I waited impatiently for Dr. Helms to check on her after laying her trembling form down on the bed in one of the guest rooms and increasing the temperature a tad bit more to help warmup her frigid figure while Brandon invites Dr. Helms inside the room and and he steps out.

"Took you long enough to get here," I sneered when he rushed over towards her to examine her vitals, accompanied by the nurse.

"I apologize, Mr. Venttali. The roads are risky to drive on fast due to the severe weather," he sought to explain, however I shut him off in such a dismissive tone as the doctor immediately trembled in fear. "Shut up and instead just tell me what the hell is wrong with her?" I said.

"Y-yes sir. She wasn't in great condition the last time I visited." "She had hypothermia," he says as he uses the thermometer to check her temperature and lightly places his index and middle fingers on one of her wrists on the opposite wrist, just below the base of the thumb to check her heart rate.

"Meaning?" I questioned him with my brows furrowed.

"Hyperthermia is abnormal body temperature," he explains as he returns the medical instruments to the nurse and turns to face me.

"Her body lost most of its heat faster than it could produce due to her prolonged exposure to the frigid winter temperature during the blizzard. This can harm the brain, causing the person to lose their ability to think coherently, move, or even pass out." "That was why she passed out again," he exclaimed, "because she went out in the cold weather anyway while her body hadn't totally healed from the previous time and mostly the injuries from the accident."

I paid close attention to every word he said, making sure I didn't miss anything. I returned my gaze to her sleeping figure, the pale and blue skin of her body obvious as she shuddered.

"Though it isn't too serious, no medication is required for her," he advised as I turned to face him again. "However, I would advise having her warm at all times for the next day and making sure to monitor her breathing because she did show symptoms of no apparent signs of pulse or breathing the very first time I examined her."

"Just making sure to keep her warm until her body can return back to its original temperature," he explained until I ordered him to stay at the estate for the time being till she recovered and dismissed him from the room.

As I approached her, I brushed a lock of hair from her forehead with my fingers across her chilly and delicate cheekbones, feeling her body tremble in cold once more, jolting me out of my trance until I observed those hand imprints on her face.

immediately images of the day she got married resurfaced through my eyes, reminding me of the bastard that she was bound to.

I quickly held my hand back from her face, recalling everything from the past before I stepped back to examine her untidy appearance. That's when I spotted her soaked and stained clothing. I dashed to the door, ordering Brandon to send over a couple staff maids in.

"Daniel, you must leave; the guests have requested your presence." As I assent and proceed to direct the maids, he continues, "They'll handle everything here, and I'll make sure to send Franco to monitor the area."

"Change her clothing; they're filthy."I ordered them and reminded them to call me as soon as she woke up, and I walked out the door, Brandon trailing behind. I need to cancel all of the tasks and get back to her as soon as possible.

I'm not sure how she got into this mess, but I'll have to figure this out soon and track down whomever is to blame. I'll have to ask Mateo as well; answers are what I'm looking for! I increased my speed as I approached the ballroom.

After the party, I was dismissing all of the visitors when I heard Gloria, one of my head maids, call out my name. Gloria has been my caregiver from When I was three years old. She is the only outsider throughout my life who I regard to be among the most significant individuals in my life.

"Mr. Venttali, the girl has regained consciousness." She continued, clutching onto her cane for assistance, "Your mother and sister are now with her." I thank her right away for notifying me and dash towards her room.

As I quickly make my way to the manor's guest wing, I notice Alex and Brandon lingering around at the threshold until they sense my approach. I questioned Omar's whereabouts after noticing his disappearance.

"He departed in a hurry after dismissing Miguel because he needed to finish some important work, however he requested us all to inform you," he explained. What had gotten into him, and why was he acting so suspiciously, I wondered.

"Boss, she's finally woken up, as Dr. Helms has already examined her," he stated while he moved out of the way for me as I gestured my head at him as well as reached the entryway.

