Edward called one of his men after he was done assaulting her. He savored what he had done, enjoying every second of her brokenness. Tears still streamed down her face, but she was too shattered to even speak.
He tossed her some clothes. His plan had succeeded—and his next target would be Nadia. A cruel smirk formed on his lips.
"Give her some clothes. Don't touch her. She's my plaything until I find a new toy," he ordered.
He had gathered a group of men as greedy for money as he was. They wore masks to keep their identities hidden from their victims.
"Ah, Nadia… When will I finally get to have you?" He muttered to himself.
He watched as one of his men gently wrapped Mariely's fragile body. Edward chuckled at the irony of such gentleness after what he had just done to her. Soon, she lost consciousness, collapsing as he left her lying there.
Now, his plans—long delayed—would finally be set into motion. He would destroy the Celestial family and everyone connected to them. He loved every bit of what he was doing.
"Hey," he called lazily to one of his men. The man glanced at Mariely, still watching her.
"Touch her later. She's my temporary plaything. Got it?" Edward snapped.
The man only gave a faint nod.
"Go get me some cigarettes. I forgot mine. My bad." Edward ordered.
The man left quietly. Edward preferred silent followers—it suited him better.
While waiting, Edward pulled out his gun, keeping it close. He knew Mariely couldn't escape—not anymore. Maybe she had already lost her sanity.
Don't lose your mind just yet, my dear Faith. We're only getting started. I still have so much planned for you, he thought darkly, laughing at his own thoughts.
Soon, his man returned with the cigarettes.
"Have you cleaned up the mess over there?" Edward asked two masked men as he lit one.
They nodded silently.
He blew out a puff of smoke, glancing back at Mariely. She was still asleep, breathing faintly.
"You need the rest. Because once we have guests, you won't be resting at all. I don't care if you miscarry. In fact, I'd prefer you not be pregnant. Should I give you something to get rid of that baby?" he sneered.
Then he grinned. "Oh wow, I really am a genius, huh? Let's make you lose that child, Faith. We can always make another one."
"Hey, you," Edward called to one of his men, throwing an arm around his shoulder. The man flinched at his touch.
"Relax. I'm not that bad—as long as you're good to me." Edward chuckled, patting him on the back.
"Ask the pharmacy if they have something that works fast to terminate a pregnancy."
The man froze in shock.
"Stock up if you find any. Enough to make sure this woman loses her seven-month-old child."
The man hesitated.
"What's wrong? I'll pay you a lot of money," Edward said coldly.
The man nodded weakly.
Edward smirked again. "Oh, you're awake. Shall we have a second round?"
Mariely's weak voice trembled. "Don't involve my child in your wickedness."
"Why not? What can you even do? You're helpless. No one's coming for you. Be a good woman, and I'll treat you right," Edward mocked.
"You're a demon!" she spat, anger searing through her fear.
He grabbed her hair, forcing her face up. "Looks like we'll go back to our old ways, Mariely."
He stripped her again. She screamed, fighting him desperately, but he pinned her down, placing a hand over her swollen belly.
"Say goodbye to your baby."
"Demon! Don't you dare touch my child!"
He was about to force himself on her again when the man he had sent earlier burst in.
"What?" Edward barked. "What did you forget this time?"
The sound of a gun cocking filled the room. Edward froze, realizing the man had a weapon aimed at him.
XXX
"What is this? Have you lost your mind?" Edward growled, hearing the man's mocking laughter.
The man tore off his mask, while Mariely frantically covered herself with the clothes nearby.
"B—Brother Nathan…" Her voice broke as she burst into tears.
"Oh, it's you," Edward sneered. "Did you bring your wife so I could have a taste of her too?"
Nathan's rage burned inside. He could not bear what Edward had done to his sister—assaulting her, trying to kill her child.
"Tell me, Faith," Edward taunted, "should I go after your brother next and choose his grave for him?"
Through tears, Mariely sobbed, "Brother, he killed Frank… he killed him…"
Nathan sighed heavily, his grip tightening on the gun. "Let my sister go."
"And if I refuse? What can you do? This is my turf. You walked straight into my trap," Edward laughed mockingly.
Nathan fired a shot—deliberately missing Edward.
"You little—!" Edward snarled.
"Brother, no! Edward, please! Don't hurt my brother!" Mariely cried, bound and helpless.
Edward smirked. "Sorry, Faith, but your brother will meet God first."
Before Nathan could advance, Edward threatened, "If you'd studied the field before playing hero, you'd know this is my game. You're just a rat caught in the trap."
Suddenly, more of Edward's masked men appeared.
"Oh good, my companions are here. Maybe I should've brought your lovely wife and children, Nathan. Even your little ones would've been delicious."
"Don't you dare involve my nephews!" Mariely barked.
Edward raised his gun toward him. "So tell me, Faith—who should die first? Your brother? Or your baby?"
Mariely wept, pleading incoherently.
"Or maybe I should end both at once, so nothing gets in my way," Edward smirked.
Nathan forced himself to remain calm, though fury surged within him.
"Kill the man," Edward ordered his men. "Then get the abortion pills."
But Nathan only smiled coldly. "Who said I came alone?"
Edward snapped his gaze back at him. "What?"
"No, Edward—you're the one who's lost your mind. Haven't you noticed what's happening to your precious turf right now?" Nathan taunted.
"Release my sister," Nathan demanded firmly.
Heavy footsteps echoed.
"Edward Carl Geronima, you're under arrest!" a police officer shouted.
Edward's eyes widened in shock as police stormed into the hideout.
"You!" he growled, aiming his gun at Nathan before yanking Mariely into his grasp, pressing the weapon to her head.
"Let my sister go," Nathan warned, his voice sharp and commanding.
"I'll only release her if I escape. Do you really think you can stop me?" Edward barked.
The police held their fire—Edward had a hostage.
But one masked man lunged, striking Edward in the ribs and wrenching Mariely from his grip.
"Seize him now!"
The man's mask came off—revealing Clover.
"You took too long, Clover," Nathan exhaled.
"Zean… Zean…" Mariely wept, collapsing in Clover's arms. He wrapped her in a jacket, covering her trembling body.
"You will pay for this! You will pay!" she screamed at Edward, her grief and rage overflowing.
Handcuffed, Edward sneered, but Mariely slapped him again and again. "You killed my fiancé! You nearly killed my child! You devil!"
She broke down, screaming Frank's name over and over until she fainted in Nathan's arms.
Blood trickled down her thigh.
Nathan's heart pounded as he lifted her. "I'll take her to the hospital. Handle him here."
He carried her quickly, determined. Blood stained his clothes, each drop fueling his vow.
"You won't miscarry, Faith. You will survive. And your baby will too," he whispered as he drove toward the hospital.