CHAPTER THREE 3

A WEEK LATER…

The warm rays of the afternoon sun spread across the sky, falling gently on Laura’s face as she opened her crystal clear eyes. A week had passed since the incident, and her strength had slowly returned. She pushed herself out of the swimming pool, water dripping down her glowing skin as she adjusted the straps of her bikini. Her hourglass figure caught the light, and her long hair clung wet against her back. Her chest rose and fell quietly as if the water had washed away the memories of the past week. Her phone buzzed on the chair and she picked it up, her damp fingers brushing the screen.

‘Hello’ she softly spoke.

‘Laura, how are you feeling now?’ Michelle’s cheerful voice rang through the speaker. Laura smiled.

‘I’m doing much better my love. The doctors said I needed rest and it’s been helping, honestly.’

‘I’m glad to hear that.’ Michelle replied warmly. ‘Dance practice starts tomorrow since you are good now. I hope you can make it?’

Laura hesitated for a moment, then nodded to herself. ‘Yes…I’ll be there. I don’t want to be the reason why the ceremony should be delayed’

‘Okay then love…’ Michelle laughed. ‘Oh, by the way, why don’t you come over tonight? Monica and I are having a sleep over. Just us girls. We can catch up before tomorrow.’

Laura’s eyes lit up.

‘That sounds perfect. Ill pack a bag and meet you soon.’

After they ended the call, Laura leaned on the chair, a wave of relief washing over her. She thought back to the hospital- a blur of white coats, cold machines, and hurried voices. The nurses had given her into the emergency room, checked her pulse, given her fluids through an IV, and made sure her body regained its strength. For days, she couldn’t move much and had been weak. But worse than all the needles, worse than the weakness, was the emptiness of knowing that her parents never came despite knowing her condition. Victor sent a letter to her and Cynthia came all the way just to be by her side. That was quite comforting but she still wished they sacrificed their work to see her.

Brushing off her thoughts, she slipped into her robe, picked her phone and asked Lois, her personal maid to pack up some stuffs for her sleep over. She badly needed a renewed energy by tomorrow.

The next morning, sunlight washed over the students’ faces as the final grades made their way into the dance hall. Laura walked in slowly with Michelle and Monica by her side. She wore a red ball dress that caught the light with every step, her hair tied neatly back, her skin glowing after her recovery. Michelle and Monica looked dead gorgeous, chuckling slightly at some silly joke and Laura managed to smile too-though her heart beat raced a little faster than normal.

Scanning around, her eyes clocked with Jace’s. For a moment, silence swallowed her laughter and his sharp gaze bore into hers. Unreadable, unyielding. He didn’t blink or look away but stared right into her eyes coldly. Laura exhaled, shifting her gaze to Diamant. Relief spread across her face remembering how he caught her during the dance last week. She was grateful for that and reminded herself to thank him once practice is over. The teacher soon entered, clapping her hands together.

‘Pairs, everyone! Practice starts now!’

Every one quickly took their positions with their partners as music filled the hall. They moved gracefully-step left, step right, forward, and back. Hand slipped to waists, bodies twirled, and with each turn, female partners are exchanged. Laura tried to focus on the rhythm, her steps careful, and her breath steady. But then-her hand brushed against a familiar grip. She looked up and it was him. Jace.

That was when the teacher’s voice rang out ‘permanent partners from here on’

Her chest tightened. His hand rested firmly on her waist as they moved to the music. His jaw clenched, his eyes unreadable as they feasted on her. The tension was deep and every step Laura took was heavy. Every spin made her nervous and by the time practice ended at noon, relief was all over her. She pushed him slightly and rushed out of the hall to get some time to herself.

Back in class, she sat with her head on the desk, trying to calm herself. Soon every one returned. Diamant, Jace, and Alex walked in together and the class filled with little noises. Michelle and Monica joined her and after a brief moment, she stood up to thank Diamant properly but before she could get the words out, Jace’s mocking voice cut through.

