Maxwell smirked."Surprised uh? You thought I was dead."
Luisa gasped in surprise."No... No it can't be you ."Her hands were trembling.
Maxwell smirked then stood and walked over to Luisa.
He grabbed hold of her neck firmly, gazing deep into her soul."I've always thought the sayings were true,but now I can confirm that they were just mere illusion..."His tone was cold and emotionally detached."Not all Mother's care about their child no matter the pain they pass through while given birth to them... unless..." His gaze turned dark."Unless I'm not your child."
"No!" She gulped down her saliver." You're wrong... I.."
Colin gaze caught Dylan movements as he took the gun in the side table cabinet and aimed at Maxwell.
In a swift,desperate motion,he thrust Luisa towards Maxwell ,their eyes locking in a fleeting moments of understanding ,his gaze warning of the danger behind.
In a split second, Maxwell spun around,eveloping Luisa frightened form in his arms and the bullets meant for him found it's mark in her instead.
The bullets fired, ripping through her skull, silencing her instantly.
Her body fell limp to the ground.
The gun fell from Dylan hand to the ground as he went completely on his knees,close to her lifeless body."No!"
Maxwell smiled darkly."You've made my plans so easy... father." He began to laugh devilishly as he watched his father cry over her lifeless body.
"My plan was to end Luisa your wife, torture you and force you to watch how your abandoned son had always lived his life." A wicked grin appeared on his face." You've made my plans much easier." He chuckled." I'm just getting started father. I'll make sure you regret ever abandoning me."
He narrowed his gaze towards Colin , conveying a silent warning to subdue Dylan.
Colin nodded, walked towards Dylan and used just enough force to incapacitate Dylan before dragging him towards the car.
...
Sentara medical center.
Today is the day Dark would be discharged.
According to his father —he mustn't leave the hospital until a week pass.
Although he was treated like a vip,but that didn't conceal the rage he had for being trapped like a prisoner in an hospital.
But that wasn't all.
He stepped out of the private room and met another guard standing with Siren.
"Greetings,master Dark." They both chorused.
" Did father assign you to be my guardian?" He asked,his gaze burning into Roland.
"Yes,master dark." Roland answered plainly.
"Do you intend to go to a restaurant or head home?" Siren asked.
"I need to use the restroom."He replied, turning away.
The guards silently followed behind.
****
Ariana had arrived at the hospital earlier than expected so she could take her mother home — today was the day she'd be discharged.
After checking in , Ariana had gone to the restroom. As she stood by the sink, washing her hands,she suddenly froze. That voice — it was familiar. Strange,but it stirred something deep within her. Yes. They had crossed paths before, briefly. But hearing him now made her feel something different .
Like a strange connection...like her soul recognized his pain.
She found herself stepping closer to the thin wall separating them.
From the other end of the restroom Dark was filled with rage,his eyes were red. "Argh!" He screamed."Why does everything in my life have to be so damn hard?" He growled, hitting his hand on the wall."Why was I born into a life that feels more like a prison?" He dug his hand through his hair .
"I never asked to be born...what use am I living?"
"You don't have to carry it all alone." She spoke softly,unsure if he would hear her or she'd regret saying it at all." Sometimes life hurts more than it should,but that doesn't mean you're broken or useless...Just...have to fight and not give up. There could be a reason you're still alive."
Silence.
Dark let out a low chuckle. Not cruel, mocking,but surprised. A short laugh slipped out from his mouth as if he'd forgotten how to, but it ended quickly.
"Tch...you don't know anything about me." He muttered,his voice colder again." You shouldn't be here."
And just like that,she heard footsteps retreating. He was gone.
Ariana stood still,heart pounding. She didn't know what just happened,but somehow she had touched something real.
***
Dark walked fast,jaws clenched." Why did I say that? Why did her voice calm him? Argh!" He pushed open the next door of another restroom, farther from Ariana.
He gripped the sink, staring at his reflection in the mirror.. his reflection stared back—Cold, unreadable...but shaken.
"Tch..." He dug his hands through his hair." She shouldn't affect me."
Her words— they weren't afraid. It's felt like she saw him... His real self.
A dry laugh excaped his mouth before he could stop it." What the hell's wrong with me."
He quickly wiped it off with his sleeves,the corners of his mouth already curling before he could force them down.
He didn't smile.
He knitted his brows into a frown.
He never smiled.
He shoved the door open and stormed out, burying every trace of warmth she lit inside him.
....
Blackstone mansion
President Xavier stormed into his mansion, his steps echoing with rage. Luckily he ran into Venom. Just the person he wanted to see.
"Greetings, President Xavier," Venom said calmly.
"Keep your greetings to yourself," Xavier snapped. "Who the hell is leaking information to Dark?"
"What did he hear?" Venom asked, still composed.
"How did he know he's my weakness?"
"You're raising your voice, President Xavier. Don't you think someone might overhear?"
"I don't care! I'm going to die anyway. What's the point, Venom? He already knows the truth... He'll always find a way to hurt himself just so I'll suffer, feel the pain, and regret everything I did to him all those years ago..."
"Sir, you need to stay calm. Maybe he doesn't know what you think he does."
