All Chapters of His Sinful Empire : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

“I heard the gunshot.”“He killed someone. Right in front of me. Just…” I made a gun with my hand, pointed it at my own head. “No hesitation. No mercy. And then he looked at me like I was the one who’d done something wrong. Like I’d crossed some line by being there.”“I know.”“Do you? Do you know what it’s like to watch someone die and then have the person who killed them tell you that you mean nothing? That everything was just business? That—” My voice cracked. I stopped.Nico sat down on the floor across from me. “Of course I know what it’s like. It's part of this house. I grew up in this house, Nina. I know exactly what my brother is capable of.” He paused. “But I also know he’s hurting you. And I don’t like it.”“Why do you care? You barely know me.”“Because you don’t deserve this. Whatever he’s telling himself to justify it, whatever reason he thinks he has for keeping you here and treating you this way, you don’t deserve it.”I laughed. It came out bitter. “Maybe I do. Maybe t

“Nina—” “I said get out.” The door burst open. Nico rushed in, pushing past me to get to her side. “Don’t you get it, bro?” he said, not even looking at me. “She needs you to leave.” “Stay out of this, Nico.” “Or else what?” He finally looked at me, and the contempt in his eyes was worse than anything Nina had thrown at me. “You want to create a scene? The doctor said she needs rest. Give her that at least. It’s the least you can do after putting her in this hospital bed.” “This is a clinic, not a—” “Does it fucking matter?” Nico’s voice rose. “You did this to her. You locked her up. You broke her. And now you want to stand here and what? Pretend you care?” “I do care.” “Then leave. Because that’s what caring looks like right now. Giving her space from the person who hurt her.” I looked at Nina. She’d turned her face away. Wouldn’t even look at me. “Nina,” I said. Nothing. Just her profile. Her jaw set. Her whole body radiated rejection. Fine. I turned and

NINA's POV The IV drip was steady. I watched it fall, counting the drops because it was easier than thinking about how I’d ended up here. In a private room. Hooked up to fluids. Nico sat in the chair beside the bed, his elbows on his knees, hands clasped. He’d been quiet for the past ten minutes. Just sitting there. Being present in a way that felt foreign after weeks with Enzo. “You scared me,” he said finally. “I’m sorry.” “Don’t apologize. Just… don’t do that again.” He looked up at me. “Don’t stop eating because of him. Don’t punish yourself for what he did.” “I wasn’t trying to punish myself.” “Then what were you doing?” I didn’t have an answer. Or maybe I did and just didn’t want to say it out loud. I’d stopped eating because eating meant caring, wanting to survive, and after seeing Enzo kill that man, after hearing him tell me I meant nothing… I hadn’t wanted to survive anymore. “Nina.” Nico reached over and took my hand. “Look at me.” I did. “You’re getting out

The tears had finally stopped, leaving my face sticky and swollen. I lay in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling tiles, counting them for the hundredth time. Anything to keep my mind from replaying every drama. What kind of answer was that? What was I supposed to do with that? The IV drip continued its steady flow. Each drop a second closer to being transferred back to that house. I closed my eyes, trying to will myself to sleep. To escape into unconsciousness where I didn’t have to think about Enzo’s hands on my face, or the way his voice had cracked when he said he cared. Then I heard voices outside my door. Loud. Angry. I recognized them both immediately. “You can’t do this.” Nico’s voice, sharp with fury. “She’s not stable enough to be moved.” “The doctor cleared her for transfer.” Enzo. Calm. Cold. The voice he used when he’d already made up his mind. “Bullshit. She hasn’t eaten properly in days. She’s dehydrated, weak—” “Which is why the doctor will accompany us.

I woke to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar windows. For a moment, I forgot where I was. Then the scent hit me… cedar and smoke… and everything came rushing back. Enzo’s room. Enzo’s bed. I sat up slowly, testing my strength. The IV was gone. In its place, a small bandage on my inner arm. Dr. White must have removed it while I slept. Medical supplies organized on the dresser. But the room was empty. I swung my legs over the side of the bed. My head swam briefly, then cleared. Better. Definitely better than yesterday. The door opened. I tensed, expecting Enzo. But it was Dr. White, carrying a tray. “Good morning. How are you feeling?” “Like I slept in someone else’s bed.” She smiled slightly. “Your room should be ready by this afternoon. I just need to run some tests first. Make sure you’re stable enough for the transfer.” “Another transfer. Great.” She set the tray on the bedside table. Oatmeal. Toast. Orange juice. Bland hospital food despite the non-hospital setting.