Chapter Three

Minah did not sleep when she got home.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the hospital room. Ava’s pale face. Antonio’s rigid posture beside the bed. The way his presence filled space without sound. She had spent years learning how to manage men who tried to control her through volume and intimidation.

Antonio did neither.

That unsettled her more than she wanted to admit.

By the time she returned to the hospital the next morning, the energy had shifted. Nurses whispered in clusters. Security lingered longer than usual near one wing. Minah did not need to ask why.

Antonio had not left.

She found him seated beside Ava’s bed, jacket folded neatly on the chair, his attention entirely on his daughter. Ava was awake now, her leg elevated in a cast, color slowly returning to her cheeks.

“You came back,” Antonio said without looking up.

“I said I would,” Minah replied.

Ava smiled faintly. “She is the nice doctor.”

Minah smiled back, checking vitals, testing responsiveness, watching carefully for signs of worsening concussion. Ava answered slowly but clearly. Everything was stable.

“She is improving,” Minah said. “Still needs monitoring, but she is responding well.”

Antonio’s shoulders eased just enough to be noticeable.

“You stayed overnight,” Minah observed.

“Yes.”

“You did not sleep.”

“No.”

She hesitated, then said quietly, “You should.”

His mouth tightened. “When she is safe.”

A nurse stepped in with paperwork. Minah reviewed it while Antonio stood silently nearby. Her phone vibrated in her pocket.

She ignored it.

It vibrated again.

Antonio glanced at her. “That will not stop.”

Minah pulled the phone out. Coffee’s name lit the screen.

She declined the call.

“Someone you do not want to answer,” Antonio said.

“Yes.”

“Then block him.”

Her lips pressed together. “It is not that simple.”

Before he could respond, the phone vibrated again. This time, a message appeared.

You’re avoiding me.

Minah’s chest tightened. She turned the screen face down.

Antonio watched her carefully. “Is he persistent.”

“He is my husband,” she corrected. “For now.”

“Was,” Antonio said. “If he left.”

Minah exhaled. “He wants to make sure I sign the papers. On his timeline.”

Antonio’s gaze sharpened. “And will you.”

“When it benefits me,” she said evenly.

The phone vibrated again.

I’m always watching you, Minah.

Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.

Her fingers curled around the device.

Antonio stood slowly. “He enjoys reminding you he exists.”

She met his gaze. “He enjoys control.”

“That is not control,” Antonio said. “That is obsession.”

Minah stiffened. “You do not know him.”

“I know men,” Antonio replied. “And I know what that message means.”

She said nothing.

Ava shifted slightly. Antonio’s focus snapped back to her instantly, his hand smoothing over her hair.

“I want her discharged as soon as possible,” he said.

“That will not be today,” Minah replied. “Observation is necessary.”

His eyes flicked to her. “You do not bend.”

“Neither do you,” she said. “That does not mean one of us has to break.”

Something almost like approval crossed his face.

Later, Minah stepped into the hallway to breathe. She leaned against the wall, phone in hand. Another message appeared.

I know where you are.

Sign the papers.

This ends when I say it ends.

Her pulse thudded in her ears.

She turned.

Antonio stood at the end of the hallway, watching her. Not intruding. Not interrupting. Simply there.

“You should not answer him,” he said.

“I didn’t.”

“You should not be alone,” he added.

“I am not,” Minah replied, lifting her chin.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Not yet.”

She studied his face. The control. The restraint. The promise of violence held carefully in check.

“For men like him,” Antonio continued, “words are weapons. When they stop working, they escalate.”

“And what about men like you,” Minah asked quietly.

He held her gaze. “We finish what we start.”

A chill ran through her.

For the first time, Minah understood something clearly.

Coffee was watching her.

But Antonio was already calculating.