Chapter 5

Xavier~

I took another sip from the glass in my hand, letting the burning liquid travel down my throat.

But I didn't flinch.

I just sat there, staring blankly out the balcony.

Footsteps echoed from behind me but I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

I'd sent for him since over an hour ago.

"Sorry I'm late, Mr. Lockwood. I was..." he began to explain himself before I suddenly cut him off.

"How is my father?"

My voice was firm and gruff, almost devoid of emotions.

I heard the doctor take deep breath from behind me before stepping forward.

"His condition is quite critical." He started.

"Multiple fractures were detected, with a major trauma to the head."

"For now, he's in a medically induced coma."

My jaw clenched, my grip around the glass tightening.

I closed my eyes and all I could see was the haunting image of my father in that damned hospital bed.

All I could think of was the many tubes probably attached to his body, hooked to various machines.

He doesn't get to die. Not now that I was finally becoming ten times the man he never could be.

Not now that I was finally getting revenge for all those years he abandoned me and my mother.

"Do everything you can..." I hissed through gritted teeth. "To make sure he recovers."

"Everything!"

"Y...Yes, Mr. Lockwood." He stuttered before turning around to leave.

All I could hear were his clumsy receeding footsteps.

I went back to drinking the poison in my glass, trying to drown my thoughts in the burning sensation.

Until...

A pair of soft hands came from behind me, sliding down my bare chest. From the familiar scent of roses and cinnamon, I could already tell who she was.

My body instantly relaxed under her touch, a soft moan leaving my lips.

"Estelle..." I muttered, watching her reach for the glass in my hand.

"You know..." She whispered seductively, her lips grazing my outer ear.

"Too much alcohol is bad for you."

Ignoring her words, I tried to reach for the glass again. But she was quick enough move it away.

"Give it back!" I growled in annoyance.

But all she did was laugh as she took a big swig from the glass, emptying the entire thing as I watched.

Then she leaned close again to whisper...

"Come and get it, big boy."

Without thinking, I was standing up in the blink of an eye, my fingers around her throat as I pinned her to a nearby wall.

Estelle's grin only widened and I could tell this was what she'd wanted all along.

"All that rage..." She grinned, looking me right in my eyes.

"Go on. Take it out on me."

Then she whispered sultrily. "I can handle it."

This had me withdrawing my hand from her so quickly, it looked as though she burnt me.

"No!" I spat, turning away from her and going back to my seat in defeat.

But Estelle didn't give up so easily. She was the only woman who genuinely derived pleasure from getting under my skin. Even after all these years, that never changed about her.

She was suddenly sitting on my laps in a straddling position, hands cupping my face.

"You never told me no before." She frowned, seeming to be genuinely bothered by that.

"You still thinking about your wife? She isn't here, you know."

Then she began to slide her hands lower and lower down my body.

"Not that it has ever stopped us before." She chuckled, giving me a light squeeze.

I held her wrist, stopping her from touching any further.

"Now is not a good time."

Estelle seemed disappointed by my response but was quick to hide it with a smile.

She stood up from me, walking over to the bar to pour herself a drink.

"You know she did this, right?"

I turned to give her a sharp look.

"Your dear wife is the reason you're going through all these in the first place." She continued confidently.

"You don't know that." I hissed.

"Come on, Xavier. Why else is she not here?"

"She's probably in hiding right now, after trying to kill your father." Estelle said.

"She knows her plan has failed."

I frowned, not making sense of a single word she'd just said.

Why would Carla ever try to murder my father? Why would she try to kill a man who loves her like his own.

It didn't make any sense to me.

"Fine." Estelle suddenly spoke up again, dropping her glass aside.

"I'll clear your doubts."

She began walking toward the door while I just sat there and watched, utterly confused.

However as she opened the door, my eyes widened in recognition of the woman who was suddenly walking in.

That uniform.

She was one of the caregivers who had been assigned to my father.

I instantly sat up.

"This is Marie." Estelle announced with a wide grin, gesturing toward the timid looking woman.

"And I believe she has something to tell us."

I watched Marie take a single step forward, slowly raising her head to meet my gaze.

"I was there, Mr. Lockwood." She muttered.

"I saw her push him down the stairs."

My heart stopped.

"You saw who?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

"Mrs. Lockwood. Your ...w...wife." Marie stuttered.

"She pushed your father down the stairs, while he wasn't looking."

My fists clenched as I listened.

If there's anyone who could have witnessed, it would be Marie. She was my father's head caregiver and the closest to him.

She couldn't possibly be lying about this.

A growl suddenly ripped from my throat as I suddenly stood up in anger.

"And you let her get away?"

Marie trembled, instantly falling to her knees and hands as she shook her head.

"No, Mr. Lockwood."

"I know where she's currently hiding." She said, making my eyes widen.

"I will take you there."