Before Hania could make a decision, Enrique appeared at the door of the ward.
"What are you doing here? Get out!"
Hania glared at him with hatred. He was the one who had destroyed her family, separated her from her husband, and left her daughter lying broken in a hospital bed. Why couldn't someone like him just disappear?
Sweat still clung to Enrique's forehead. He stood tall, his thin lips pressed tightly together, his entire body exuding a cold, oppressive aura. His deep eyes passed over Hania and through the glass door, landing on the porcelain-pale face resting on the hospital bed. His gaze darkened.
It was still her face, but now it was like looking at a soulless doll—void of life. Her once-bright eyes were wide open, staring at the ceiling without a single blink, as if time itself had stopped.
"I'm here to see my wife," Enrique said quietly, his voice low and tight with suppressed emotion. He carried a forceful presence.
"Your wife?" Hania laughed coldly, her voice trembling with rage.
"When you pushed her off that building, did you remember she was your wife? Leave! I won't let you see her. Isn't it enough that you've already destroyed her? What more do you want? Do you need to see her die before you're satisfied?"
"I told you, it was an accident," he said through clenched teeth. His hands curled into fists, the heat and pain in his palms making it hard to bear. The memory of not catching her in time haunted him like a noose around his heart.
"I don't care if it was an accident or not. Just consider it me begging you, all right? Please, show some mercy and let her go. We don't want the Vellore family's name anymore, we don't want anything. Just let her go, please."
Hania dropped to her knees in front of him, sobbing.
But Enrique's anger surged. He had been the one forced into this, so why was he the one being asked to let go?
"I will never let go in this life."
With those words, he stepped around Hania and strode into the ward.
The sharp scent of disinfectant filled the room, but he paid no attention. His eyes were locked on the figure lying in the bed. The once lively, spirited girl was now motionless, her expression void of life.
He sat down by her bedside and gently took her hand in his. He gripped it tightly, as though trying to make up for the moment she had slipped through his fingers.
"Sana," he called her softly.
She didn't respond. Her hand, marked red from being clenched too hard, remained limp in his.
"Sana, I know you don't want to see me. I never meant to hurt you. I never wanted this. Don't stare at the ceiling, look at me. It's me, Enrique."
His voice was low, barely above a whisper, filled with grief and desperation.
Then, a subtle shift.
Sana moved slightly. Her empty mind began to stir. Enrique?
Who was Enrique?
Oh… she remembered now. She had liked him, so very much. From the first time they met, she had fallen for him. But he never liked her back.
That thought made her heart sink.
Why didn't Enrique like her?
She had done everything she could to appear in his life, again and again. She had even carefully planned how she would confess her feelings.
Yes… she was going to confess.
But that night, at the last moment… she backed down.
It was already late when the student union meeting ended that day. She waited quietly by the road he usually took on his way back. Every word of her confession had been carefully rehearsed in her mind, what to say, how to smile, even how she'd respond if he rejected her.
Then he appeared.
Enrique walked out of the building, his tall, slender figure exuding elegance and aloofness. His cool demeanor, that quiet detachment, made her heart race uncontrollably.
"Enrique Kim!"
But the clear and timid voice didn't come from her.
She turned, startled, to see the campus beauty standing in front of him, shy and flustered.
"Enrique, I like you. Let's date."
The confession hit her like a slap. Every line she had practiced got stuck in her throat. She stood frozen, watching him intently.
Please reject her. Please.
Enrique frowned deeply, his tone even colder than usual.
"I don't like you. Stop showing up in front of me. It only makes me hate you more."
His words were harsh, cruel even. The school beauty fled in tears.
She stood stunned, watching him approach. Her heart fluttered with panic. She ducked behind a pillar to hide before he could see her. Tears spilled from her eyes as she watched him walk past without a glance. His cold rejection echoed in her head.
She was the one who constantly showed up around him. Did he hate her too?
From that day forward, she stopped appearing in front of him. Even when they crossed paths, she avoided him immediately. She couldn't bear the thought of being hated by him.
Later, she discovered who he truly was, when the Kim Group was caught in a massive scandal and people began whispering about him. He was the CEO's son.
And after that... everything collapsed.
Sana's thoughts spiraled. He had destroyed her father. He had crushed the Vellore family. He had pushed her off that building.
Yes. It was him. That monster.
"Devil. Devil! You're a devil!"
Her body trembled violently. Fear filled her wide, unfocused eyes. She yanked her hand from Enrique's and flailed wildly.
"Devil! Madman! Enrique, you're a madman! You're a madman!"
She screamed hysterically, not even looking at him.
"Sana!"
Enrique gripped her arms, trying to steady her, but his touch only sent her into a deeper panic.
"Let her go!" Hania cried, trying to push him away, but his frame was immovable.
"Sana, don't be afraid. I'm your mother. Sana, look at me, I'm your mom!"
"No! You're all devils! My mom doesn't want me anymore! She abandoned me! Enrique Kim doesn't want me either! He wants to kill me!"
Sana thrashed and screamed. Enrique's heart clenched painfully. How did it come to this? She was supposed to be vibrant, full of life, always smiling.
"Sana, I don't want to lose you. I never will."
He wrapped his arms tightly around her, letting her hit and bite him with all her strength.
He deserved it. It was his fault she ended up like this.
But her madness only grew worse as time passed.