chapter 9

“You’re moving in with me”

It wasn’t a question, it wasn't a request either, it was a decision already made and the weight of it settled over Rose like something solid and unavoidable that the hospital room suddenly felt smaller. Isabel, who had been standing just outside the doorway froze in place, her hand tightened slightly on the frame. Rose’s eyes flicked to her best friend Isabel who looked just as stunned as she felt before slowly returning to Vincenzo. He didn’t seem to care whether she agreed or not. All that mattered was that he had spoken.

Isabel mouthed a silent “yes” and gave her a small encouraging smile from behind his shoulder. Rose watched Vincenzo carefully as he typed something quickly on his phone, the screen light reflecting faintly against his sharp features then her lips pressed into a thin line before mouthing

“Okay”

He looked up at her with a dark expression as if surprised she hadn’t argued. She looked away almost immediately, her fingers fidgeting lightly against the sheets that the small restless movement only seemed to draw his attention more, then something tight and heated flickered behind his eyes.

“Fuck” he muttered under his breath cussing at how easily she affected him. He shot her one last intense look before stepping away from the bed, far away from her where he won't feel hard.

“The doctor is coming so relax”

Rose let out a long shaky sigh the moment the door closed behind him and dropped her face into her hands.

“Ugh… I hate what he makes me think” Isabel stepped fully into the room with her eyebrow raised with concern mixed with curiosity.

“What?”

Rose hesitated with her cheeks warming as she whispered “I… kind of touched myself at home thinking about him” Isabel’s eyes widened before she let out a short muffled scream quickly covering her mouth with both hands. Rose had always been the careful one; she hated parties, avoided drinks and stayed far away from complicated men.

“He’s making me crazy,” Rose said, her voice quieter now, almost ashamed. “Victor never did” At the mention of Victor’s name, Isabel’s expression shifted into something sharper.

“Victor, Victor, Victor… we shouldn’t even mention him. You’re going to be with Vincenzo now anyway”

Rose looked away, staring at the pale hospital wall as she tried to sort through the mess in her chest. The more she tried to push the thoughts down the more Victor’s words returned, clear and cold.

‘Make him fall in love with you’

Then what? betray him?

She remembered too well how cruel Victor could be. How he had always known exactly where to press, how to sweet talk you into working for him.

“Remind me why you both broke up again?” Isabel asked gently hitting her arm.

“He wanted sex” Rose muttered with her fingers curling near her lips. “And when I wouldn’t… he cheated then he broke up with me”

“He cheated” Isabel repeated and as always, the line pulled a laugh out of her. Rose couldn’t help laughing too even as the memory stung. She still remembered the day Victor ended things, Isabel had dragged her to a club and spent half her savings just trying to make her smile again.

“I hate that memory” Rose said still laughing through the tears that had started to form at the corners of her eyes. Then Isabel’s hand found hers, their fingers slowly intertwined tightly warm that it felt so familiar.

“You’re the best Isabel”

“Aww. Anything for you”

Rose rested her head against Isabel’s shoulder with their hands still linked. This had always been her safest place, the only place where the noise in her head quieted for a while.

The soft sound of someone clearing their throat made them pull apart. The doctor stood in the doorway with a polite smile already in place.

“Miss Niel”

“Doctor”

“How are you feeling today?”

“I’m fine… I guess”

The doctor chuckled lightly, hands in his pockets as he stepped closer to examine her. His movements were professional, careful, checking her pulse, her temperature and the residual signs of stress. Rose stayed still though a faint tension remained in her shoulders under his hands.

A low voice came from the doorway “I don’t like the way you’re touching her” Vincenzo stood there, expression dark and authoritative, his presence filling the room in an instant. The doctor immediately apologized so he finished the examination faster than necessary and prescribed something light for stress. He gave a brief awkward smile as he left clearly eager to escape the weight of Vincenzo’s stare.

Rose felt heat rise in her cheeks at the memory of Vincenzo’s earlier words. The thought of him claiming her sent a quiet unwanted shiver through her legs.

Isabel broke the silence with a bright relieved smile “Good news. We’re leaving today” She reached for Rose’s bag and began packing again so the few important things she had brought with her movements were quick and efficient.

“She’s coming with me” Vincenzo said from the doorway with his voice calm but final.

“What? Today?” Rose raised an eyebrow sitting up a little straighter “My stuff is still at Isa’s place”

“I’ll send my men to get them”

His tone left no room for argument. He gave her one last unreadable look, something heavy and possessive in it before walking away again as their footsteps faded down the hall.

“God, I can’t deal with him,” Rose muttered, dropping back against the pillows.

“You have to find a way,” Isabel said as she continued packing, zipping the bag with a soft finality.

Rose leaned back staring at the ceiling as her mind drifted. For a moment she thought about the quiet views she might wake up to, the space, the silence of a house that wasn’t shared. A small reluctant smile touched her lips before she could stop it.

A few minutes later, Vincenzo’s driver appeared at the door to inform them it was time. Isabel pulled her into a tight lingering hug before stepping back Rose's eyes were a little too shiny.

“Bye” Rose whispered, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek.

She settled into the back seat of the black car and turned her face toward the window. The city moved past in a blur of light and motion as her thoughts pulled in different directions: Victor's deal, Vincenzo’s claim, the dangerous line she was already walking.

Her phone vibrated against her thigh.

One unread message from an unknown number.

She reluctantly unlocked the screen then a clear photo of her climbing into Vincenzo’s car outside the hospital filled the display. The timestamp was recent and the angle was deliberate.

And beneath it a single line

I SEE EVERYTHING, ROSE