Chapter 18%
Scarlett’s (Leona’s) POVS
I sat on the side of the bed, still looking at the bracelet that was twisted around my wrist, a present from Vincent Caress it slowly, my fingers touching its surface, trying to peel it away.
Ifaintly remembered my bullet striking him, through the shoulder, I felt a little guilty about that. But the rage was too raw at the time to overcome the din.
There was no sound when the door to the bedroom opened. My brother just walked in. And sat beside me.!
“Do you love him?” he asked suddenly.
I was surprised. I was looking at the bracelet, absent–mindedly stroking it as I did so. Instinctively I pushed it behind my back.
I was speechless, no response escaped my lips.
Julijus took a deep breath, and in a subdued voice, “I think you should talk it over with him yourself. All these years to the best of my knowledge, Vincent has been a man who greatly values loyalty. I just get a feeling. There’s been a mistake between you girls.
I looked at him in disbelief.
“So you’re siding with Vincent over me? Though I’m your own real blood sister I pouted, not accepting it.8
He chuckled lightly. “That’s not what I’m saying, Leona. It’s just, sometimes we have to listen, not just judge. If there’s something you’re not sure about, the only answer is to ask “B
He edged a little closer, gazing at me with a tight smile. “Ask your heart. If you’d like to see him but feel nervous to go by yourself, you can say something to me. I’m ready to go with you.”
flooked away, mulling over what Julius said. But his words reverberated out of my mind.”
My phone buzzed on the table that very night. The caller ID displayed my brother’s name.
“Leona.” „Julius’s voice was groggy. “I need your help. I’m on the third floor right now. I’m injured.”
I immediately stood up. “Oh my God! Julius, hold on, Пll come quickly.”
Without hesitation, I dialled some of my men and immediately made my way. A dark, empty old building that was on the edge of the town.&
We snuck in the back door, fumbling our way through the cramped, cold hallways. On the overhead second floor, footsteps, rapid, were sounding above our heads.
I held up my hand to signal
“Get ready“!
In seconds, we emerged out of the hallway. My gun was raised. And the gunshot rang through the room.
Those bodies fell one by one. We didn’t let them know that we were going after them immediately.
I made it to the third floor, kicking open a door that was holding up on nothing but a rickety table. Julius sat inside, propped up on the wall, his face white. His leg was bleeding.
“Leona… you came.” he murmured, relieved.
“Stop talking and lean on me, I said sharply.
I slung his arm around my neck. We descended the stairs slowly, each of us, one by one. Blood was coming out of his leg all over my shoes. I opened the car door and something caught my eye once outside.
“Damn!” I cursed. The rear tire was flat. That and the night wind were the only sounds.
“Oh God.. Why now?” I let out a scream of anguish, then temporarily put Julius in the car!!
I waited in the empty street, posing and gazing at my peaceful I just prayed that same driver would go by and pick us up. And, yes, I beamed when I saw headlights in the distance.
I immediately waved my hand. B
“Hey! Please stop!“}
The car jerked it self to a halt several metres from me. The front door opened.
And behind the wheel was a face she recognized
Alex. He got out quickly.
“Please, I need your help.”
He registered no complaint, so I took his hand and we crossed the street. And there he saw my
his face quickly changed.
“Alright, I help you. Let’s go!“)
Alex and I both helped Julius into Alex’s car
brother. When he noticed Julius bleeding.
Afterall of that mess, I could finally relax and catch my breath. Julius was safe. He had already been seen by medical staff. His breathing
had stabilized
“Alex, thank you so much for helping save my brother.
He nodded. Then he continued staring down at me.
4.00 PM ₫ d
“May I say something to you?”
This time I didn’t refuse. We sat in the hospital garden together.
He took a deep breath before speaking.
“You should have paid attention to what Mr. Vincent said in the first place. He really wanted to tell you about everything. Especially
about Jessica.”
I turned slowly.!
really
“Isn’t Jessica Vincent’s ex–girlfriend? So even bringing Jessica back to his house, I thought Vincent still loved her. I know, even thought Jessica betrayed him.”
Alex shook his head slowly.
“It’s not what it looks like, Miss. Jessica’s a bit of a bitch. She had power over Mr. Vincent, she managed to get the better of him. A lot resulted from her chaos. Such as pretending she was gravely sick. But in reality, the brain cancer was a total fabrication. A con, so that she’d get some pity and protection,”
“Mr. Vincent wished to move Jessica for your sake at that time and also wanted to enquire about her illness and child. And here’s the truth, Jessica lied about everything. Even if Jessica was in the secret room, she could get away effortlessly while Mr. Vincent was focused only on you.”
My heart started pounding slowly.
Alex added, “Mr. Vincent should have killed her in Italy. But he couldn’t. He had too much humanity, and that was what Jessica preyed on.” “Jessica wanted to split you two up. She is after something. I’m sure of it, maybe wealth, maybe power, or could it be just a position. But I don’t really understand what her true purpose is “8
I lowered my head. The ghost had started to feel a little guilty.
I attempted to inform him about what Jessica had said on meeting me. Alex heard me out without a single word of interruption.8
“So… what do you think? Vincent has no feelings for Jessica really?“8
Alex shook his head firmly 8
“No, Miss, it’s not, it’s Jessica,” he answered.
I frowned. “Wait. Why didn’t he just tell me straight up how he feels about me like you’re saying? That he does not desire but an heir of me?”
Alex went quiet for a second.
“Maybe, Mr. Vincent is just biding his time. But for damn sure, you’re the one he’s been searching for these past three years. He’d event hold himself back and wait for you to accept his proposal. While he got to deal with your stepfather, who very much seems like a materialistic dad.”
I looked at him, confused. Three years? So why he did hunt me down for so long and he was ready to wait for me?”
Alex smiled faintly
“Do you recall helping and aiding a dying man, shot, practically dead? You mean the one you rushed to the hospital? He was in awful shape at that time, unresponsive for days.”
I frowned. Dim reminiscences began to illumine my brain.8
“When that guy woke up, the only thing he was searching for was the woman who saved him. And since then, he’s been in love with you.”
I was silent, thinking of what he had said, until suddenly something occurred to me..
“Alex, help me to get to Vincent as soon as possible
Alex smiled and nodded. “With pleasure, Miss.”
