Chapter 5%
“The heart attack was severe,” the doctor said. “Your father is in critical condition, and while we’re doing everything we can, it’s too early to say when–or if–he’ll wake up.“}
I stood frozen. Regret clawed at my chest. I had thought confronting Mikael and Sarah would fix everything, but instead, it had torn my family apart.
“Thank you, doctor,” Rafael said, stepping in as I struggled to find my voice.
The doctor nodded and left us in the sterile silence of the hospital hallway. I sank into a chair, burying my face in my hands. “This is all my fault.”
“It’s not,” Rafael said. He crouched beside me, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. “Your father’s condition isn’t your doing, Sofia. You were protecting yourself. You were doing what needed to be done.“}]
I looked up at him, his dark eyes sincere. “It doesn’t feel that way.“}]
“Sometimes the right thing doesn’t feel good,” he said softly. “But you’re stronger than this. You’ll get through it. We’ll get through it.“} I was about to respond when a familiar voice interrupted us.
“Sofia,” Mikael called out, striding toward us. His hair was disheveled, his tie loosened, and his face twisted in an expression of desperation. “We need to talk.“}
“There’s nothing to talk about,” I said.
He stopped in front of me, ignoring Rafael’s presence. “Please, Sofia. I know I’ve made mistakes, but I’m sorry. I regret everything.“} “Regret doesn’t erase what you’ve done,” I snapped, rising to my feet. “It doesn’t fix the lies or the betrayal.”
“I’ll change,” Mikael said. He reached for my hand, but I stepped back. “I’ll be better. For you. For us. Just… take me back. It was just a mistake and Sarah, Sarah seduce me…”
I stared at him, the man who had once meant everything to me. Now, all I felt was disgust.
“No,” I said firmly. “I’ve made my choice. And it’s not you.”
For a moment, Mikael looked genuinely heartbroken. His shoulders slumped, and tears welled in his eyes. “Sofia, please-” Then he laughed.}
A low, sinister chuckle that sent chills down my spine. He straightened, wiping his face as if erasing the sadness he had worn like a mask. His expression twisted into something cruel and mocking.
“You think you’ve won, don’t you?” he sneered. “Oh, finally. I was done pretending I fucking so love you. But no need for that. What you have done is for the better. I mean, I didn’t even have to lift a finger.”
“What are you talking about?” I demanded.§
Mikael’s smirk deepened as he pulled a folded document from his pocket. “Your father signed this yesterday. An irrevocable agreement.”}
My stomach sank.
“In the event of your father’s incapacitation,” he continued, “half of your family’s estate now belongs to me. And that’s not all. There’s a clause stating that in his absence, your legal guardian is… me. So, maybe you need to obey me, little puppy.”
“No,” I whispered, snatching the paper from his hand. My eyes darted over the words, each one confirming his claim.”
“Yes,” Mikael said. “You thought you were outsmarting me, Sofia, but you’ve only made things worse for yourself. Even if you marry Rafael, you lose. I mean, what does Rafael have anyway? He was nothing to me. Exiled.”
I stared at him, not knowing what to do. I had tried to change the course of my life, but somehow, it had spiraled further out of control.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked.
“Because I can,” he said simply. “And from the start, I just need your family’s money. With this, I can be a top mafia group and finally be equal with Ace of Queen mafia group.”
Ace of Queen? The number one powerful mafia in the country in which no one had known their big boss, that was his goal?
Before I could respond, the sound of heels clicking against the floor drew my attention. Sarah appeared, her arm looped through Mikael’s. She smiled sweetly, the light catching on the diamond ring glittering on her finger.
“Hey there, best friend,” Sarah said. She held up her hand, flashing the ring. “Let me introduce you to my boyfriend. Oh, wait, you already know him, right?“”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut.
Mikael wrapped an arm around her waist. “That’s right, Sofia. Meet Sarah, my fiancée. You didn’t think I’d be waiting around for forever, did you?”
Rafael stepped forward, his stance protective. “Get out of here, Mikael. Now.”
you
Mikael laughed again, pulling Sarah closer. “Oh, I’ll go. But remember, Sofia–every move you make, every decision you try to take… I’m always one step ahead. And brother, don’t even try to beat me. You’ve been trying for years already, but what’s gotten you?“}
Rafael laughed, something I didn’t expect. “Come on, brother. You might regret that soon if you truly know who I am now.”
Malia Boyfriend Killed
