CHAPTER 36—AMELIA POV

My flight to California felt different. It wasn't the plane ride, nor was it the weather because those things I felt a thousand times before.

The warmth of the subtle sunrise was usually a beautiful sensation but today it made me nauseous. I wanted to be in New York—it was calling to me.

I swallow away any uneasiness before walking through the tall glass double doors of the hospital, leaving my bodyguards behind.

Opening a new hospital wasn't a small feat and I wasn't going to let some unexpected nerves ruin it, especially since this was Eva Enterprises' first hospital from the ground up.

As soon as my foot went through the door, an eruption of cheer and hurrah engulfed me entirely.

Whether it was small children, who were soon to be moved here, or the elderly, who were going to spend their last moments here, everyone raised in joy.

Happy tears threaten to drop as I see the impact of how I've affected people's lives.

Frantic flashes of media cameras capture me, as I made sure I wore a simple black dress that would be photographed well from every and any angle.

After the cheer and media had calmed down, I was urged by the hospital managers to make a speech, something which I had not prepared for.

I take a deep breath, saying what feels natural to me. These people were the reason I was the Amelia Davis, so I was certain I could think of something to say.

"Thank you," I said and suddenly paused. There are televisions plastered throughout the vast reception area of the hospital showing the daily news.

Up until now it was just the daily weather and stock market updates before the breaking news headline appeared.

Billionaire Xavier King admitted into hospital after suffering a car crash caused by drunk driving.

What?

No one else seems to be paying attention to the news, as every eye in the crowd is glued to me.

Breathing becomes difficult as I can't take my eyes off of the screen. Chris, my media representation shoots me a glare, telling me to start speaking.

"I-I can't even begin to tell you all—" My eyes flickered back to the news reporter telling the story. "—how happy it makes me to know that you can be happy not only after you're finished with your hospital visits but whilst you're in here."

I've realized I hadn't been breathing as my lungs begged for air.

"Miss Davis?" A reporter raised his hand to ask a question. I nod to him, hoping that his question will give me a moment to compose myself. They were usually questions regarding what or who I was wearing and didn't require much effort to answer.

"This hospital has the largest emergency room in America—any reason for this?"

Why did someone finally ask an interesting question the day I've forgotten how to breathe.

I take a deep breathe, clearing my throat.

I was strong, I could handle this.

Life has thrown much worse at me.

"As you may or may not know, my mother passed away when I was 18 because I could not get her into in emergency room fast enough," I started. The crowd was completely silent. "So when I designed this hospital, I made sure that no one would face the same tragedy that I did. There is not one person who deserves what I went through, and I couldn't give it to them if I tried."

I hold my hand up, gesturing that I'm done answering questions before walking back out of the hospital, my bodyguards meeting me outside the doors.

After I'm seated into the glossy black SUV, that was driving me back to my hotel, my phone begins to ring—it's Jodie.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Amelia, I need you back in New York as soon as possible—it's urgent," she said.

"Is this about Mr King? Because I already know."

"What? No. It's not about Xavier."

"Then what is it?"

"Eric King is dead," she announced.

"What?" My heart drops "What do you mean he's dead?"

"This is not good for Eva Enterprises. People are doubting Eva Enterprises standard of concern for their patients."

"What? Why?"

"Because Eric killed himself."

"I'll be on the first flight back."

After ending the call, tell my driver to take me to the airport instead as I book a flight to New York from my phone.

After going through security I call and tell Jodie to meet me at the New York Mental Rehabilitation Centre with all relevant documentation.

I get a cab to the place, meeting up with Jodie at the doors of the hospital—there's no paparazzi here and, if I can get things under control, there won't be.

As soon as staff see me, the escort me to Eric's room. My gasp is audible when I see the state of his room.

The white cotton sheets had a crimson streak of blood. The blood was so fresh that its scent still lingered in the air. The blood continued down onto the floor where it pooled into a large puddle.

A single blade, presumably from a shaving razor, is afloat in the pool of blood.

I knew this would come and haunt me back the moment I looked away, but I needed to worry about the business side of it for now.

"How many people know about this?" I asked the hospital manager, unable to tear my eyes away from the scene in front of me.

"Just you two. We are still unable to get contact of Xavier King."

"And where—where is the body?" I felt ashamed to even ask.

"Until we receive confirmation that Xavier King has received the news, we must keep it in the morgue for preservation purposes."

"And then?"

"Well, depending on whether Xavier chooses to have his death investigated or not, it will be given to forensics or back to the family."

I shudder at the thought and the manager sees my obvious discomfort. "Eric was not in a good place, Miss Davis—always locked himself in his room, barely ate. And the lack of familial visits probably didn't help."

"Please make sure no other patients find out about this—it's better not to stress them out," I said. "Also deny all rumours until Xavier King publicly speaks out about this."

She nods and takes me back to the front desk. "These are all the recorded tapes of conversation between you and Eric—you won't get a chance to see them if Xavier King decides to investigate Eric's suicide." She handed me a pile of 3 CDs.

I take the CDs and get back into the car, which was waiting outside, and go back to my house. I could afford to take the rest of the day off—I needed it and I was meant to be in California anyway.

I go into my living room, rummaging through my storage to find my old laptop with a CD player in it.

I put the first of 3 CDs in, waiting for the video to load. I was confused as to why I had 3 when I only visited Eric twice.

"Talk," Eric's voice demanded. It felt unnatural to hear his voice now that he wasn't here anymore.

"Why do you want to kill me?" I cut straight to the point, even back then I wasn't taking bullshit from the Kings.

