Chapter 18: Betrayed by a close ally
Dominic’s fist hovered in mid-air, still trembling. Only then did he notice the man’s lifeless form, his face disfigured.
He stepped back and dropped into the chair, breathing hard.
Lucas signaled the n to take the body away.
When the room was cleaned, Lucas handed Dominic a glass of water. "Marco is stronger now," he said cautiously. "We should reconsider attacking."
"No." Dominic stared ahead, eyes burning. "I won’t hide anymore. We’ll carry out the plan on ti."
Lucas held his gaze for a mont, then nodded.
Later that day...
When Dominic slipped into the apartnt, it was getting dark. Thankfully, Mila had not returned yet.
He strode straight to his room and headed to the sink, turning on the tap. Cold water ran over his hands as he scrubbed his blood-stained knuckles. He changed his clothes, washing and wiping until no stain remained. Then he stepped to the balcony and lit up a cigarette.
His mind replayed everything he had learned. It was shocking for him that Marco, Alejandro’s most trusted man and a close ally, had actually planned his assassination.
His jaw tightened as he sucked the smoke harder. mory of his childhood surfaced.
As an orphan, Dominic had struggled every day – for food, for shelter, for safety. He had stayed hungry for days and learned early that survival ant strength. There had been nights he thought he would die.
Then Alejandro appeared. He had taken him in, fed him, and given him a place which he could call ho. He had trained him, taught him discipline, and prepared him to be ruthless if necessary.
One evening, Alejandro had casually ntioned he would na Dominic his successor.
At the ti, Dominic had been shocked. He had asked him why he chose him when he had Marco, his nephew.
’Marco is impulsive, too impatient. He lacks the temperant to rule.’ That was Alejandro’s opinion.
Dominic had not questioned him again. He had accepted the responsibility, believing it was his duty to honor the man who had saved him.
But now, he regretted it.
If he had known that the decision would cost Alejandro his life, he would have refused. He would have handed the throne to Marco without hesitation and served him for the rest of his life.
His hand slightly trembled as he drew the smoke again.
Movent near the gate caught his attention. He narrowed his eyes to understand what was happening there. He noticed a man blocking Mila’s path.
His expression turned lethal when he recognized that man.
"Ethan again?" he muttered in an icy tone.
He tossed the cigarette down, crushed it under his shoe, and stord out.
Outside, Mila was about to enter the gate when Ethan rushed over and blocked her way.
"You?" Mila stepped back instinctively.
Ethan looked haggard, unstable. The sll of alcohol was suffocating.
Mila hardened her face. "Get out of my way."
"I won’t until you listen to ." He stood firmly before her, determined to convince her to co back to him.
"Why don’t you love
anymore?" he demanded, grabbing her shoulders. "How could you end things with
so casually? Was it a ga for you?"
Mila’s patience snapped. "Did you ever think about my feelings? You played with . You made
look like a fool."
Fury shook her voice. "I heard everything that night."
Ethan’s face paled. ’What did she hear?’ he wondered. ’Was she there at the party?’
This ti, Mila didn’t hide anything. "I rushed to the club to surprise you that night. I bought a ring for you and planned to propose to you. I was ready to marry you."
A stunned silence enveloped Ethan. He realized he had ssed up badly. He had never known that the fun of that night would push her away from him.
"But I discovered your betrayal," she went on with a cold sneer. "You never loved . It was always Bianca in your heart. So I stepped away, gave you the freedom to be with her. Shouldn’t you be happy?"
He shook his head. "No, no. That’s not true. I said those things to impress Bianca, to look cool in front of my friends. But it’s not real. I never loved her. It’s only you in my heart."
Mila stared at him with disgust. "To impress her? Stop lying already. I’m not blind. I see things clearly. You don’t love . You were with
only for my shares. You were planning to make
transfer the shares to Bianca."
"You misunderstood things." He grabbed her hands. "It’s Bianca who wanted your shares. She asked
to help her get them. I agreed only to make her believe
so I could have so fun with her. But in reality, I never loved her. I never ant to force you to transfer those shares. Please believe . It’s only you I ever wanted to marry."
"You are hopeless," Mila grumbled. His explanation only intensified her revulsion. "You said you loved , yet you wanted Bianca as well. How disgusting. I am glad that I’ve found out your true nature before it’s too late."
She tried to walk past him. "There is no dealing with you anymore."
"Stop." He grabbed her arm.
"Let go of ." She shoved him.
He lost his temper. "You can’t ignore ," he growled and pushed her against the boundary wall.
Mila gasped, terrified. "What are you doing?"
"I am reminding you who you belong to," he hissed, leaning closer. "You are mine and can only be mine."
He forced his lips onto hers.
Mila’s whole body recoiled in disgust. She struggled, pushing against him. But his strength overpowered her.
He coiled his fingers around her throat as he kissed her even harder.
Mila’s mind went blank. She desperately wanted to break free, call for help, but she was trapped, helpless. Just as fear was about to consu her, a sudden force yanked him away.
Ethan was thrown violently aside.
When Mila ca to her senses, she saw Ethan sprawled on the ground. She gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. She looked up to see Dominic.
He stood there, eyes dark, cold, and dangerous.
Reviews
All reviews (0)