CHAPTER THREE

***Dominic's POV***

“You sure not one survived?” I asked, my voice cutting through the silent night air like a blade.

Rooks, my personal assistant and right-hand man replied. “Yes, Boss. We made sure to clear them all. Not a single gangster is left breathing.”

As much I wanted to believe him, I couldn't. I needed to confirm myself. I've always been like that. Seeing was believing so I started walking towards the place that used to be their hideout.

I’ve learned, much in a harsh way—never take anyone’s word as truth. In my world, I don't get to sleep with my both eyes closed.

Not after I had witnessed betrayal firsthand when I was just six. The memory never faded, and I don't think it ever will. My father, Chief Alfred, once hailed as the fiercest and most successful CEO in the Blackhood lineage, knelt with a golden dagger –his own dagger buried in his heart. His best friend and right-hand man stood over him, blood dripping from the blade with a triumphant smirk tugging on his lips.

I had hidden behind a pillar in father's chamber and saw everything. I screamed, cried, ran to the Elders. They didn’t believe me. Not even my own mother.

They said I was traumatized by my father's death. Delusional. A liar. They concluded he had no reason to kill father and an assassin sent by the rival family must have done it.

And when I kept insisting, they called me cursed. Insane. Psycho. The Mad heir of Blackhood consortium. It was so convenient that when I claimed my inheritance as the CEO, they upgraded the title to the Mad CEO. I never forgot that betrayal and I wore the title like an armour. I watched. I waited.

And on the day I resumed as CEO, I forced the bastard to confess and drove a dagger of my own into his chest—this time in front of the same Elders and staff members who once mocked me.

They didn’t dare challenge me again after that because they now believe that I have always been right.

But the damage was done. The curse placed upon me as a child, perhaps by God, the devil, or by guilt— whichever one, actually stuck with me. It comes to a time at the end of every month, like a programmed virus that anxiety overpowers me and I lose control. I have these violent episodes and I become unrecognizable. Unstoppable. Going on a killing spree. A beast even I can’t tame. I ordered to be chained down anytime it happens —left alone in the dungeon—to keep my members safe.

So, I trust no one.

Not even myself.

“Wait!” I said sharply, pausing in my tracks. I saw a trail of blood just as we were about to exit the borders of The Blackhood's restricted estate which was at the outskirts of the city.

I quickly reached for my dagger as we stepped closer to the direction where the trail led…

Then I saw her.

Curled at the root of a tree, bruised, bloodied, and barely breathing. Her clothes were ripped, her stomach and thighs was stained with dried blood, and thick red marks lined her back in neat, wicked rows.

“A spy?” Rooks asked, his tone sharp with suspicion.

I crouched beside her, my gaze lingering on the whip marks. Those weren’t from a gang attack. They were deliberate. Systematic. A punishment.

“I don't think so,” I muttered. “She was probably flogged and left out to die.”

I reached out to check her breathing which was low and shallow. She clearly was still alive but on the brink of death.

A moment of silence, then I continued. “Let's take her in since she is still alive.”

Rooks eyes furrowed in shock. Then he frowned. “whatever this is, is not our problem, Dominic. She’s a burden we can’t afford. Especially not right now. She might bring trouble with her. Who knows what she might have done to be punished like that.”

I didn't reply immediately. I didn't know why I had the urge to help her. It was a feeling I couldn't explain. But Rooks was right. She could be a bait from our enemies or rivals. But then, what if she isn't?

“Let's save her first. We can worry about all those later,” I said coldly, brushing a strand of blood-matted hair from her cheek.

“Boss, no—”

“Are you challenging my sense of judgement ?“ I snapped at him, my patience running out.

Silence.

Good. Even though he is my friend, he knows better than to piss me off.

I scooped her into my arms. She was light—too light. I could feel every broken piece of her fragile body against mine.

“ I'm taking her in. Call the family doctor” I ordered as I turned back towards the direction of the mansion.

I ordered the mansion staff to set up a guest room immediately after which I gently placed the strange woman carefully on the bed.

The Family doctor, Juliet arrived shortly after. She took one look at her, feeling her pulse, her face went pale with worry.

“She’s in critical condition,” she said, hands already moving in practiced expertise—she was trying to strip her. “She may not survive the night.”

Something inside me sparked. Something unfamiliar. Protective.

“Then make sure she does,” I growled, my expression growing dark. “Use everything you have. Every procedure, every medicine. If you have to get her under the knife, do so. Do you understand me?”

Juliet bowed. “Yes, Boss.”

Then she began administering treatment to her, barking out orders to her subordinates.

I watched as they operated on her trying to stabilize her for a while before stepping out.

I let out a long, exasperated sigh as I pressed a finger to my temple. Then I made my way back towards the gangster's hangout to check if all the gangsters were really dead.

Three days passed.

She didn’t wake. For some unknown reason, I became worried but Juliet assured me that she is no more in a critical state for now even though it was a miracle that she was still alive.

I visited her twice a day, in the morning and at night. Not because I really care, but because I needed to know what kind of danger she might bring to my territory.

But every time I stood there, hearing the sounds of her breathing,something inside me twisted. Something I am not familiar with.

The doctor and nurses occasionally came to check on her too, changing her IV and checking her vitals.

On the third night, I came to do my new found activity and I saw her eyes flutter open. She gasped, panicked, trying to sit up.

“Easy,” I said, stepping forward. “You’re safe now.“

I was surprised by my own words. I have never been nice, but with this woman right here, I'm willing to break all protocols for her.

She blinked at me, her pupils struggling to adjust. Then suddenly, she jolted up asking frantically “Where… where am I?? And… and who are you??”

“ I'm Dominic. And you’re in The Blackhood's Estate,” I said. “You were found barely conscious at the borders of the estate . What’s your name?”

She hesitated. Her eyelids flickered for a second.

“I… I don’t remember.”

“Where did you come from?” I pressed, watching her face closely.

Again, a long pause.

Her eyes filled with a haunted kind of confusion. “I don’t know. I—there was pain, so much pain. And then darkness.”

Rooks stood behind me, arms folded, watching her with distrust.

I was restless inside. Suspicion gnawing at me.

I studied her for a while and she seems like she's hiding something. “Who the hell are you?” I asked, tilting my head and staring deep into her wide hazel eyes.

She was silent for a while before she suddenly snapped, “Why do you care??!!”

“What?”