Chapter 2 - The Mafia Boss Refused to Leave My Hospital Bed—Then His Children Asked Him the Question He Couldn't AnswerI woke to the smell of antiseptic.
My shoulder burned.
My ribs felt crushed.
For several seconds, I couldn't remember where I was.
Then I heard a child's voice.
“Is she awake?”
My eyes opened.
Gia was sitting beside my hospital bed.
Nico stood behind her.
Dominic was near the window.
He turned immediately.
His eyes met mine.
“You're awake.”
My throat was dry.
“How long?”
“Eight hours.”
I tried to move.
Pain shot through my shoulder.
Dominic stepped forward.
“Don't.”
“I need to sit up.”
“You were shot.”
“I noticed.”
For the first time, I saw the faintest trace of humor cross his face.
“You're difficult.”
“So I've been told.”
Gia leaned closer.
“Does it hurt?”
“Yes.”
“I'm sorry.”
I smiled.
“Not your fault.”
She looked at her father.
“It was supposed to hit me.”
Dominic's expression darkened.
“Don't say that.”
“But it was.”
He crouched beside her.
“Never say that again.”
“But—”
“Gia.”
His voice was gentle.
But final.
She lowered her head.
I watched them.
There was something strange about Dominic.
The newspapers had called him ruthless.
People called him dangerous.
But with his children, he seemed almost afraid.
Not afraid of them.
Afraid of losing them.
A nurse entered.
“Mr. Valentine?”
Dominic stood.
“Yes?”
“Her surgery went well.”
I blinked.
“Surgery?”
“You had a bullet fragment lodged near the shoulder joint.”
“I didn't know.”
“You were unconscious.”
The nurse checked my chart.
“You were lucky.”
Dominic said quietly,
“She was brave.”
The nurse smiled.
“She was reckless.”
“Also true.”
I glared at him.
He almost smiled.
Then the nurse left.
I looked at him.
“You don't need to stay.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you still here?”
He looked toward the twins.
“Because they won't leave.”
Gia immediately shook her head.
“I want Miss Lily.”
Nico nodded.
“Me too.”
I smiled.
“Then you can stay.”
Dominic sat down.
Silence settled.
After a while, he asked:
“Why were you at the hospital earlier?”
I stiffened.
“How do you know?”
“Your manager told me.”
Of course.
He'd investigated me.
“Family.”
“Your mother?”
“Yes.”
“Cancer?”
I looked at him.
“You really did investigate me.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because someone shot you while trying to kill my children.”
His voice became colder.
“I need to know who you are.”
“I work three jobs.”
“I know.”
“My mother has cancer.”
“I know.”
“My brother needs surgery.”
“I know.”
I stared at him.
“You know everything.”
“No.”
He leaned forward.
“I don't know why a woman with no money, no security, and no connection to me would throw herself in front of two bullets.”
I looked at Gia.
Then Nico.
“Because they're children.”
He didn't answer.
Later that evening, Gia fell asleep in a chair.
Nico curled against his father's side.
Dominic watched them.
I asked quietly,
“Does this happen often?”
“What?”
“People trying to hurt you through them?”
His jaw tightened.
“Sometimes.”
“That's not normal.”
“No.”
“Then why bring them to a public diner?”
“I didn't expect an attack.”
“You should have.”
“I know.”
I looked at him.
“You blame yourself.”
He didn't answer.
But his silence was enough.
At midnight, Dominic stood.
“I'll arrange security for you.”
“No.”
“You need it.”
“I don't need your men following me.”
“You took a bullet because of me.”
“Because of your children.”
“Same thing.”
“No.”
I looked at him.
“They're innocent.”
His expression softened.
“They're everything.”
I understood.
Then Nico woke.
He looked at his father.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Is Miss Lily going to die?”
Dominic froze.
I held out my good hand.
“No.”
Nico came closer.
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
He nodded.
Then he asked the question that changed everything.
“Daddy, why does that man hate us?”
Dominic's face went still.
“What man?”
“The one from the picture.”
My heart skipped.
“What picture?”
Nico pointed toward Dominic's phone.
Dominic grabbed it.
His face drained of color.
I saw the screen.
A photograph.
A man standing beside Dominic's father.
And behind them—
my father.
Detective Thomas Chen.
Dominic looked at me.
I looked at him.
Neither of us spoke.
Then he whispered,
“Where did you see this?”
Nico pointed toward the hallway.
“Uncle Victor showed me.”
Dominic's eyes became ice.
“Victor?”
May you like
His brother.
And suddenly, my father's death twelve years ago didn't look like a robbery anymore.
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