‘Well, look who is suddenly strong enough to dance.’ he sneered. ‘Careful, don’t want you fainting on us again. Or maybe that’s your thing now-collapsing for attention?’

‘Jace...’ Diamant softly called obviously surprised he was saying that but Michelle snapped moving forward.

‘Jace stop.’ But he smirked stepping closer to Laura. She lifted her head, forcing herself to stand tall and face him to his height but he still overshadowed her.

‘Say whatever you want. I am still here, not weak and still standing.’ He smirked.

‘Prove it then’

Something in her snapped-she poked his chest with her finger, hard. ‘You don’t scare me.’

His smirk faded. In a flash, his hand shoved her shoulder, rougher than he intended. She stumbled back, glaring, then shoved him right back. His face darkened, and before he could think, his hand struck her cheek. The class froze.

Laura’s vision blurred instantly, her balance slipping away. The room spun, and before anyone could catch her, she collapsed. The class erupted, Michelle screamed her name as she knelt by her side. Monica’s hands shook as she tried to lift Laura’s head. But when Jace only stood there frozen, his face blank, she lost it and snapped.

‘What did you do?!’ she shouted, slamming her fists against his chest. When he didn’t move, she slapped him across the face. The sound cracked through the room, leaving Jace with nothing but the stinging pain that spread across his face.

‘Don’t just stand there! Help me!’ Michelle yelled. Alex rushed forward, and carried Laura’s limp body down the corridor. The class followed except for some who only minded their business. They laid Laura inside the ambulance the school had called and she was sped to the nearest hospital.

At the hospital, the doctors moved quickly. Laura was placed on oxygen, her vitals unstable. The slap hadn’t been just a bruise- it had triggered something worse. Her body already weak from her last collapse, had suffered a vasovagal syncope combined with post trauma complications. In simple terms, her nervous system had overreacted, causing a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure. It was dangerous enough that it required constant monitoring and emergency care.

The doctor explained that she would need round-the-clock treatment, IV fluids, special medications, and observation because if her situation isn’t handled properly, it could spiral. Bills were not the problem. When the Salvatore’s and crystal’s heard about it, they managed to keep the situation out of media knowledge. It was business first, reputation second and family last.

Lorenzo upon hearing what Jace had done, flew all the way from Italy to Canada. He was so furious when he arrived, storming to the hospital, his tall frame commanding the room. Cynthia too, also had to leave business and come over to be with Laura in this critical period. The two almost clashed in the hospital immediately.

‘You don’t get to stand there and defend him’ Cynthia snapped, her voice trembling with anger as she pointed at Jace. ‘This isn’t the first time he’s tried to hurt her. And now look what’s happened!’

Lorenzo’s voice was calm, deep and sharp.

‘I didn’t come to defend him. I came here because he has a responsibility to fix what he’s broken.’

‘He shouldn’t even be here!’ Cynthia voice cracked. ‘Nobody needs him, she doesn’t even want him around!’ Jace stood in the corner with Alex and Diamant. His arms folded, his face cold, but inside he was tearing apart, his chest was a storm. He wanted to say something and explain himself but the words caught in his throat. He wore a nonchalant mask, pretending it didn’t matter. But deep down, every beat reminded him of the slap, of her falling, of how she still she had looked.

That night, while Cynthia, Michelle and Monica slept in the hospital chair, Lorenzo made calls in the corridor, jace went silently with his friends and cleared the bills and signed the papers. The weight of everything still fell on him but at least it was lighter after doing this. When Cynthia found out the next morning, she was furious

‘You had no right! ‘She hissed. He only shrugged and responded voice low

‘I had to.’…. he was flat but his eyes betrayed him a lot. It showed he cared but she couldn’t quite read.

Laura’s condition worsened for days before it began to improve. The doctors advised strict rest. She wouldn’t be able to attend school for weeks, maybe even a month. And when time for discharge came they still emphasized that she needed to rest and take her drugs on time. The silence that followed after this, was thick. Laura couldn’t stay alone just with the maids, someone had to stay with her in her villa. Cynthia sighed, rubbing her forehead.

