Chapter 40 40. Breathe For Me
Camila's POV
Pain yanked me out of the dark. It burned hot through my side, like someone had pressed fire into my skin.
I tried to move, but my body refused.
Warmth was the first thing I felt when my eyes finally opened. Not the cold sting of antiseptic or the beep of hospital machines. Just warmth spreading from where something heavy pressed gently over my hand.
Lucien's.
His long fingers were wrapped around mine, firm like he could anchor me here if I tried to drift away.
"Is this a ritual?" My voice cracked. He looked the same way he had when Rafael had collapsed, except this time, there was blood on his shirt.
His head snapped up. Those golden, unguarded eyes met mine, wide and bloodshot.
"Camila." My name came out hoarse.
"You look terrible."
"You got shot." His grip tightened. "You don't get to critique my appearance."
"Fair," I rasped, trying to smile, but the motion sent pain tearing through my side. "So this is your standard sick-person protocol?"
"Only for people who matter."
The words hit me hard. I wanted to respond, to match the intensity in his eyes, but pain lanced through my side and I gasped.
"Lucien-" Tears spilled before I could stop them. "It hurts so much."
He was on his feet instantly, hitting the call button. "The doctor said this might happen when you woke up. They're coming."
"Make it stop," I cried and I hated that, but the pain was everywhere.
He leaned close, his hand on my cheek. "I'm here. You're going to be okay. Just breathe."
"I can't-"
"Yes, you can. Just look at me."
I focused on him, the strain around his eyes, the tightness in his jaw. For a man who controlled everything, he looked utterly terrified.
The nurse came, the meds worked, and the fire dulled to a throb.
Lucien's voice was quieter when he asked, "Better?"
I nodded weakly.
The doctor ran through vitals, updates. I only half-heard them. I learned I'd been out for three days, the surgery went well, and if recovery stayed clean, I could leave soon.
When they finally left, I looked around for the first time.
Flowers and books everywhere. White lilies, pink roses, even sunflowers. Books were stacked near the window, and balloons tied to the rail.
"What is all this?"
"Your fans." He followed my gaze. "They've been sending things since the day you were shot."
"My fans?"
"You have about 800 thousand followers now. You're trending again. Apparently, the Internet likes a tragedy."
I frowned. "That's not funny."
He sighed. "Eyewitnesses posted videos before we could control the narrative. It went viral. We'll release an official statement now that you're awake."
I stared at the flowers again, the little love notes tucked among petals. People I didn't know wishing me well. It didn't feel real.
"Guess they only love me when I'm half-dead."
"Don't say that."
"Why not? It's true. They love Camila Sterling, the charming billionaire's girlfriend, not me."
His jaw tightened. "You don't get to decide what people feel."
"And you do?"
He went quiet, then sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"Rest, Fiera. You can argue when you're not full of morphine."
I managed a weak smirk. "Still bossy."
"Someone has to keep you alive."
"That someone needs to take a shower. He smells of hospital and regret."
His lips twitched. "I'm not leaving you alone-" the door opened just then and Rafael walked in.
He looked much brighter than the last time I'd seen him. Color in his cheeks, his usual swagger back.
"Rafael will watch over me," I said quickly. "You-go shower and rest. Don't come back until evening."
"I'll be back in thirty minutes," he cut in, releasing my hand.
He muttered something to Rafael I guessed was a warning to never leave my side. Then he looked at me one last time.
I opened my mouth, but he stopped me with a single look.
"Don't. Don't thank me, or apologize, or say anything that'll remind me how I almost lost you."
And then he was gone.
The words stuck in my throat. Maybe he'd already read them in my face.
Rafael gave a small smile as he sat beside me.
"You scared everyone."
"Yeah, I'm good at that."
He chuckled, then asked, "Pain?"
"Manageable."
He nodded. "Lucien's been here since the ambulance. Didn't leave once."
A shaky laugh escaped me. "Of course he didn't."
We sat in comfortable silence until the door opened again.
