Chapter 4

LOVE TO HATE

Carlo dashed into the room and found Kristen lying on the floor, unconscious as the maid had reported. He scooped her up delicately, like she was made of glass, and hurried her to the car, driving straight to the hospital.

“It’s a good thing you got her here so quickly,” the doctor said as Carlo settled into the office.

“After running an X-ray on her leg and other tests, we found that she has a grade three ankle sprain, which explains the swelling. She’s also severely dehydrated, and her blood pressure is low. The combination of the swollen ankle and dehydration caused her to pass out,” the doctor explained to Carlo.

“But will she be okay?” Carlo asked, his concern for Kristen surprising even himself.

“You don’t have to worry,” the doctor reassured him with a smile. “We’ll provide her with some medication and ice the swelling. After that, she’ll need physical therapy for her leg. With plenty of rest and your support, she’ll be back on her feet in no time.”

After a brief chat with the doctor, Carlo took care of the hospital bills and left. It wasn’t that he cared for Kristen; he just didn’t want her to die on his watch. He still had plans for her, and he wasn’t done making his mark yet.

Kristen's eyes fluttered open to the incessant beeping of hospital machines. As she attempted to sit up, a sharp pain shot through her leg, forcing her back onto the bed. "That damn leg!" she muttered under her breath. Memories flooded her mind—how Carlo had locked her up and how she had ended up here with this injury.

Now fully awake, she took in her surroundings and couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly. “At least he had the decency to bring me to a hospital,” she murmured, glancing around for any sign of him. Finding none, she scoffed, “Of course. The monster didn’t care enough to stick around.” With that thought, she settled back against the bed, staring at the ceiling and reflecting on her life.

Just weeks ago, she had been a normal girl, trying to navigate the challenges thrown at her by Carolina, but it had been manageable. Then everything changed in the blink of an eye. Don Carlo, the mafia boss, wanted to marry Sophie, but when Sophie refused, Carolina decided that Kristen would take her place.

“Please, Dad,” Kristen pleaded with her father, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t want to marry that man!” But all he could do was shake his head, pity etched across his features.

“I’m sorry, baby, but I have no choice. He’s a ruthless man who will destroy us if we don’t comply,” he reasoned, his voice heavy with resignation.

“But he wanted Sophie, not me!” she cried, desperate to change his mind, but it was all in vain. Carolina had clouded his judgment, leaving Kristen feeling utterly alone. “Please, Kris, just do this for me. Do it for our family,” he pleaded, and at that moment, she realized the man standing before her was no longer her dad, but a stranger.

“Madam, the boss sent me to bring you this,” a maid interjected, breaking Kristen’s train of thought as she entered with some clothes and food.

“Take it away! I don’t want anything from that heartless man!” Kristen yelled, throwing the food aside in a fit of anger.

“He put me in this awful condition; how dare he act like he cares?” The maid looked at her with pity, wishing she could ease Kristen's pain. She despised her boss's cruel ways, but what could she do? He would crush her in an instant—after all, she was just a maid.

After much coaxation, the maid finally persuaded Kristen to eat and take her medication. Soon after, exhaustion took over, and she drifted off to sleep.

As days went by, Don Carlo seemed completely uninterested in checking on her. He was too preoccupied with his businesses and the casino. Conversely, Kristen felt indifferent; she didn’t want to see him. Instead, the maid became her confidant and friend, taking care of her during this difficult time.

A noise stirred Kristen from her sleep. It sounded like her father’s voice. “How did he know she was in the hospital?” she wondered, anger welling up inside her. How dare he show his face after what he did, forcefully marrying her off to a ruthless man as if she were nothing. She didn't want to see him, and deep down, she took satisfaction in knowing that he realized she was here only because of the choices he had made. “Let the guilt eat him alive,” she murmured under her breath, filled with rage.

“I said let me in! My daughter is in there!” Mr. Wilson shouted, struggling to enter Kristen's hospital room.

"I'm sorry, but the boss has instructed us not to let anyone in," one of the security guards replied firmly.

“Didn’t you hear me? I'm her father! Let me in!” Wilson yelled, now furious and attempting to force his way through, but the two muscular security guards firmly held him back.

How could he have let himself be swayed by Carolina and give up his only daughter for such selfish reasons? He should have fought for her; she didn’t deserve this suffering. Guilt gnawed at him. “Oh, my poor baby,” he thought, his heart heavy.

“Kristen!” he cried out in desperation, and just then, a nurse stepped out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. Their eyes met—his pleading, hers cold and filled with anger. At that moment, he realized there was no trace of the little girl he once knew. Instead, only hatred stared back at him, causing him to freeze in place as the door closed shut.

Despite her hatred for Don carlo, Kristen felt a twinge of gratitude for his instruction to keep everyone out. The last thing she wanted was to see her father—not now, not ever. She needed him to truly grasp the weight of his actions. The thought of facing him filled her with an overwhelming rage. “I will never forgive him,” she said.