Jake, I'm sorry for hitting you… but I couldn't control myself. My voice shook, my chest heaving. I couldn't believe my ears when you confessed to hurting her.Jake didn't flinch. "No need to, sir. In fact… I deserve it. Even worse than this. I regret everything I did to her."
William's eyes darkened. "Sir Charles, this this right here is exactly how you should have reacted long ago. But what did you do? You abandoned your daughter, left her to face the world alone. So please—" his voice was sharp as steel, "—quit faking your affection towards her.""That's enough!" Aurora's trembling voice broke through the tension. Her eyes glistened, tears spilling over. "Please… stop quarrelling… I beg you…"
Jake and William rushed to her side instantly.
"Hey… don't cry," William murmured, gently wiping the tears from her cheeks. His touch lingered for a moment longer than necessary. He caressed her face with such tenderness it almost felt like a silent confession. His other hand brushed through her hair, slow and comforting.
"Please, go to sleep, dear. It will do you good." Aurora's eyelids fluttered, heavy with exhaustion. Within seconds, she slipped away into a deep, dreamless slumber.
William let out a quiet sigh. "She's finally asleep." His gaze shifted to Jake. "Stay with her. She'll be discharged tomorrow."Jake nodded.William turned to leave, but Charles's glare could have cut glass. Hatred radiated from his eyes like a curse. William didn't shy away he walked straight toward him and patted his shoulder, his voice low, cold, and deliberate.
"Don't let hatred consume you, Charles. It will be your downfall. You have a sweet, beautiful daughter what more do you want? It's time you moved on. Accept that Kim will never be yours. Be content with your family, your wealth, your prestige. Leave me and my family alone. I know you still keep an eye on Kim stop before I take everything from you."
Charles's jaw tightened. "Is that a threat?"
William's lips curled into a dangerous half-smile. "You can consider it one. Goodbye… my ex–best friend." Jake added, his voice dripping with disdain, "Sir, it's obvious you're not welcome here. Just leave. My baby needs to rest." Charles gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowing into slits as smoke—figurative but almost visible—seemed to pour from his nose and mouth. Without another word, he stormed out of the ward.
Outside, Charles's rage boiled over.
"How dare that boy?! Who does he think he is? I made him who he is today!" His fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. "Jake, you will pay with your life for humiliating me. As for William… I'll deal with you later. I'll make sure your own daughter is the one who destroys you."A sinister smile curved on his lips. "And I know exactly who will help me. I'll make him an offer so tempting he won't be able to refuse."
Meanwhile, across town…
Mark sat in his dimly lit study, a half-empty bottle by his side. This wasn't his usual measured drink it was reckless, desperate. His eyes were glazed, but not from the alcohol alone. It was heartbreak.The image from last night was burned into his mind.
FLASHBACK
Mark's palms were clammy as he stood outside Ralphaelina's mansion. His heartbeat was loud enough to drown out his thoughts.
I just have to explain. If Tiwa hadn't run her big mouth, Ralph would never have found out I admired another woman. But she's wrong dead wrong. I love her. I could never cheat. She's my childhood sweetheart… my first and only love.The butler opened the door, his face paling at the sight of him.
"Sir… sir—"
"Hey, why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" Mark tried to laugh it off. "Where's Ralph? Never mind, I know my way in—"
"Sir, please, wait—"
"And why should I?" He brushed past him, patting his shoulder as if nothing was wrong, making his way toward her bedroom.The door creaked open.And there it was.The ugliest, most soul-shattering sight he had ever seen. Her soft moans—once his joy—now cut into him like knives.His vision tunneled. The air turned heavy. And there she was, tangled with another man, her face flushed with pleasure.Mark's breath came out ragged, his chest hollowing. He had come to apologize, to make her his wife, to give her everything. And here she was… betraying him without shame.
His hand moved before his mind could stop it. The gun went off with a deafening crack. The man's head snapped back, his lifeless body collapsing beside her.Ralphaelina's scream ripped through the room, her eyes wide in horror.Mark's lips twisted into a cold, bitter chuckle. He didn't say a word. He simply turned and walked out, the sound of her screams echoing behind him like a haunting melody he would never forget.