Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Billionaires Pawn : Kabanata 51 - Kabanata 60

Lexi's Pov “Lexi, let them work!” Julian’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade. I turned to him, tears streaming down my face. “Julian, he can’t die! He just can’t!” Julian stepped forward, his hands gripping my shoulders as he forced me to meet his eyes. His gaze was steady, unyielding. “He’s not gone, Lexi. Let them do their job.” I froze, my chest heaving with sobs, and finally let the nurse guide me toward the corner of the room. “Clear!” The doctor’s voice rang out as the defibrillator paddles pressed against Dad’s chest. His body jolted, but the flatline remained on the monitor. “Again!” Another jolt. My hands were trembling, my legs threatening to give out beneath me. Kayla was sobbing into her hands, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably. “Come on,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Fight, Dad. Please, fight.” Julian stood behind me, silent but unmoving. His presence was like a wall, solid and unyielding, holding me up when I felt like I might collapse. “St

**Lexi’s POV** I had never seen Julian like this before—unguarded and exposed. This wasn’t the Julian who strode into rooms as if he owned them, commanding attention with just a glance. No, this was someone different. Someone raw. For some reason, that scared me more than seeing my dad on the brink of death. He had barely said a word since I stepped back into the hallway. He didn’t need to. The weight he carried was evident in the way his shoulders hunched and the way his jaw clenched, as if he were trying to physically hold himself together. “Julian,” I said softly, stepping closer. He glanced at me, and his pale blue eyes were shadowed with an exhaustion that had nothing to do with lack of sleep. “You should stay with your dad,” he murmured. “He’s resting. And I think you need someone to stay with you,” I replied, refusing to let him dodge this moment. He exhaled sharply, the sound almost like a laugh. “I’m fine, Lexi. You don’t have to—” “Yes, I do,” I interrupted, cutti

Lexi’s POV Dad was asleep now, his breathing slow but steady. The harsh hospital lights made the room feel cold, sterile—everything I hated about places like this. But I didn’t dare leave. I stayed planted in my chair, one hand gripping his as though he might slip away if I let go. Kayla had curled up in the chair on the other side of the bed, her head resting against the armrest. She looked peaceful for once, though I knew the moment she woke up, she’d be back to snapping at me or avoiding me entirely. Not that I blamed her. A creak at the door made me look up. Julian stepped inside, his tall frame filling the small space. The sharp lines of his suit made him look improper, like he belonged in some high-rise office rather than this cramped hospital room. “How is he?” he asked quietly, his voice softer than I’d expected. “Still stable,” I replied, keeping my voice low, so I wouldn’t wake Dad or Kayla. “They’re saying the next 24 hours are critical, but… he’s holding on.” Julian

Kayla’s POV The moment Dad was safely inside and seated, I felt the weight of everything shift. I tried to shake off the tension that had crept in when we’d pulled up to the house, but it clung to me like an uncomfortable sweater. I caught Lexi’s smile as she helped Dad settle into the couch, her hand on his shoulder, her voice soft and comforting. “We’re going to make sure you get some rest tonight, Mr. Thompson. You’ve been through a lot.” Of course, she was the one taking charge. She always was. I couldn’t help but feel a sharp pang in my chest. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate what she was doing for Dad; I did. But with every little thing she did, it was like she was trying to prove something. To prove that she was the better daughter. The better everything. I was still standing by the door, frozen in place as Lexi kept talking. She didn’t even glance my way, not once. But I could feel her eyes on me earlier, a pitying look that I’d seen too many times before. Like I

Kayla’s POV Catherine’s words swirled in my mind, intoxicating and undeniable. She didn’t speak like an ordinary person—her voice carried power, authority, and a promise of something I couldn’t resist. “All you have to do is follow my instructions,” she said, her piercing eyes never leaving mine. “You’ll have everything you’ve ever wanted, Kayla. And more.” “And what do you want in return?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to sound confident. Her smile deepened, and for a moment, I saw something darker behind her composed exterior. “Loyalty. Obedience. And a willingness to do what’s necessary.” I swallowed hard, unsure if she meant what I thought she did. But it didn’t matter. I’d already come this far—there was no going back. “I’ll do it,” I said firmly, my voice steadier now. “Whatever it takes.” Catherine stepped closer, her gaze almost predatory. “Good. Then let’s get started.” Lexi’s POV “Dad, she’s missing!” My voice cracked, the panic overwhelming m