I was about to walk until I overheard her speak, and I came to a halt in the middle of my strides. My body was already going nuts from having heard her angelic voice after so long while she chatted with my mother and sister, till I heard these last few words coming out of her mouth.

"No, I mean, I'm not married.... at least not anymore," she replied, her voice weak and dull while I stood transfixed against the doorframe, processing these words.

"Are you saying you're divorced?" " Soph interjects with a question, to which she responds yes, whilst Soph proceeds to comfort her with "Oh I'm so sorry."

Divorced, huh? So that asshole left her I thought. Wonderful, I thought to myself, faintly smirking. I thought they both loved each other? What happened to the so-called love now? I thought to myself while a flashback of their blissful faces and admiration for each other on the day I had lost her and that bastard won her. In a matter of seconds, my warm thoughts for her had turned into rage.

Why did he leave her though, or why did she leave him? I questioned.

This is why I don't believe in that shit thing "love". Never did and never will. It's a total waste of time and unnecessary stress to put myself through. Hence I'd never fall in love, expressing my dissatisfaction with the situation shaking my head.

Despite the fact that I never loved her, yet I always knew I needed her, by my side. She was my drug of choice, though I couldn't have it. Despite the fact that I would be willing to let all hell break loose simply to just have a taste of her, it had all been wrecked by the entry of that idiot. She truly is naive to even fall for him.

"It's alright," she replies, as I break out of my stance, hearing her talk once again, and decide to walk in, showing my presence as all of their attention went to me.

When I looked her in the eyes, her expression distorted with surprise. She averted her gaze for a second before returning it along with her mouth open, indicating that she had undoubtedly recognized me.

"Everyone out," I said, and they all did, with the exception of one individual. Soph approaches me, "Daniel I-" she begins to speak, but I interrupt her before she can finish. "Sophia, leave us alone," I said, my gaze now fixed on my terrified kitten.

She shifted her gaze about, fear visible on her terrified face and perspiration beading on her brow. I stride towards Sophia's side of the bed, standing strong on my spot and placing my arms behind my back while keeping my sight fixed on her.

My gaze remained for another one to two minutes around her form, as the alteration in her facial expression indicated that she was aware of my intentions. She pulled up on the soft blanket even more to cover her up till her swan-like gorgeous neck was hidden from my view, as if I were dissecting every part of her body.

I remained steady for a brief moment, silently watching her cute face as she slid deeper into the duvet, attempting to hide from me. All I wished to do was stare into those striking eyes for as long as I could, focusing on each and every part of her features till she snapped me out of my reverie. "You must be, Mr. Venttali. I-I am extremely thankful for you and your family's generosity."

"Your welcome," I responded quietly as I attempted to restrain myself from approaching her since I knew I wouldn't be capable of keeping my hands off her if I got any closer.

"How do you feel right now?" I inquired, attempting to clear my mind off my fucking filthy fantasies. What the fuck is wrong with me, I questioned myself. While I fondled my fists behind my back, I realized That I needed to calm the fuck down.

"I'm feeling much better, thanks to you guys" she replied, staring at her hands as she played with them.

"How did you get yourself into this mess?" I inquired, my voice authoritative. I ask again, my tone causing her distress. "What led you to be out in the middle of a storm?" I mean, "What prompted you to be out in the middle of a blizzard?" In a more relaxed tone, I questioned.

"Were you attempting to kill yourself?" I asked after allowing her a few seconds to respond and still getting no response. "Was that your intention?" I inquired as she stayed seated and continued to fidget with her fingers.

"I-I I was just... just... I mean," she tried to respond, but she couldn't since she didn't have a response or an excuse.

"Is it connected to your so-called husband in any way? Did he do something?" I ask, hoping to derive further information. As I sought to correct my mistake, I added, "I mean ex-husband." She instantly lifts her head and peers at me when that jerk is mentioned.

