Chapter 200
Rafael Vexley’s shoulders shook, not with anger this time, but with a grief so deep it left him trembling.
James stepped closer, the harsh hospital light catching on the worry etched across his face, but he didn’t speak. There were no words that could dull this kind of devastation. He placed a reassuring hand on Rafael’s shoulder. “She’ll come around, Rafael. Love like yours doesn’t fade. Just hold on p>
Three hours dragged by in agonizing slowness, the room filled with the rhythmic beep of machines and Rafael’s quiet sobs. Then, Eliana stirred. Her honey eyes fluttered open, and immediately, her hand flew to her swollen belly. A sharp, explosive pain ripped through her abdomen, like fire twisting inside her. She gasped, curling inward as tears sprang to her eyes. “Ahh… it hurts… so much p>
Rafael jolted upright, his tears forgotten in an instant. He leaned over her, his voice urgent and soothing. “Eliana! Oh God, you’re awake. Shh, my love, breathe. I’m here p>
Her face contorted in pain and confusion, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clutched at the sheets. “Rafael… what happened? Why am I in so much pain? The baby— is the baby okay? Please, tell me p>
He grasped her hand tightly, his own voice steady despite the storm inside him. “The doctor says the baby’s fine, Eliana. Strong heartbeat, no major issues. You took a nasty fall after… after the accident. That’s why it hurts. But you’re going to be okay. We’re monitoring everything p>
Her eyes widened as fragments of memory crashed back—the screech of tires, her father’s body crumpling, the world tilting. “The accident… Papa! Oh God, Papa!” She bolted upright, ignoring the searing pain, her voice rising to a hysterical pitch. “Where is he? Is he alive? Rafael, tell me p>
Rafael’s heart shattered at her desperation. He tried to gently push her back down. “Eliana, please, calm down. Your father’s in surgery— he’s unconscious, but the doctors are doing everything they can. Head trauma, but he’s a fighter, like you p>
She shook her head wildly, sobs wracking her body as she thrashed against the pillows. “No! No, I need to see him! Papa… he can’t… he can’t leave me!” Her cries echoed through the room, raw and piercing, her hands flailing as if to ward off the nightmare.
Rafael signaled frantically to the nurse outside. “Doctor! Now!” The door burst open, and a harried physician rushed in with a syringe. “We have to sedate her—she’s too stressed p>
Eliana’s eyes locked on Rafael’s, pleading. “Please… don’t let him die p>
“I’m sorry, love,” Rafael whispered, holding her as the sedative took hold. “Rest now. I’ll be here p>
Five hours later, the room was bathed in the soft glow of evening lights filtering through the blinds. Eliana awoke again, this time with a calmer clarity, though grief etched deep lines around her expressive eyes. She sat up slowly, wincing but composed. “Rafael… I need to see him. Papa p>
Rafael nodded, relief flooding his features. “Of course. James, get her wheelchair ready p>
James wheeled in a standard hospital chair, helping Eliana into it with gentle care. “Easy now, Miss Bennett. I’ve got you p>
Rafael positioned his own automatic wheelchair beside hers, the whir of its motor a familiar hum. “We’ll go together p>
They rolled down the sterile corridors in tandem, James pushing Eliana’s chair while Rafael navigated his own. The fluorescent lights created different shadows, amplifying the tension. Eliana’s hands twisted in her lap, her voice soft but steady. “Thank you… both of you. I don’t know what I’d do without p>
Rafael reached over, squeezing her hand. “You don’t have to thank us. You’re not alone p>
They entered Frank’s room, where the elderly man lay hooked to a web of machines—beeps and hisses marking his fragile hold on life. His face was bruised and swollen, an oxygen mask fogging with shallow breaths. Eliana’s composure cracked instantly. She wheeled closer, her hand flying to her mouth as sobs tore from her throat. “Papa… oh, Papa, what have they done to you?” Tears poured down her face, her body shaking. “He looks so small… so broken p>
Rafael maneuvered beside her, his voice choked. “He’s strong, Eliana. He’ll pull through p>
She turned to him, her honey eyes swimming with pain and suspicion. “Rafael… was this really an accident? Or is there something behind it? I… I have a guess. Mirabel. She warned me yesterday that she was going to hurt me and my loved ones. Tell me the truth—was it her p>
Rafael’s jaw tightened, fear for her stress levels overriding honesty. He averted his gaze slightly. “Eliana, please. Don’t think about that now. Focus on healing, on the baby. The police are investigating. Just… stop torturing yourself p>
She searched his face, frustration mingling with her grief. “You’re hiding something. I can see it in your eyes—even through the cloudiness p>
He sighed, his voice firm but gentle. “For now, yes. Trust me—it’s for your own good p>
Back in her room, Rafael excused himself to speak with the doctor in the hallway. “Update me—everything. Her condition, the baby’s, her father’s p>
The doctor nodded. “Miss Bennett is stable, but we need to watch for contractions. The spotting has stopped. As for Mr. Bennett… it’s touch and go p>
Rafael rubbed his temples. “Keep me posted. Every detail p>
Meanwhile, Eliana’s gaze fell on her handbag on the bedside table, its contents slightly askew from the chaos. A pang hit her—Henry. He might be worried sick, returning home to an empty house. She reached for it, pulling out her cracked phone. The screen spiderwebbed with fractures, but it powered on. Notifications flooded in, but one stood out: a text from an unknown number.
Her fingers trembled as she opened it. The message read: “This is only the beginning. Henry will be next—and this time, I’ll make sure he dies instantly p>
Ice flooded her veins. Mirabel. It had to be. The threat reeked of her elitist venom, her manipulative games. But this time, something shifted in Eliana—a fire igniting amid the ashes of her fear. No more cowering. No more suffering in silence. Her father lay broken because of that woman; Henry was now in the crosshairs. Eliana’s kind-hearted nature hardened into resolve. She would deal with Mirabel, protect her own—no matter the cost.
The door opened, and Rafael wheeled back in, his expression a mix of exhaustion and determination. “The doctor’s optimistic about you and the baby. Frank’s holding steady p>
Eliana met his gaze squarely, even though he couldn’t “see” her, her voice unwavering. “Rafael, I’ve thought about it. Your contract marriage suggestion… I’ll take you up on it. Let’s do it p>
He froze, his steel-grey eyes widening behind the lenses. “What? Eliana, are you serious? You… you mean it p>
She nodded, her tone fierce. “Yes p>