"No, I heard him. I know he knows. And it's your fault! you're the reason he found out. What use are you anyway..." He barked.
"Sir ... I...I don't understand.why am I to blame?" Venom stared at him, confused.
"You haven't come up with a solution in eighteen years? So i see no reason why I shouldn't end you right here and now."
"I have solutions!" Venom quickly blurted out, fear flashing in his eyes.
Xavier's expression shifted,suddenly calm as he stared at him. "Huh?"
Venom exhaled in relief. "I've always had the solution. But I didn't want to tell you because… you might have gotten frustrated by how long you'd have to wait before he's finally dead."
"So, you were worried I might get frustrated..." Xavier chuckled darkly. "Tell me...what's the difference now?"
"No difference. That's why I'm telling you now. The remedy will only work on his twentieth birthday."
Xavier smirked. "That's two years from now."
"And he has to be here. Which means you'll have to arrange a big birthday party for him... according to his taste, so he doesn't get suspicious. If he does, our plan might fail."
"That's going to be hard. But as long as he's dying on that day, I'll surely make the move."
"But there's something else that must be done for the remedy to work."
"Speak." Xavier looked at him intently.
"A newborn has to be prepared and ready for the final infusion. And trust me, President Xavier… you'll get everything you've ever wanted—popularity, riches, fame, and most especially, power."
Xavier smiled widely, showing his perfect white teeth. "You aren't as useless as I thought."
"When I was struggling to raise money for my brother's hospital bill… when no one was willing to help me—no job, no support. I begged for anything. And then you came. You changed my life in the blink of an eye. I'll forever serve you till death."
"They're all in the past now," he smiled. "Let's have a drink… Venom."
They walked away.
Meanwhile, Kiara had been hiding in a corner, overhearing their discussion from the beginning. She couldn't help but gasp quietly in shock.
*"So this is why Xavier won't kill Dark… if he does, he'll die with him. I have to tell Dark."*
She quickly hurried away.
***
Dark lay on his bed, playing games on his phone. Suddenly, a message popped up:
*"Are you still interested in destroying the person who made you look like trash?"*
A smirk formed on his lips as he recognized the words.
*"How the hell did that jerk get my number?"*
Another message popped up and an address displayed.
Then, another popped up: *"Come alone."*
Dark chuckled darkly. *Does he think he can fool me?*
"Well, if he wants to play games, I'll play along."
Just then, a call came in.
*Unknown Caller.*
"Another one of his tantrums, huh?" he muttered and answered the call.
"You're so bad at kidnapping—so poor at it. But don't worry, I'll still cooperate... if you kidnap me properly."
"Kidnap?" Kiara's confused voice came through.
Dark immediately sat up. "Kiara?" He slapped his forehead, embarrassed.
"You didn't hear anything I just said… did you?"
"Of course I heard. Kidnapping and all that stuff."
"It's just a speech I was practicing," he said quickly. "I was rehearsing and wanted to see if I got it right ...I thought you were someone else."
"Oh," she answered, not convinced. "Anyway, I called to tell you some good news."
"Good news?" Dark scoffed. "There's no such thing as good news for someone unwanted like me."
"You're not unwanted. You're only like this because of your father."
"You can say that again," he muttered, rolling his eyes.
"I'm serious. Today I overheard Xavier and his assistant talking. He mentioned the real reason he hasn't killed you all these years... but they're planning to—once you turn twenty."
"Planning what?" Dark asked, now fully alert.
"He said you're—"
"Yes, I'm what? Kiara?!" he shouted. He threw the phone onto the bed."god damnit. She must've been caught."
***
"X-Xavier! I can explain... It's not what you think," she stammered, her hands trembling.
Xavier's gaze was locked solely on her, like a predator eyeing its prey. His expression was unreadable as he walked slowly toward Kiara, who kept backing away.
"I'm sorry." The words slipped from her mouth in a faint whisper.
"Sorry?" He was now just an inch away from her. "You're sorry for always leaking information to Dark?"
Her breathing grew raspy as she stared at him, fear filling her eyes. "I-I'm so sorry."
"Shut up!" He slammed his hand against the wall beside her, making her flinch. "What have you been telling him?" he asked softly, but the anger in his tone was still unmistakable.
Tears welled up in her eyes. "I..."
"Don't speak," Xavier cut her off. He closed his eyes, trying to contain his rage. "I purposely revealed my secret out loud so I could catch the culprit. I should have known my wife would have the audacity, especially since you're so close to Dark.
As my wife, you had no right to overstep. A wife isn't meant to meddle—she's meant to mind her business. You're supposed to stay in your room, obey me, and do as I say. But you went beyond your limits.
Talking has always been your talent—you just can't stop." His eyes burned red with fury. "Don't worry, I'll make it easy for you to stop... permanently."
Kiara shrieked, "No! Please... don't hurt me!" She couldn't hold back her tears any longer and broke down crying.
"Don't worry," he said, wiping her tears. "I won't hurt you…"
Then he injected her with a sleeping dose.
She fell asleep in his arms.
"You won't feel the pain when your tongue is cut off… but when you wake up…" He smirked. "The pain of not being able to speak will be… unforgettable."