MasukFLORIAN’S POVRoseline’s knees buckled completely the moment the nurse spoke those words, her entire body collapsing weakly against me, sobs tearing violently from deep within her chest. I caught her instantly, wrapping my arms tightly around her trembling form, holding her steady as her grief finally broke free completely, raw and devastating.“No,” she cried brokenly, her voice muffled against my chest, her fingers gripping desperately at the front of my shirt. “No, no, please, this can’t be happening.”“I’ve got you,” I whispered softly, my own voice thick with emotion as I held her tightly, my heart aching painfully at the sound of her heartbroken sobs echoing through the quiet hospital room.She clung to me desperately, her entire body shaking violently with the force of her grief, and I lowered us both carefully into the nearby chair, holding her tightly against my chest as she wept uncontrollably, months of fear and exhaustion and now devastating loss finally crashing over her
FLORIAN’S POVSinclair’s eyes fluttered open again a while later, weaker now, though something urgent still flickered clearly behind his tired gaze as they landed on me.“Florian,” he whispered softly, his voice barely audible now. “Could I speak with you? Alone, for a moment?”Roseline glanced up quickly, surprise flashing briefly across her tear-streaked face, though she nodded gently, understanding immediately despite her obvious reluctance to leave her father’s side even for a moment.“I’ll be right outside,” she whispered softly, pressing a gentle kiss against her father’s forehead before stepping quietly out of the room, leaving the two of us alone together.I moved closer to his bedside, carefully taking the seat Roseline had just vacated, my own heart heavy with emotion as I gently took his frail hand in mine.“Sir,” I said softly, my voice thick despite my best efforts to remain composed.“Florian,” he whispered again, his gaze steady despite his obvious exhaustion. “I need t
ROSELINE’S POVMy father’s eyes fluttered open again after a long, agonizing moment, his gaze finding mine slowly, weakly, though something urgent flickered clearly behind his tired expression now.“Roseline,” he whispered, his voice thin but steady enough to carry clearly through the quiet room. “There’s something I need to finish telling you. Before it’s too late.”“Dad, you don’t have to,” I said quickly, my voice trembling. “Just rest, please.”“No,” he said, surprising me with the small burst of firmness in his weakened voice. “I need to say this. I need you to know everything.”I glanced briefly toward Florian, who nodded gently, his hand resting supportively on my shoulder, silently encouraging me to let my father speak.“Okay,” I whispered, squeezing his hand carefully. “I’m listening.”He took a slow, labored breath, gathering what little strength remained. “Your mother,” he began softly, “she was born into the Hollis family. Adrian’s sister.”“I know,” I said gently. “We fou
ROSELINE’S POVFlorian’s phone buzzed again in his hand as we rushed toward the car, the hospital’s number flashing urgently across the screen for the second time in minutes.“We’re already on our way,” Florian said quickly into the phone, his bandaged arm completely forgotten now, his voice tight with a fear that mirrored exactly what I felt pounding wildly inside my own chest. “Just, please, tell him to hold on.”He ended the call, sliding quickly into the driver’s seat despite his injury, though I barely noticed, my mind consumed entirely now by the message that had come through only moments earlier. My father. The hospital. Words like “critical” and “please come immediately” echoing painfully through my thoughts.“Drive faster,” I whispered, my hands gripping tightly at the edge of my seat as the city lights blurred rapidly past the windows.“I’m going as fast as I can,” Florian said, his voice strained, though he pressed harder on the gas anyway, weaving quickly through the late-
FLORIAN’S POVThe gun fired.The sound exploded violently through the narrow stone tunnel, deafening and sharp, echoing painfully off the walls surrounding us. A blinding, searing pain tore instantly through my upper arm, hot and immediate, my vision flashing white for a fraction of a second before the world snapped back into focus.“Florian!” Roseline’s scream echoed sharply behind me, terror ringing clearly through her voice.I didn’t have time to process the pain fully, adrenaline surging violently through my veins as Adrian twisted sharply, trying desperately to wrench his wrist free from my grip. We crashed hard against the stone wall together, the impact jarring painfully through my already injured arm, though I refused to let go, refused to give him even a single second to regain control of the weapon still clutched tightly in his hand.“Let go,” Adrian snarled, his composure completely shattered now, desperation and fury twisting violently across his face as we struggled fierc
FLORIAN’S POVAdrian’s hand remained steady on the gun, though something in his expression shifted slightly, the earlier cold calculation softening into something quieter, almost sorrowful.“You want to know something, Florian?” he said, his voice low, almost gentle now, completely unlike the man who had threatened us only minutes ago. “I never wanted things to go this far.”“Then why did they?” I asked, keeping my hands raised slowly, my heart still pounding rapidly in my chest despite his softened tone.“Your father,” Adrian said quietly, his eyes distant now, lost somewhere in memories clearly still raw despite the years that had passed. “He started all of this the moment he decided he deserved everything, our father’s approval, our father’s company, the woman I loved first, before he ever noticed her.”“That’s not true,” I said firmly, though uncertainty flickered briefly at his words. “You’re twisting the past to justify everything you’ve done.”“Am I?” Adrian said, his voice sha







