They went downstairs. Victoria's face remained frozen the entire time. Briana didn't dare speak.
In the parking lot, Victoria unlocked her Audi R8 and slid inside. Briana barely had time to settle into the passenger seat before the car shot forward like a bullet.
They reached the hospital in minutes.
Victoria parked quickly and rushed inside. Briana had to run to keep up with her long strides.
At the door of the room, Victoria paused. Took a deep breath. Then opened it.
Her eyes contracted at the sight.
Arianna lay on the bed, covered in bruises. A bandage wrapped her forehead. Her face was swollen from slaps - almost unrecognisable, despite her beauty. One rib was broken. Most wounds were external, but that didn't make them hurt less.
She was still unconscious.
Victoria inhaled sharply. Fury rushed through her, hot and immediate. She forced it down, locked it away, and strode inside.
Briana followed, her heart clenching at the sight. She moved to the bedside and took Arianna's hand in hers, tears threatening to fall.
Silence stretched.
Finally, Victoria spoke. Her voice was cold, controlled.
"I remember before we parted ways, I told you to learn martial arts. To become stronger if you wanted to be with her. Did you do that?"
Briana blinked at the sudden question. "Yes. I've been learning since then. Boxing, Taekwondo, archery, freestyle. I'm doing well. I also do sports with Arianna - keep her physically strong too."
"Good." Victoria's tone was neutral.
Briana hesitated, then asked, "Can I ask you for a favour?"
"What is it?"
"I'm furious about what happened. It involves me too. I want revenge. I want to beat him." Her voice hardened with rare seriousness. "I believe I can. But I can't find him. Will you find out where he is?"
Victoria studied her for a long moment.
"Okay. But don't cross the line."
Briana's face lit with gratitude. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Victoria turned to leave, then paused at the door. She looked back at Arianna's broken form, then at Briana.
"Take care of her. I'll handle the rest. You don't need to pay for anything." Her voice dropped, carrying the weight of unfinished business. "That time, I knew he should have been jailed longer. I failed to achieve that. But this time..."
Her eyes hardened.
"This time, I will never fail again."
She left before Briana could respond.