Chapter 151
Bianca stepped closer, her perfume—a cloying mix of jasmine and ambition—wafting over James. “Darling James, be reasonable. He’s just lost the love of his life. And that baby… oh, the tragedy.” Her voice trembled artfully, but James saw through it, the way her fingers flexed as if already imagining clutching Rafael’s arm. “Let me sit with him. I can be his rock in this storm p>
James folded his arms across his chest, his expression turning to stone. The warmth drained from his face, leaving only cold resolve.
“I said no,” he repeated, his tone steady but edged with warning. “Mr. Vexley has always been clear about this—whenever he’s in a condition like this, only essential personnel are allowed anywhere near him.” His gaze cut between the two sisters, unflinching. “And that doesn’t include socialites sniffing around for attention or whatever twisted game you’re playing p>
He took a deliberate step forward, the authority in his stance impossible to ignore. “So here’s what’s going to happen,” he said quietly, each word deliberate, dangerous. “You’re going to leave. Now p>
The air between them thickened, sharp with unspoken challenge.
The sisters exchanged a furious glance. Sarai’s face flushed with rage, her sharp eyes flashing. “You insignificant little secretary! Do you know who we are? The Monroes—we could ruin you with a single call. How dare you p>
Bianca’s lips curled into a sneer. “Enjoy your power while it lasts, James. When Rafael wakes and hears how you treated us, you’ll be out on the street. Begging for scraps, just like poor Eliana used to p>
James didn’t even blink. “Threats won’t work,” he said evenly, his voice cutting through the tension. Without breaking eye contact, he reached for the hospital phone on the table beside Rafael’s bed and pressed the call button.
“This is VIP room 408,” he said calmly. “I need security p>
He hung up and folded his arms again, silent, immovable. Less than three minutes later, the door swung open and two large security guards stepped in—broad-shouldered, expressionless, and clearly used to dealing with people who thought money or charm could bend rules.
The sisters froze, their confidence flickering. Then Sarai let out a scoff, loud and theatrical. “Unbelievable,” she muttered, spinning on her heel with Bianca close behind. Their designer heels clicked sharply against the linoleum, their high-end clothes swishing as they made a show of their exit.
At the doorway, Sarai turned just long enough to throw a final glare over her shoulder. “This isn’t over!” she hissed, her voice echoing down the sterile hallway before the door shut behind them.
As the door clicked shut, James exhaled deeply, sinking into the couch beside Rafael’s bed. The room fell silent save for the steady beep of the heart monitor. He watched his boss’s chest rise and fall, the piercing eyes—usually so commanding—now hidden behind closed lids. James knew he had to step up. The mystery around Eliana’s sudden accident, her death, and that suspiciously quick cremation gnawed at him. And those Monroe sisters… their happiness at the news was too palpable, too real. He couldn’t shake the feeling that their envious, vengeful hands were dipped in this tragedy. Eliana, kind-hearted and resilient, had never deserved their malice.
A soft groan escaped Rafael’s lips, pulling James from his thoughts. Rafael’s eyes fluttered open, the grey orbs sharp and clear. But they were rimmed with red, filled with a raw, unfiltered pain that made James’s heart ache. Rafael bolted upright, his athletic build trembling as he clutched the bedsheets. “Eliana he whispered, his voice hoarse and broken. Tears welled up immediately, spilling down his chiseled cheeks. “Where is she? James, bring her to me. Please, I need to see her p>
James rushed to his side, placing a gentle hand on Rafael’s shoulder. “Mr. Vexley—Rafael—calm down. You’re in the hospital. You fainted in the lobby after… after the news p>
Rafael’s face crumpled, his sarcastic, calculating facade shattered. “The news? It’s a lie, James! It has to be! Eliana can’t be gone. Cremated? Without me? Bring her here—tell them it’s a mistake!” His voice rose to a desperate shout, sobs wracking his body. He pounded his fist against the mattress, the sound muffled but thunderous in the quiet room. “She was mine! Our baby… God, the baby. How could this happen? I need her, James. Please, go get her p>
James’s eyes stung with fresh tears. “I wish I could, sir. But… she’s gone. The nurse said her father and Henry p>
“Henry!” Rafael roared, his grey eyes blazing with fury and heartbreak. “That bastard! Her boyfriend? No, she loved me! She chose me!” He collapsed back against the pillows, weeping openly, his broad shoulders shaking. “Why didn’t she tell me about him sooner? Why did she leave me in the dark? Bring her back, James. I can’t… I can’t live without her smile, her touch. She’s the only one who saw through my walls p>
The door opened, and a doctor—a middle-aged woman with glasses and a white coat—entered, alerted by the monitors. “Mr. Vexley, you need to breathe. Your heart rate is spiking p>
Rafael ignored her, turning to James with pleading eyes. “James, promise me. Find her. This can’t be real. She called me that night—texted about the baby. Our baby! How could she be dead p>
James nodded, his voice steady despite the lump in his throat. “I’ll do everything I can, sir. But you have to rest p>
The doctor approached with a syringe. “I’m sorry, but we need to sedate you. This hysteria isn’t good for your condition p>
“No! I won’t sleep without her!” Rafael protested, but his words slurred as the needle pricked his arm. His eyes grew heavy, tears still streaming. “Eliana… forgive me He drifted off, his face finally peaceful in forced slumber.
James stepped out, his mind racing. He headed back to the front desk, where Nurse Reyes sat, her hands folded neatly. Beside her was another nurse, younger, with wide eyes and a ponytail.
“Nurse Reyes,” James said casually, leaning on the counter. “Just a quick question—how was Eliana’s condition when she was first brought in after the accident p>
The younger nurse perked up. “Oh, you mean the woman from the crash on Elm and Broad? Yeah, it was awful. She was brought in completely paralyzed—couldn’t move a thing below her neck. Mr. Jackson was a hero, keeping her stable on the way here. And then p>
Nurse Reyes interrupted sharply, her eyes flashing. “Yes, exactly. Paralyzed from the neck down. Tragic case.” She shot her colleague a warning glance.
James eyed Reyes suspiciously, noting the quick cutoff. “Thanks,” he muttered, walking away. Something was off—Reyes’s empathy from earlier now seemed scripted.
Back in the room, James sank onto the couch, staring at the sleeping Rafael. His mind replayed the events: that text Eliana had sent Rafael the night of the accident. Rafael had shown it to him the next morning at the office. “I’m pregnant, and it’s yours,” it read, followed by missed calls. How could a paralyzed woman send that? Fingers frozen, body broken—impossible. Was it someone else who sent it? Or was the whole accident a fabrication?
James stood, pulling out his phone. He dialed a number, his voice low. “Hey, it’s James. I need you on a job. Dig into Eliana Bennett’s accident on Elm and Broad road six days ago—everything. The death, the cremation, Henry Jackson, and especially the Monroe sisters. Something’s rotten here p>
The investigator’s voice crackled back. “On it. Give me 24 hours for prelims p>
James hung up, glancing at Rafael. The truth was out there, buried in lies—and he’d unearth it. No matter the cost, he was going to protect Rafael.