"Excuse me, that's none of your business," she said fiercely, obviously indicating that she didn't appreciate my intrusion into her private affairs.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ventalli, but you have no right to inquire; it's a personal problem of mine, and I don't like you bringing it up," she grimaces, attempting to maintain a cool demeanor.

"I appreciate you and your family's assistance, but please don't make me speak of something I don't want to discuss, especially to someone who I just met," she adds.

I was enraged by her shift in attitude; no one had dared to speak to me in that manner before, yet she did.

"Watch your tone; I don't appreciate people disrespecting me. ....Next time, consider before you speak," I warned her, as her terrified expression began to reemerge, as it had previously, in response to my raged tone.

Squeezing my fists even tightly, I opted to place my rage aside for the time being since I can obtain all of the answers I want without even asking her. I'll have to get Alex to check into this right away, I reasoned while I turned to face her.

I fixed my attention on her rather attentively, and I could see she wanted to say something else, based on her anxious demeanor, but was hesitant.

"Do you want to say something?" I asked, moving away from her so that I wouldn't be distracted in any sense. I waited there for her to utter something, but she didn't until I raised my voice slightly higher and said, "Speak now," in a threatening manner, which appeared to jolt her out of her reverie.

"I-I want to go home. I've already spent three and a half days here; my family is probably concerned by now," she blurts out at once, as I turn my face back at her at the same time, maintaining my heated gaze.

"I'm going to leave tonight." My blood came to boil as she continued, "I have notified your mother and sister." How could she have made the decision to leave so fast? I'd best figure out a way to keep her, if not forever, then at least for a while.

"How about tomorrow?" says the speaker. I propose. "Stay tonight, and I'll make sure you return home safely tomorrow," I offer, leaving my anger and frustration away again for the time being.

"Then it's decided, you'll depart tomorrow evening," I stated without giving her an opportunity to respond. Okay?" I reassured her by lifting my brows towards her, which she confirmed by nodding her head without glancing at me, which irritated me even more.

I intended to leave right away before I managed to lose my temper and scared the hell out of her, since I'd already terrified her enough by displaying my rage. Something has to be done, and I have to make sure she's stopped, fuck.

Home? I'm not going to let her go this time, never again. After what transpired last time, I'm not going to repeat the same mistake. None of it is going to happen. She is unable to go. I'm not going to allow her. I'll have to make sure now, somehow.

Early the next morning I walked directly into my penthouse suit after a hour ride back to the city to meet with Omar and Brandon. I summoned them here again to discuss a new trade deal with one of our Japanese allies.

After the conversation was well over, Omar queried over my absence from the party the night before, so Brandon recounted everything to him as he was taken aback by the news.

Omar continued by stating aggressively, his attention locked on me, "She's someone's wife, dammit!" He made it clear that he wasn't pleased with my encounter with her.

"She was," I say, swirling my scotch glass in my hand and taking a drink from it.

"What? What exactly do you mean? Wait a minute-," he began, but I interrupted him immediately.

"Meaning that he left her" I explain. As Omar is left speechless. He looks worried as he looks at me quizzically again.

"What are your intentions towards her? ...I mean like do you love her?" As I took another sip of my scotch, he questioned with furrowed eyebrows. I feel the burn as I swallow it down my throat. At his question, I laughed out loud.

"Love? Do you seriously think I'm in love? Omar are you out of your mind? You seriously think I love her? I thought you know better of me" I say laughing out loud again as he turns to Brandon.

"If it's not love, then what the fuck is it Dan?" he asked furiously, rising from his seat but remaining still.

"I don't know. Obsession or possession maybe, not sure" I say looking up at him. What is his damn problem? Why does he care about what I felt for her? It's none of his business, I thought to myself staring at him.

"Does that mean you want her just by your side?" Brandon asks this time poaching his hand in his pockets.

Taking a long breath in and out I answer him saying "Yes, I want her. I want her to be by my side twenty four seven."

