127 - Benjamin Scott

127 - Benjamin Scott
Benjamin Scott

As soon as the car approached the hospital, I felt the tension in my shoulders ease slightly. The image of Camilla, even exhausted, but holding our little one in her arms, along with the other three in the nursery, was a powerful reminder of what I was protecting. Every decision, every alliance, and every sacrifice I made was for them.

Victor parked and looked at me through the rearview mirror.

"Are you planning to go home tonight?"

I gave a faint smile and shook my head.

"I’m not going home while my wife and children are here. I’ll ask for clothes to be arranged for me and Camilla," I informed him.

I saw him nod in acknowledgment as Victor parked in front of the hospital. The area in front of the building was calmer at that hour, but the presence of my trusted men around was evident. From this moment on, there was no room for mistakes or distractions from any of them.

I walked through the hospital entrance and headed straight to the maternity floor. I noticed Miley and Andreia talking in the hallway. Miley’s expression softened when she saw me, while Andreia maintained her usual neutral and serious demeanor, though I could detect a faint relief in her eyes.

"Is she resting?" I asked as I approached.

Miley nodded.

"Finally. After holding each of the babies, she seemed to relax a bit more," Andreia said.

"While you were out, the pediatrician came by and said that the babies, even being born at almost seven months, have a good weight. Miraculously, they don’t need any help breathing. For discharge, they just need to reach the required weight!" Miley informed me, and that news brought immense joy to me.

"I’m going to stay with Camilla, and then I’ll go see our children," I said before anyone could stop me.

When I entered the room, the soft sound of Camilla’s breathing filled the space. She was lying on her side, her face turned away. Her expression was calmer now, as if the weight of the past weeks had, for a moment, lifted.

"I’m back, my love," I murmured, my voice low so as not to wake her.

I looked at Camilla again, and at that moment, I made another silent promise: to ensure that she and our children would never have to fear the world around us.

After a few minutes watching my wife sleep peacefully, I decided to return to the hallway. Victor was waiting, and his expression suggested he had something to report.

"Any updates?" I asked.

He nodded.

"We received an update about the managers. It seems one of them tried to reach out to Oleg, and when he didn’t get a response, he backed off…" my soldier explained.

"So, we already know there are rats among us. Call in two more soldiers, find him, and take the manager to the same hole where that scoundrel is," I ordered, knowing Victor would choose the best to accompany him and instill a little fear in the manager.

I watched him leave, and Oliver approached with the goofy grin only he could have. Today, after everything I’d been through and knowing how gratifying it is to have my family close, I thanked God for giving me my family.

Even Oliver, the playful one, stood by my side, leaning against the wall beside me. We were standing in front of the room where my little devil was resting, and from there, I could see her sleeping.

"Congratulations! The boys are a mix of you and Camilla, but Giorgia… My God, we’ll have to train a lot of soldiers to keep the vultures away from her!" he said, and I clicked my tongue.

"The moment I saw her, I knew I’d have plenty of headaches with marriage proposals," I replied, slipping my hand into my pocket and feeling the pack of cigarettes. "I need a smoke!"

I looked down the silent hospital corridor and saw a fire exit door not far away. I didn’t want to leave my daughter alone, but the thought that, in the not-so-distant future, my little girl might be considered for marriage left me uneasy.

I walked toward it, with Oliver on my heels, knowing there would be someone in every corner of this hospital to protect my wife while I tried to expel the anxiety brewing inside me. Leaning against the wall, I smiled, grateful for the beautiful family I had gained and knowing that soon my children would have cousins to make our days even happier.

I lit a cigarette, watching the smoke rise slowly and dissipate into the air. The bitter taste seemed to match the swirl of emotions running through me, anxiety, happiness, and the constant weight of responsibility. Oliver leaned against the wall beside me, with that irritatingly carefree smile he managed to maintain even amid chaos.

“You know, Benjamin, it’s strange to see you like this, so… human,” he said, laughing softly and gesturing with his hands. “Father of four, already worried about your daughter’s future before she even learns to walk. Who would’ve thought?”

I took a long drag before responding, my gaze fixed on the invisible horizon ahead.

“It’s not just me, Oliver. Any man with something to lose feels this way. You’ll understand when your baby is here.”

Oliver nodded, his expression turning serious for a brief moment.

“Even before they were born, my quartet already meant the world to me,” I replied, exhaling the smoke slowly. “But that’s exactly why the fight never ends. Every day is a different battle.”

Oliver laughed again, but this time, there was a trace of bitterness in his voice.

“Well, if anyone tries to harm little Giorgia or any of our kids, they’ll have a slow and painful death. That, I guarantee,” my cousin said, his voice heavy with a fury I shared.

I gave a half-smile, flicking the cigarette butt to the ground and stomping it out.

“And I’ll count on you for that. But until then, I hope they can just be kids, untouched by the shadows of our world,” I murmured.

Before Oliver could respond, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Victor’s name lit up the screen, and I instantly knew it was something important. I answered quickly.

“Speak.”

“The manager has been found. We’re taking him to the basement, as you requested. But there’s something else…” he said, and I glanced at Oliver.

“I’m on my way.” I hung up and looked at Oliver, who was already straightening up.

“Finally, I’ll put an end to Oleg.”

I had gotten what I wanted, all the information needed to expose whoever was plotting against me. And by the looks of it, I had far more enemies than friends.

“Looks like the night is just getting started,” he commented with a hint of sarcasm.

“You can bet on it,” I replied, already heading back into the hospital.

I walked quickly down the maternity ward corridor, stopping for a moment to glance into the room where Camilla was resting. The sight of her gave me the strength I needed to head back to the factory and put an end to Oleg, who had long overstayed his time. I kissed my fingers and touched the door before moving on.

“I’ll be back soon, my love,” I murmured, more to myself than to her.

As I headed toward the car with Oliver, one thing was certain: peace was finally beginning to approach our family.