Camilla paced restlessly around the room, frustration boiling within her as she tried to make sense of her mother’s actions. Locked away without explanation, she felt a surge of anger towards her mother for confining her in such a manner. Each minute dragged on, exacerbating the whirlwind of questions swirling in her mind.
Suddenly, a knock echoed through the room, drawing Camilla towards the door with a mixture of apprehension and hope. As the door swung open, her mother entered, eliciting a sharp retort from Camilla.
“What the hell is wrong with you??” she exclaimed, moving to leave the room, only to be halted by the presence of intimidating figures clad in black outside.
Frustration bubbled up inside her as she begrudgingly retreated back into the confines of her room, her mother’s words ringing hollow in her ears.
“You should stay here, and it’s for your own good,” her mother insisted, prompting Camilla to roll her eyes in disbelief.
“Why? Why should I stay? For goodness sake, Phoenix just gave birth, and I was supposed to be there. Do you think Rome would approve of me leaving Phoenix all by herself in the hospital??” she demanded, her voice tinged with desperation and anger.
“You should be given the worst mother in the universe title,” Camilla’s words dripped with disdain, but Mrs. Dante remained unfazed by her daughter’s anger.
“Phoenix stole your nephew and she wants to sell him off for 5 million dollars, but they eventually caught her,” Mrs. Dante revealed, her tone matter-of-fact.
Camilla’s eyes widened in shock, her mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of the accusation. “I think you should stop joking with me right now,” she pleaded, hoping against hope that her mother’s words were nothing more than a cruel prank.
“I would not joke with that kind of thing, especially not the wellbeing of my grandson,” Mrs. Dante retorted, her expression stern and unwavering.
“Phoenix would never do that, I know her,” Camilla protested, clinging to her belief in her friend’s innocence.
“Well, you don’t know her too much. Did she ever tell you that she stole my necklace, infact our family treasure?” Mrs. Dante’s accusation cut through the air like a knife, leaving Camilla speechless with shock.
“No, she didn’t,” Camilla whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the turmoil of emotions swirling inside her.
“Yes, your good-for-nothing friend is a thief to beware of her,” Mrs. Dante declared before exiting the room, leaving Camilla alone with her shattered perceptions and a heavy weight of uncertainty hanging over her.
~~
The last thing I remembered was Rome’s frantic screams and the realization that I was bleeding profusely. Panic and pain enveloped me as I struggled to stay conscious.
“Oh lord,” I murmured softly before darkness overtook me.
Slowly, I began to regain consciousness, my eyes fluttering open to the sight of a sterile white ceiling. The sharp ache coursing through my body reminded me of the ordeal I had just endured it felt as if I had just given birth again.
With a heavy sigh, I turned my gaze to the side, meeting Rome’s concerned eyes. We exchanged no words, instead we just stare at each other.
“Are you better now?” he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern, though I couldn’t help but wonder who he was addressing
“Yes,” I murmured softly, summoning the strength to sit up despite the lingering pain.
As Rome lapsed into silence once more, I found myself lost in my own thoughts, my gaze fixated on my trembling hands. The sudden sound of the door opening drew my attention, and my heart skipped a beat as Beatrix rushed into the room, enveloping me in a tight embrace.
A warmth spread through me as I returned her hug, feeling a wave of relief wash over me at the sight of her familiar face. I had missed her more than words could express.
“Are you okay?” Beatrix’s voice trembled with emotion as she pulled back, tears glistening in her eyes. I reached up to gently wipe them away, urging her not to cry.
“Don’t cry,” I whispered, my heart aching at the sight of her tears. But her gaze shifted to Rome, and I could sense the tension bristling between them.
“Don’t worry,” I reassured her, meeting her gaze with a comforting smile. “Everything is going to be okay.” It was a promise I desperately hoped to fulfill, despite the uncertainty that still loomed over us. Beatrix nodded in response, squeezing me tightly once more in a silent display of solidarity.
