Chapter 4

The hospital room reeked of disinfectant.

When Chloe walked in, I was propped up against the headboard, idly watching the birds outside the window.

"Elia, sweetheart, you're awake?" She walked to my bedside, a flash of barely concealed smugness in her eyes as she stroked the enormous diamond on her ring finger. "Victor says we're getting married in four days. You're my best friend, so I'd love for you to be my bridesmaid."

"Best friend?" I repeated the words softly and laughed. "Is that what best friends do? Shove each other into the line of fire?"

Chloe's eyes immediately reddened. She grabbed my hand. "I'm sorry, Elia. You know I've never been through anything like that before. I was just so scared..."

I stared at her blankly. She sighed. "I know you blame me. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have gotten hurt. I wanted to come see you last night, but Victor said you get hurt all the time, that it's nothing serious. Elia, please don't be mad at me, okay?"

I pulled my hand free and wiped it on the bedsheet. "Honestly, Chloe, you should be in movies. That talent is going to waste."

I had no patience for another word. "Get out. I'm sick of looking at you."

Chloe bit her lower lip, her eyes welling up. "Elia, I know you're unhappy about Victor marrying me, but what can I do? It was destiny, and besides—"

I cut her off with a scoff. "Chloe, how did I never realize you were this shameless? Destiny? If it weren't for me, you'd still be rotting in that maggot-infested slum."

Something I said must have struck a nerve. Her voice shot up. "Elia, I know you look down on me because I'm from the slums, but so what? Don't people like me have the right to pursue happiness and equality?!"

"Happiness and equality?" I laughed. "If I remember correctly, I'm the one who taught you that. I don't care what you pursue, Chloe, but why should your happiness come at my expense? Have you forgotten who took those punches for you at school? Who told you that even a girl from the slums deserved dignity, that everyone had the right to pursue happiness? You didn't use what I taught you to earn respect. You used that 'right' as cover for social climbing. The moment you stole my fiance, you trampled the dignity you once prized into the dirt, along with every bit of sincerity I had ever given you!"

Slap!

The moment the words left my mouth, Chloe suddenly slapped herself hard across the face!

Just as I thought she might be feeling some remorse, the door was kicked open!

Victor stormed in and pulled Chloe into his arms.

He whipped around to glare at me, his eyes blazing. "Elia! Have you lost your mind? She's so fragile, and you hit her? Do you have no decency at all?"

"Don't blame Elia..." Chloe whimpered. "This is all my fault. I wouldn't be where I am today without her. I shouldn't have gone behind her back to be with you. Baby, let's end this. I can't steal my best friend's fiance."

Chloe sobbed and sniffled so pitifully that even I couldn't help feeling sorry for her. Victor never stood a chance.

Victor cradled her protectively. "Don't be ridiculous. You didn't steal anything. I fell in love with you, and I couldn't help it."

After soothing Chloe, Victor fixed me with a vicious glare. "I already said I'd still marry you. What more do you want? Why do you keep going after Chloe?"

"Are you done?" An icy voice came from the doorway.

Dante stood in the doorway with one hand in his pocket, then strode inside. "If you're finished, get out."

"Uncle, what are you doing here?" A flicker of fear crossed Victor's eyes at the sight of Dante.

Dante didn't spare him a glance. He walked straight to my side. "Does your arm still hurt?"

I was about to answer when Victor stepped forward, a warning in his voice. "Elia, you'd better watch what you say..."

Thud!

Before he could finish, Dante's fist sent him crashing to the floor.

Victor clutched his chest, stunned. "Uncle, why did you hit me?"

Dante looked down at him, his voice cold enough to freeze. "You have the nerve to lecture Elia? Do you have any idea how important that shipment was? Your little stunt of bringing a woman to the docks in that flashy car is exactly what tipped off the rival Family!"

Slap!

Dante backhanded him, knocking the rest of his words right back down his throat.

"Your stupidity got Elia hurt, and you still have the gall to stand here yelling. Get out!"

Victor didn't dare utter another word. He grabbed Chloe and left.

Only after they were completely gone did Dante let his cold facade soften. He gently pulled me into his arms.

"Anyone who hurts you answers to me."