‘I can’t stay. The office in Canada is already on my neck. Laura, I can’t stretch this any longer.’

‘I’ll be gone tomorrow too,’ Lorenzo firmly added. ‘Business in Milan won’t wait…Michelle and Monica have school to attend since the ceremony has been shifted till next month. But…’ his eyes lingered around ‘someone has to be here’

Jace’s voice came out calm, almost careless. ‘I’ll stay’

The room froze. Laura’s eyes snapped toward him instantly-sharp, burning, unbelieving, ‘what! Cynthia whirled too.

‘No, not a chance!’

‘It’s simple. You all are too busy. My brother can’t stay, you’ his eyes flicked at Cynthia. ‘Have your office waiting overseas. Michelle and Monica are occupied but they can also come over. She can’t be left alone. I can handle things here. My work with the Canadian branch doesn’t chain me to a desk- school is not a problem, I can manage it all. After all, I caused everything.’ Jace calmly explained, slightly leaning back.

‘It’s not simple. I know you are not wrong but you think it’s easy for her to be under the same roof with you?’ Cynthia asked.

‘I’ll rather stay alone’ Laura muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

‘But you can’t. Jace won’t hurt you. Michelle or Monica can even come around to check up on you’ Lorenzo cut in, tone firm. ‘Your maids may not always be around you and you could collapse when no one is there with you. Its better he stays. On my word. All these beefing won’t help. Just try to mend things’

Laura’s jaw tightened. She hated this was the truth. She glared at Jace, her eyes like a shattering glass filled with disappointment and hate. Jace’s gaze met her for the first time. His face remained expressionless, but his eyes...there was something unreadable in them. A shadow of guilt, a flicker of determination. He just stood, not moving an inch as he let the silence between them do the talking.

‘I can’t allow this…anyone but him’ Cynthia disagreed.

‘Anyone? Name one please?’ Lorenzo asked bitterly, raising a brow.

Silence.

Since there was no other option, Cynthia put Laura’s care into Jace’s hand. Lorenzo accepted that any hurtful move made by Jace would be blamed and sentenced on him. Lois could watch over and Michelle or Monica can come at any time to check if everything was fine. After signing the discharge papers, the nurse brought the wheelchair, and Laura sank into it quietly. Cynthia adjusted it for her with sad eyes. Then they made their way out to the hospital entrance while Jace wheeled Laura out carefully.

Outside, three cars were waiting. In the middle was a shiny Mercedes with two rolls Royce parked at the sides as escorts. The sight was attracting and Laura looked away quickly. She hated the eyes of the elites in the hospital and the fact that this convoy was called in by Jace, made it annoying. One of the drivers rushed forward and opened the door for him to carefully seat her inside. She sat stiffly, wishing her sister could stay. She could already feel it. She wouldn’t be comfortable with him in her villa.

Waving at Cynthia, the cars zoomed off and intense silence took over the space in the car. She thought of how it was going to be once they arrive-when she couldn’t even exhale properly in the car. Jace knew her thoughts. He needed no one to tell him because she displayed it through her body language. He turned to glance at her before looking away with a soft smirk on his face. He was obviously ready to fix his actions.

Sooner, they arrived at her estate and to her villa. It stood tall and large, a sharp contrast to Jace’s masculine, modern-styled mansion. Hers was softer in design, painted white with warm cream mixture. A mountain flanked at the entrance and water spilled out calmly. Bright flowers bloomed along the pathway, roses, lilies that added a quiet touch of elegance. Unlike Jace’s darker, cooler home, hers was alive and much more welcoming.

Jace stepped out of the car, and without a word, he opened the car door on Laura’s side. She frowned, already protesting but he already slipped his arms beneath and carried her. She stiffened, keeping silent, her crystal eyes narrowing at his calm expression. She could not believe it…she could not access how calm he was. It was the first time she had seen him very calm and it felt new.