Rafael stood, ready to snap at whoever it was, but he froze.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Ronan walked in.
Gone were the rough, mop-like hair and smirk. He now had a military style cut and wore a cream-colored suit that seemed to make his skin pop. Nadia followed behind him in a pencil skirt and blouse, carrying a briefcase.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Rafael snapped.
"Checking on family," Ronan said smoothly. "Unless yard dog Cortez forbids compassion."
Rafael stepped forward. "Add some respect to my name."
"Only if you move." Ronan's eyes flicked to me. "May I?"
Rafael didn't budge.
"It's fine. I'm sure Lucien wouldn't mind," I cut in, forcing calmness. "At least someone will stay with me while you get me something to eat. I'm getting hungry. Maybe fruit?"
He hesitated, eyes flicking between us, then he muttered something in Italian and left.
The air changed the moment that door clicked shut.
Ronan's polite mask vanished and that familiar coldness settled over his features.
"Well." His gaze skimmed over me. "You survived."
"No thanks to you."
"Actually, thanks to me." He dragged a chair closer, sitting where Lucien had been. "If I hadn't made you into a strong woman, you'd be dead."
"You leaked the betrayal to Kassim and Valente," I hissed. "You tried to get Lucien killed."
"And you got in the way."
"You bastard! We almost died!"
"But you didn't." His tone was flat. "Now you've seen him clearly, a man with blood money and mafia ties."
"It was goods he smuggled, Ronan," I snapped. "Goods not people."
Ronan's smile widened. "So he told you part of it. Cute."
My heart thudded. "Part?"
"He started with weapons. Then came people. Families pay well for what they shouldn't have. And your noble CEO said yes."
"You're lying."
"Am I?" He tilted his head. "Or are you just desperate to believe he's better than he is?"
I thought of Lucien's face at the villa. The honesty in his voice when he'd confessed and said he would protect me.
"I don't believe you."
"Believe what you want." He shrugged. "But I'm not the one who almost got you killed."
"Stop diverting!" I hissed. "You used me for your vendetta. You're not avenging your girlfriend-Lucien didn't traffic her!" Pain flared in my side, but I didn't stop. "Who did, Ronan? Who was responsible for my trafficking? Who owned me?"
He leaned in, voice dropping. "Are you sure you want to know?"
"Tell me or I'm done working for you."
His eyes darkened. "Are you?"
Before I could react, his fingers pressed into my bandaged wound.
Agony exploded through me. I screamed, gripping the sheets. "Stop!"
"Being close to him is dangerous for you," he murmured.
The door burst open and he withdrew his fingers. The pain receded to a manageable level but tears still ran down my cheeks.
Standing there was Don Hayes. Impeccable in a grey suit, leaning on a cane, flanked by two men in black.
Since when did he use a cane?
"Well," he drawled, eyes sweeping the room. "Quite the reunion."
"I was just saying hello to my sister-in-law," Ronan said smoothly, stepping back.
Don ignored him, approaching my bed. "Are you alright?"
"Fine," I lied.
"You don't look it." He pulled out a handkerchief. "Here."
I wasn't expecting such gesture from him, but I took it, wiping my face. "Thank you, sir."
"My son cares about you." Don sat in the chair Rafael had vacated. "Which is... unfortunate."
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You're a distraction. A liability. The kind of woman who makes men weak." He folded his hands on the cane. "Lucien needs someone who builds his empire, not one who destroys it."
"That's what you came to tell a gunshot victim?" I bit out. "You're all monsters."
"That's precisely the problem," Don said, voice soft but venomous. "You make him human. He can't afford that. He's emotional now. That's bad for business. Bad for his inheritance."
He leaned forward slightly. "So, I'll be direct: walk away, and I'll find you a more suitable partner. I'm sure you wouldn't want to be the reason Lucien loses a 60 billion-dollar worth inheritance... because I won't hand Elysium Pinnacle to a man weakened by love."
Before I could speak, the door slammed open-
"GET AWAY FROM HER!"