Chapter ninety seven

Chapter ninety seven
Rafaello’s POV

“Tell me what you’re not saying about her.”

“She’s fine,” Gibson answered, looking down at his file.

I glanced back at Alora, who was lying on the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, too still for someone who was supposedly fine.

“I’ll write you a prescription and a diet plan, okay?”

She didn’t bother responding. A nod was enough before Gibson walked off, shutting the door behind him, the click echoing louder than it should have.

“Go change. I’ll wait for you outside,” I instructed, placing the bag in my hand on the table.

She didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to.

I walked out and leaned lazily against the wall. The silence, the anger and irritation on her face every time she looked at me, was tearing me apart, a slow, grinding pressure beneath my ribs. I didn’t know how long I could keep doing this.

After a few minutes, she stepped out wearing a cozy hoodie and sweatpants, her comfort clothes. Over time, I’d grown to hate how aware I was of her habits, how they’d stuck in my brain like rules I wasn’t allowed to break, like knowing exactly where to hurt myself.

“Where’s Macko?” she asked, her hands digging into the hem of her sweater. She was nervous, and that alone made my jaw tighten.

“I’ll take you to him.”

I gestured for her to step forward and took her hand. I half expected her to swing at me, but instead she walked beside me to the other side of the ward where Macko had been admitted, her grip light, as if she could pull away at any second.

We reached the door just as Gibson was walking out.

“How is he?” she asked, her voice low with concern.

“Stable. We’ll keep him under observation until he improves,” he assured us.

I nodded at him, and he walked away, his footsteps fading too fast for my liking.

Luka stood by the door, his face cold, arms wrapped tightly around himself.

“Can I see him?” she asked.

“No,” he said flatly, stepping in front of her and blocking the entrance.

I stayed to the side, calm, watching, measuring how far this would go.

“Why?”

“This is all your fucking fault,” he growled, pointing at her.

“That’s enough. Do not dare raise your voice at her,” I said, my voice low, controlled, the dangerous kind.

He lowered his head and muttered something I didn’t bother catching.

“Get the fuck out of her way,” I ordered.

After a second of hesitation, he stepped aside. Alora looked at me. I nodded. She walked in, and the space she left beside me felt suddenly hollow.

I stood by the door, watching as she sat beside Macko and took his hand. For a split second, I wished it were me she was worried about, but I’d already ruined that, and I was still doing a damn good job of making it worse.

“Hey… I’m really sorry about what happened. I know it’s my fault,” she whispered.

She took a deep breath, a single tear sliding down her cheek. “You’d probably slap me for crying right now. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. I’ll be here for you.”

I stepped inside, my eyes landing on Macko, lying still on the bed, eyes shut. I placed a gentle hand on Alora’s shoulder, feeling how tense she was beneath my palm.

“He’s going to be fine.”

She turned away, sobbing quietly. My chest tightened as I stroked her hair, the instinct so natural it scared me.

“We need to go,” I said.

She’d cried enough. I wasn’t going to let her break apart any further, even if she thought I was being heartless.

“But… I just got here and,” she stammered, choking on her words.

“You’re not fine. We’ll come back another time,” I said, my voice firm and final.

She nodded. We walked out. Luka shot us a look before going back inside.

I led her down the corridor toward the parking lot, the sterile smell of the hospital clinging to my clothes.

“What about the medicine and the discharge?” she asked.

“Someone will handle it.”

I opened the car door for her. She got in, and I shut it before walking around to the driver’s seat. She fastened her seatbelt as I started the engine and pulled away.

The drive back to the mansion was quiet. She didn’t say a word, just kept glancing at me. When I looked back, she was glaring.

A smirk tugged at my lips. She was damn cute, and she had no idea how badly I wanted something that wasn’t ruin.

“I have a question,” she finally said.

“Ask.”

“Did you find anything about my parents?”

I slammed my foot on the gas, the car nearly colliding with the one in front of us.

“Fuck,” I muttered, gripping the steering wheel as I regained control, my pulse hammering in my ears.

“No,” I lied, my hands tightening around the wheel, the word tasting wrong the moment it left my mouth.

My grandfather had shown me the files, but he hadn’t been stupid enough to reveal their names. I only knew her parents were powerful. Still, I’d narrowed it down to one possible theory.

It couldn’t be that family. My family had been close to them for years, and now my mother and Maria were being accused of involvement. None of it made sense, and that uncertainty was exactly what terrified me.

“Are you lying to me?” she asked, her tone sharp, serious.

“Santino didn’t find anything,” I said, choosing deflection over truth like a coward.

She folded her arms and turned her face toward the window. She didn’t say another word, and the silence felt like judgment.

I pulled into the parking lot. Before I could even stop the car, she yanked off her seatbelt, opened the door, and slammed it shut behind her as she stormed off.

I shook my head, exhaling through my nose.The only woman who had questioned my sanity from the very first day she walked into my life, and somehow still mattered more than my own survival.

I followed her inside and headed straight for my office.

“Took you long enough,” Santino said, leaning back in his chair, swinging it slightly as he tossed a file aside, studying my face like he already knew the answer.

“It’s had to look real,” I muttered, dropping onto the couch, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “Did they fall for it?”

“Yes. A phone call was made this morning. They believe someone is helping them from the inside, so they’ve retreated to the sidelines for now.”

“Good. I want them thinking we’re weak,” I said.

“Nice move, bro. But how will you handle the risk after the division?”

“That’s not the problem,” I replied. “As long as they’re safe, I’ll deal with the rest.”

I shrugged off my coat and tossed it aside. I wasn’t sure I’d survive this, but the risk was worth the payoff.

“She’s still hiding it from you?” he asked.

“Yes,” i admitted “I just need a favor.”

“Name it.”

“I want her out in two days,” I said.
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