I tried to adjust and hissed in pain. Cezar was instantly hovering, asking too many questions too fast.
“Cezar, I’m just sore. Relax…” I breathed with a smile. “But get me some Chinese food. Please. I want egg rolls. Like… now.”
He didn’t move at first.
“Now, Cezar. I want food.”
His eyes lit up, that obedient tension melting into something eager. He left reluctantly, still looking back.
The second he was gone, I exhaled.
“Dorin—” I started, but he cut me off before I could even finish forming the thought.
“I know I should have texted him, but I called him. If I didn’t, he would’ve lost his shit. The man’s a menace, Lina. But he cares about you.”
I acknowledged Dorin’s words, aware of Cezar’s feelings. “Yeah, I know he does, but—”
“Lina.” Dorin’s voice sharpened, that wise-old-man tone he used only when he thought I needed some tough love. “I don’t know what you’re planning. I don’t know how you think this ends. But I do know how you feel about Cezar. And if you don’t see it through—if you’re not choosing him—then you need to let him go. No loyalties or debts. Just truth. Neither of you deserves to be torn apart by the other. You need to decide.”
Had I not been so damn tired, I’d have launched myself at him purely on principle for interrupting me. He was right. What the hell was I going to do? What did I even want?
I was torn between everything I had to become to get where I was and everything my heart had ever wanted. Why couldn’t I have both—my revenge and love? That constant torment eversince Cezar came around felt like it was going to be the death of me.
What would Cezar think of the real me?
The end was coming. I was going to have to make a choice. I didn’t want to give up what I had worked my whole life for. I didn’t want to let Viktor win. I wanted my family’s clan back, and I wanted Cezar.
The door swung open, and he walked in carrying the containers from my favorite place. He remembered the tiniest details. Details I never said out loud. He saw more than he should. Sometimes too much, obsessed.
Dorin glanced at me before he left. “I’ll give you two some privacy. Call if you need anything. The men will stay outside.”
Cezar moved the tray table, arranging the food with ridiculous precision. He held up a fork loaded with chicken and leaned in. My body jerked back on instinct, but the pillow stopped me from going any further.
“Come on, Lina, just let me help you like you’ve helped me,” he urged, his eyes soft, and his smile tender. I wanted him to help. So why was every part of me recoiling?
I was scared of this… what we had… what I could lose…again.
We stayed quiet with the TV humming in the background. I knew that look on his face—the one he got when he wanted to lecture me but couldn’t figure out how to start. And he had every right. He warned me. I was glad he wasn’t there. Who knew what would have happened to him if Viktor even suspected…
“I have to pee.” I needed to break the tension with something.
He laughed under his breath and moved the tray aside, helping me up gently, stationed protectively at my side. Then he lifted the paper gown for me with no hesitation. Months ago, this would’ve mortified me. Now it felt natural. After everythingwe’d done together—every sinful inch we’d learned—I was comfortable.
Back by the bed, I paused instead of lying down again immediately. My arm ached beneath the bandages, stiff from sleeping in the same position for hours. I missed him.
“Hey, Zar, can you stop for a second?” I asked while shuffling closer to the chair.
Cezar froze, hands suspended mid-movement, brows pulling tight.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No. You’ve never hurt me.” I smiled.
Relief crossed his face quickly.
The room around us was large, expensive, and indulgent. One of the perks of building an empire powerful enough that even hospital recovery looked luxurious.
“Come here,” I said softly, pointing at the floor.