"No beating around the bush? No bullshit?" he asked rather quietly. "My kind of woman."

"Just answer my question," I said.

"So Xavier spilled the beans. Didn't expect that of him,” he said, more to himself than to me.

"He didn't," I blurted out and instantly regretted it, but now, Eric had a look of intrigue "…I found your letters."

"Oh," was all he said at first. "Well, if you really want to know, La—"

"Don't call me that," I stopped him.

I remember when that name was only for Xavier's lips to say.

"You think it's all me? Ask your dear husband what he did," he said.

"Don't get Xavier involved in this." I slam my fist into the table.

Oh, the way I used to defend him—pure foolery.

"Poor, Amelia. You're blinded by love…" He laughed to himself. "Ask yourself what you really know about Xavier."

He was right.

"He wouldn't hurt a hair on my head," I said confidently.

I laugh watching that back, I was sure back then.

"Maybe not your head, but your family?" He cocks an eyebrow.

"I can't believe how different you two are."

But really, they were the same—both cold killers, at least one had the decency to admit to his crime.

I take a shaky breath, exchanging the first CD for the second one, placing it into the CD holder and waiting for it to load.

"Well, I must say," Eric's sly voice said as soon as the video started, "you're just glowing."

"I can't say the same for you," I mumbled. His curly hair was now a bushy nest with specks of grey. Tired, baggy eyes were placed on top of unkempt stubble.

How could no one tell he was going through a rough time? He was deteriorating.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you busy running your business?" His sarcasm never failed to shine through.

"I supply this hospital with their equipment," I said. "I just came here to check up on some things and thought I might as well see you as well."

"How's your marriage?" he asked. His eyebrows raised excitedly, knowing he's hit a nerve.

"Xavier and I got divorced 4 years ago, after what you told me," I said, referring to that day.

"Well, I'm never wrong am I, Amelia?" He smirks. "And before you ask—yes, I'm fine. No, I haven't spoken to Xavier, and goodbye. Hope I see you never."

He pressed a button that was on every table, which rang a buzzer, and 2 hospital workers took him out of the room, and the video ended.

I put the final CD into the laptop, wondering what would be in it—since this was the last time I had spoken to Eric. The case of the CD had a small sticky note on it.

This is CCTV footage, but I thought you might want to see.

I press the space bar to begin the video.

"What do you want Eric?" Xavier asked.

Xavier?

This isn't for me, I'm sure that note was for Xavier, as well as the CD.

I can't look away though.

"The real question is, what do you want, Xavier?" Eric asked.

They were both sat in the lobby of the reception, outside the waiting room. The windows in the video show that it was either late at night or very early in the morning.

"I want you to leave me and my wife alone," Xavier snapped. "Stop spying on her and on me and sending those fucking creepy notes."

The things he did to hide his sins.

"I know how to make that happen." Eric laughs crazily. "You just have to do one thing."

"And what is that?" Xavier asked, his face devoid of amusement and emotionless.

"Kill Amelia."

What?

"What?" Xavier asked louder than I expected, making me shiver.

"Kill Amelia. I wanted to do it, but it'll be so much more satisfying coming from you," Eric said, his voice alarmingly smooth despite talking about me.

"I'm not going to do that. I love her more than anything," Xavier professed.

Lies.

"I know," Eric said in a cheesy way, "But does she love you 'more than anything,' huh?" Eric quoted Xavier. "She doesn't. She loves her mother more," Eric answered his own question. "And that's who'll kill her."

"What are you talking about?" I'm genuinely confused.

"You're going to kill her—"

"I'm not a murderer like you," Xavier said.

What?

"Don't be silly." He smiled. "I don't want you to take her life. I want to kill her."

Xavier stays silent, and I know his heart was beating as fast as mine is right now.

"Make her wish she was dead. Make her hate you." Eric laughs, the evil glint in his eyes shines in the camera.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because," he began, "I will leave you alone forever. I'll rot in this asylum full of lunatics and never bother you again."

"I don't believe you," Xavier spat out.

"Well, either you do it, or Jeremiah who is across the street from La will shoot her and her friend at my command," he said, revealing a burner phone from his pocket.

"No!" Xavier yelled, his reflexes making him get up from his seat.

"Personally, I would take my deal," Eric said casually, leaning back on the chair and playing with the phone.

"Yes, but you’re crazy," Xavier said.

"It's a funny thing, love, isn't it?" Eric started rambling. "Right now, you have to choose between killing her or having someone shoot her dead. This is why I don't love."

"What do you want me to do?" Xavier sighed.

"I know that she doesn't know that I killed her mother. That's why you're going to tell her you did it."

"No. Eric, I can't do that. I—" Xavier stuttered.

Eric started laughing. "I know. That's what makes this game so fun, Xavier. See, I get to kill her, and you get the blame."

No, no, no.

I knew what was going to happen, but I kept on watching.

"This way she will leave you, but they'll kill you, and it's going to destroy her…and that it so much better than me doing it." He winked.

"Ok," Xavier's voice whispered, and his shoulders slumped.

"Huh?" Eric had a massive grin on his face as he pretended he didn't hear what Xavier said.

"Okay. I'll do it." Xavier's voice cracked.

I slammed the laptop shut, not wanting to hear any more of it.

This can't be true.

I pull my phone out of my pocket, calling Xavier. My throat closes up as I hear the ringer.

I know he's probably in the hospital but that little light of hope in me wishes that he answers.

My prayer is answered when I hear the call pick up.

"Hello, Amelia?"