"What if she doesn't want to be with you?, then?" Brandon asked again. Why are they asking such absurd questions, as if they don't want her to be with me?

"If she doesn't want to be with me, then don't worry. I got my ways" I say confidently with a big smirk on my face, grabbing a piece of the fine Italian Venchi chocolate from the table to bring a little sweetness into my mouth.

"Does that imply...that you're interested in marrying her?" Omar asks. Marry? Hmm, I've never wanted to get married, so there's no use in even considering it because I'm not interested. I'm not a believer in any of those religious doctrines anyways. That's all I care about and desire, I believe, as long as she's beside me.

"No! I'm not interested in marrying her. Now, before you say anything, I did intend to marry her before, but that has now altered. I'd rather choose to have her at my side, without that. For her to be together with me, I don't need a contract. I stated, taking another small sip from my drink, "You guys know I don't believe in that bullshit."

"You mean to say that you want her as your whore? Or just a live in fuck buddy?" Embarked Omar as I looked towards him as anger seethed through my body as he used that degrading word for her. I immediately threw my glass of scotch down on the marble floor of my penthouse crashing it into a million pieces.

"What the fuck did you just call her?" I asked, grabbing him by his collar.

"You heard me right Daniel. I called her exactly what you described her as and how you plan to show her to the world" he stated again with a smirk.

"You fucking asshole," I roared as I punched him in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. "Say it again, I dare you," I say as Brandon grabs my arm and pulls me back, but I shove him aside.

"Why are you mad huh? I'm just stating the obvious" he says getting back up. I guess that punch wasn't enough. He definitely needs some more to shut his damn mouth up now I thought.

"Just because she was fucking married and used by that other bastard you think you can just take her away and do the same, huh? You're no better than him Daniel" He asks, pointing at me as I stop in my tracks listening to what he is saying. I never meant that though, not for her especially.

"Never not under my wrath. I'll never let that happen Daniel. Never. Do you fucking understand!" he continues on to say.

"If you fucking want her, then you marry her and that too respectfully" he says emphasizing on each main word.

"Or I swear to god Dan I won't even let you go near her. I'll make sure to swipe her off the face of earth so that she never comes across you. I'll make you suffer worse than you have for the past two years and trust me it won't be so great this time too" He says in a threatening tone.

"Are you threatening me?" I asked, facing him standing up against each other, only being an inch apart in between.

"Think whatever you want buddy, but I suggest that you choose wisely" he says with gritted teeth. As Brandon comes in between again trying to stop our fight.

"Calm down guys, why are you both fighting?" He asks us to which Omar replied "I'm not fighting with him Brandon, I'm just trying to advise him. He might not understand why I'm against his idea now but I'm damn sure he will understand later on. It's for his own benefit."

"I'm not speaking to you as your dog or your slave right now but as your damn brother..." he says holding onto my left shoulder.

"Learn to fucking respect her, don't just look at her as an object you'r obsessed with. She's a freaking human being. ...Remember you have a sister of your own, you wouldn't want to see Luis doing the same to Sophia, would you?" He asks me, squeezing onto my shoulder even more. Not that piece of shit. figlio di puttana! (Motherfucker!)

I'd rather kill myself than hear someone say some shit or hurt Soph let alone I'll murder that bastard with my own bare hands before he utters a word out of his mouth. This shithead really had to mention him I thought.

"Hence why I'm saying, This is your only chance so don't fuck it up. Marry her" he concluded, slapping my shoulders.

Letting my shoulder go as He completes his damn speech, walking towards the bar grabbing a bottle of whiskey, pouring himself a good amount in a cup. He immediately chugs that down in just a few sips as I stare down at him processing what he said.

I can't even concentrate right now as I just want to point my gun in between his eyes right now and rip his brain out. I hate people defying me. That one punch was just not enough for me. I need to let my anger out on something I know for sure.