembled in his arms. For the first time—no argument. Just quiet surrender.
As they gathered her things, the rain eased. But inside her, something fractured stayed fractured. What broke wouldn't mend easy. But what remained? A flicker. Hope, maybe. Or just survival.
Back in the hospital, hours later—
Kiss stirred again, machines beeping steady. Adrian hadn't slept. Still there.
"Adrian…" Her voice stronger now.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks. For… staying."
He smiled faintly, weary. "Always."
Outside, Isaac watched the perimeter as he thought of how to make Eric suffer for what he did.