“I got you food,” she announced, a small glimmer of brightness returning to her eyes. I couldn’t help but smile gratefully at her thoughtfulness.
Just then, Neo entered the room, his presence bringing a sense of calmness with him as he approached the bed.
“How are you feeling?” Neo’s voice was gentle as he stood by my side, his concern evident in his expression.
“Better,” I murmured, returning his smile, grateful for the support of my friends and family during this challenging time.
Rome’s gaze swept over us, his eyes lingering on Beatrix and Neo before finally settling on me. For a moment, our eyes locked, and I saw a flicker of the man I once knew, the man who loved me.
But it was quickly replaced by a cold, hard stare, his jaw clenched in anger. He turned away, his broad shoulders squared, and walked out of the room, leaving the three of us in an uncomfortable silence.
I felt a pang of sadness and regret as I watched him go, knowing that I had hurt him deeply. Beatrix’s grip on my hand tightened, and Neo’s expression turned sympathetic.
“Don’t worry, Phoenix,” Neo said softly. “We’re here for you. We’ll get through this together.”
I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards my friend and sister. But as I looked at the empty space where Rome had stood, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of loss and longing.
I knew I had to make things right, but I didn’t know where to start. For now, I was stuck in this hospital bed, surrounded by the people I loved, but with a heart heavy with sorrow and regret.
~~
“Now tell me,” she demanded, fixing her gaze on Sebastian.
“Why the fuck didn’t you kill her?” Her words were sharp, laced with impatience. Sebastian met her gaze with a sigh, weighing his response carefully.
“A warning should suffice for now. If she crosses the line again, we’ll take more drastic measures,” he explained, his tone measured yet firm.
She regarded him for a moment before rolling her eyes in exasperation. “I see you’re calling the shots now,” she remarked, her steps purposeful as she closed the distance between them, the sound of her heels echoing in the room.
“It would raise suspicions if we eliminate all three of them Jess, Phoenix, and the baby,” Sebastian continued, offering his rationale for their decision.
She considered his words for a moment before settling back into her chair. “You’re not entirely incompetent,” she conceded, retrieving a cigarette from the nearby pot and taking a drag, the smoke curling around her as she exhaled.
As the door creaked open, Mrs. Dante’s figure emerged into the dimly lit room, her presence commanding attention. With a slow, deliberate stride, she made her way towards her, a hint of mystery trailing behind her.
“Why are you here?” she inquired, her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, the cigarette dangling loosely between her fingers.
“I came to tell you something,” Mrs. Dante responded, her tone carrying a weight of importance that demanded acknowledgment.
“Phoenix doesn’t have to be eliminated just because Rome has turned his back on her; in fact, his disdain for her runs deep,” Mrs. Dante explained, her words hanging in the air like a heavy cloud.
“And the baby,” she continued, her voice softening with concern, “doesn’t deserve to suffer the same fate.”
A wry smile crept across her lips as she processed the information, the flicker of amusement dancing in her eyes.
“You’re quite the comedian,” she remarked, rising from her seat with a fluid motion, the cigarette extinguished with a casual flick of her wrist.
” You don’t have to do anything to him; he is an innocent child,” she implored, her voice soft but firm, eyes pleading for understanding.
“See who speaks about innocence,” she retorted, her tone laced with bitter irony, lips curling into a sardonic smile.
“He’s too small, and Rome is losing his mind over this,” Mrs. Dante intervened, her worry etched on furrowed brows.
“Who cares if Rome is losing his mind?” she scoffed, shoulders tensing with defiance, her resolve unyielding.
“And I love my grandchild dearly, please, do it for me,” Mrs. Dante pleaded, desperation seeping into her words.
“For you? Stop playing the fool, Mary,” she snapped, frustration simmering beneath the surface, a flicker of anger flashing in her eyes.
“He’s my only grandson,” Mrs. Dante whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, hands clasped tightly in a silent plea.
“And he’s my son,” Georgia fired back, her words sharp as knives.
Tbc