In the VVIP ward of the hospital, a tall figure stood beside the bed, staring down at the unconscious patient.
It wasn't the fact that the patient was old and sick. Nor that it was Christopher Blackheart,the biggest billionaire and drug lord New York had ever known.
No.
What stood out was the man beside him. The only person bold enough to look at Christopher Blackheart lying there without a flicker of remorse.
Antonio Blackheart.
The richest billionaire bachelor in New York. The illegitimate son of Christopher Blackheart and the Don of the most powerful mafia conglomerate in the city. His name alone spread fear across the state, and no one dared cross him, not unless they wanted to lose everything they loved.
Antonio glanced at his wristwatch, then back at his father indifferently. He'd known this day was coming. Now, the great Christopher Blackheart was battling death from a hospital bed.
But this wasn't from age or sickness. Antonio knew exactly why his father was here.
"Sir?" a nervous voice interrupted the line of his thoughts. The doctor's hurried footsteps were heard down the hallway and he looked pale as he approached.
"I… I wasn't informed that you'd be coming," Doctor Sam stammered, struggling to hide his fear.
He didn't need Antonio to say a word. The tension alone was enough to crush him. One of Antonio's guards stood behind him, his arms folded, face unreadable. The man had dragged him out of his office without a word. It was an embarrassing experience especially with his colleagues around.
But it was better than losing his job. Or most importantly, his life. He knew this was dangerous when he signed up to take care of the man.
Antonio lifted a hand and the guard stepped back to his post.
"How is he?" Antonio asked, still staring at his father.
It had been six months since he last saw him.
The "accident" had been covered up well. The story was that his father was taking a break from work. He had even sent his stepmother and sisters out of the country to make the lie more believable.
Antonio was still angry. Their father-son relationship had practically been nonexistent. Despite being his only heir, they never saw eye to eye.
Still, no one outside this hospital knew Christopher Blackheart was here, and Doctor Sam had done a good job keeping it that way.
That was the only reason he was still breathing.
"H-he's er… " Doctor Sam stuttered, unable to help the nerves.
Antonio didn't look at him. He didn't need to. His presence alone was enough to make the man tremble.
Then came a shriek when a cold steel was pressed against the doctor's temple.
"Doctor," Antonio said with a sweet, deadly voice. "I have nothing against you."
He paused. "Yet."
He lowered the gun and smiled. A twisted grin that deepened the scar that was above his right cheek.
His hand clamped onto the doctor's shoulder. "My men has been saying good things about you. I'd hate for that to change."
"O-of course, sir. Everything is fine with your father—"
"THEN WHY HASN'T HE WOKEN UP?!"
The doctor flinched. "It's… it's his condition, sir. I'm sorry. I'll do better."
He couldn't say it. That it was up to Christopher to wake up.
The truth was, the Chairman had suffered a severe blow to the head. He was lucky not to be brain-dead. But based on Antonio's behavior, the doctor couldn't help but suspect what others in the hospital had already whispered:
Antonio might have been the one behind the so-called accident.
After all, what kind of son doesn't visit his father for six months?
Only Antonio Blackheart.
Just like his name, his heart was pitch black.
Antonio exhaled and shoved the doctor aside. His eyes returned to the bed.
"Make sure no one knows he's here," he said, his voice deadly low. "You've done well so far. I'd hate for your reward to be death."
"Yes, sir."
With a flick of his hand, Antonio dismissed him.
Then he moved to the bed, attempting to adjust the blanket placed on his father when his eyes landed on the oxygen mask and a cruel thought crept into his mind.
Kill him!
He took her from you!
Antonio gritted his teeth.
She's out there. Gone. Because of him!
"Do it, Antonio," the voices whispered.
For a moment, he was really tempted.
His hand twitched, but then he looked away. Then he stepped back and slumped into the chair beside the bed.
He couldn't do it. At least not yet. Moreover, he was suffering at the moment. That had to mean something.
Not to mention, Christopher Blackheart was one of the few people who knew where she was. And until he find her, the bastard had to live. Unfortunately.
"I'm such a good son, right?" he muttered, knowing his father could hear him. "So wake up and tell me where she is if you still love your wife."
His tone turned sharply, the smile faded.
Antonio pushed the chair back in frustration and turned to leave. It was a year. A whole year without her and he was close to losing his mind already.
He never should have come here!
The moment Antonio reached for the door, it flew open and his second-in-command stormed in.
"Jake?"
He hadn't expected him. He'd sent Jake out of the country to find her. If Jake was back, that means he had news.
The man walked straight up to him.
"I found her," he said.
Time stopped at that moment. Antonio's breath caught in his throat, and then his heart began to thunder in his chest. He found her? Finally!
But something in Jake's eyes froze him.
"What's wrong? Where is Arianna?"
Jake hesitated, as if he was struggling for the words.
Antonio's patience snapped. In a blink, he drew his gun and flipped off the safety.
"WHERE IS SHE?!"
"Boss…" Jake swallowed hard. "She's…"
Antonio's pulse roared in his ears.
"She's married."
"What?!"