Cassius was on his way back to his mansion when Tatiana’s call came in. She hadn’t called him since the day he left, and he hadn’t called either.
The fact that she had thought, even for a moment, that he was behind her sister’s death made his blood boil. He understood her side of it too, but he couldn’t help the anger he felt.
When he answered the call, he was greeted by Tatiana’s whimper and a familiar voice: Zero.
Without hesitation, Cassius tracked Tatiana’s phone and saw she was close by. He sped up, parked his car in a discreet spot, and made his way to them.
“Your punishment just doubled, woman. Do you think he’ll be that quick to save you?” Zero taunted, but a cold, deep voice interrupted him, making his heart skip a beat.
“I’m already here, asshole,” Cassius growled, his eyes cold as he saw the blood on Tatiana’s head.
Zero immediately drew a knife from his pocket and swung it behind him, but it was a fatal mistake. Cassius twisted and broke Zero’s arm, his eyes darkening further as he saw the blood on Tatiana’s head again.
“Fuck,” Cassius cursed as his head exploded with anger. He sent a brutal punch to Zero’s face, breaking his nose and injuring the same jaw as before.
Zero fell to the floor, spitting out blood.
Tatiana remained frozen; this was the first time she had ever seen Cassius’s anger. She watched as he grabbed Zero, punched him again, and broke his fingers when Zero tried to retaliate with another knife.
“Argh!!” Zero growled in pain as Cassius grabbed his face and slammed it into the floor.
He might kill him!
Tatiana’s eyes widened. “Cassius!”
Her voice stopped him. Zero’s face was unrecognizable, bloodied as he lay weakly on the floor. However, Cassius stood upright, his fists covered in blood.
Two cars arrived, and several men dressed in white and black suits stepped out. They marched forward and took Zero.
“Boss,” the one leading the men bowed to Cassius.
Tatiana watched everything unfold.
‘Have you seen the dark side of him? I guess not.’
Tatiana recalled Zero’s words.
“I’ll talk to you later,” Cassius said to the man in a low, deep voice as he cleaned his bloody hands with a clean cloth. The man bowed again and left with the others. Zero was placed in the trunk, all tied up.
As Cassius made his way to his car, Tatiana spoke up.
“Thank you.”
He halted without a word, his hands tucked into his pockets. He began to walk towards his car again, but she spoke louder this time.
“I’m sorry!” she called out, and he stopped, his back still facing her. “I’m sorry for doubting you. You should understand my side too. I’ve felt so insecure, having been betrayed so many times by people I called family. People I sacrificed my dreams for, only to have them stab me in the back. But I-” Tatiana took a deep breath and added, “I don’t want to destroy the relationship we’ve built. At least for Dylan… please.”
Cassius continued walking, and Tatiana’s heart sank. However, when he got to his car, he opened the door and met her eyes.
Tatiana pressed her lips together, knowing what she needed to do. She got into the car.
As he drove her back to the mansion, he remained silent, and Tatiana didn’t bother him. His actions alone showed that they were at least somewhat okay. Besides, the anger caused by Zero was still evident in his eyes.
Once they arrived at the mansion, Butler Conrad informed them that Dylan was already asleep.
“Bring the first aid kit,” Cassius ordered.
Soon, Tatiana was seated on the couch, Cassius before her with a first aid kit.
“Thanks, but I can do it myself-”
“Don’t move,” he ordered when she tried to pull her head away.
Tatiana swallowed and watched as he gently applied ointment. Each time she winced in pain, Cassius’s jaw clenched.
His face was close, his blue eyes focused on her wound. She couldn’t deny it-Cassius was the most handsome man she had ever met. His features were just too perfect.
When those captivating eyes locked with hers, her cheeks burned, and she quickly looked away.
He continued treating her, and she glanced at him again. Her mind drifted to their kiss, and she blushed harder.
After he finished cleaning the wound, he dressed it with a small bandage.
“Thanks,” Tatiana whispered as she watched him stand.
“Sleep here. It’s late,” he said and left for his room.
“Still cold,” Tatiana mumbled. When she got to the room prepared for her, she told Jolene and the others what happened.
Zero still hadn’t confessed who sent him and didn’t seem like he would, even if death was the only thing facing him.
—
“It was a heart attack. It was sudden. Had she been facing heart issues before?” the doctor asked Nathan, who was seated before him with a calm expression.
“No. I haven’t seen her struggling with heart issues before,” Nathan replied.
The doctor nodded thoughtfully and made a note on the chart in front of him. “I see. And did she have any other health conditions that you’re aware of? High blood pressure, diabetes, anything like that?”
Nathan shook his head. “No, she was always pretty healthy. She exercised regularly and ate well. That’s why this is such a shock. Perhaps this hospital doesn’t live up to the hype. Tell me the truth, Doctor, what really happened.”
“Sir Nathan-”
“Don’t you dare lie. That won’t be funny,” Nathan warned coldly, and the doctor swallowed hard.
“Uhmm… we noticed Mrs. Redmond-”
“Paisley,” Nathan corrected.
“Mrs. Paisley,” the doctor corrected himself. “She might have received the wrong medication.” Nathan’s eyes narrowed. “But we are investigating the possibility of a medical error. You need not worry-”
“Need not worry? You’re telling me not to worry after my wife almost lost her life under your care? How inconsiderate of you, Doctor. I could sue this hospital and bring it down if I wanted-”
“Please, Mr. Nathan. We really apologize for what ha-”
“I’m taking my wife from here and finding a better hospital for her. One overseas should be a good idea,” Nathan said, and the doctor’s eyes darted in fear.
“We are so sorry, sir.”
Nathan stood and adjusted his suit before leaving for Paisley’s ward. He found her lying weakly on the bed. Her eyes and mouth could barely move.
When her gaze met Nathan’s, her face turned pale, and she tried to move but couldn’t.
Nathan’s lips curled into a deadly smirk. “I told you not to dare me, woman. If you had signed the papers without acting stubborn, you wouldn’t be in this position.”
Paisley tried to speak, but she was too weak to make a sound.
‘Help!’ she screamed inwardly, but her voice betrayed her.
Nathan leaned forward, his face close to hers, and Paisley felt her breath hitch. This man could decide to strangle her and end her life right here.
Nathan kissed her neck. “You’ve enjoyed the privilege of being my wife enough. That’s why you decided to misuse it.”
Tears fell from Paisley’s eyes as she sensed the danger.
‘Please,’ she pleaded inwardly.
“Don’t worry, my love,” he whispered into her ear, his warm breath hitting her neck. “I won’t divorce you. I’ll treat you so well that you’ll wish you had signed those papers, wife.”