Chapter 2 - The Awakening
The storm completely passed by mid-morning, leaving the estate bathed in bright, cold sunlight.
Nina had not moved from the chair beside Alexander’s bed.
She watched the digital monitor with bated breath as the numbers slowly began to change.
His core temperature had dropped two full degrees in the last four hours.
The dangerous, shallow rattle in his chest had smoothed out into a deep, steady rhythm.
By refusing to administer Dr. Keller’s poison, she had effectively saved his life.
Suddenly, Alexander’s hand twitched against the dark charcoal blanket.
Nina leaned forward, her pulse racing as a low groan escaped his dry lips.
His dark, thick eyelashes fluttered for a moment before his eyes slowly opened.
They were a piercing, terrifying shade of ice blue, and they immediately locked onto her face.
“Water,” he rasped, his voice sounding like gravel crushed under a heavy tire.
Nina quickly poured a glass of fresh water and gently lifted his head to help him drink.
He swallowed greedily, his throat working hard before he fell back against the soft pillows.
“You are awake,” Nina whispered, unable to keep the overwhelming relief out of her voice.
Alexander stared at her, his mind clearly fighting through the thick fog of the lingering fever.
“I heard you,” he said softly, the words freezing the blood in Nina’s veins.
“You heard what, sir?” she asked, desperately trying to maintain her professional composure.
“I heard you say that you loved me in the dark,” Alexander replied, his gaze refusing to let hers go.
Nina felt a hot blush flood her cheeks, completely humiliated by her exposed confession.
“I thought you were dying,” she stammered, looking down at her hands.
“I was,” Alexander stated, his sharp intellect already piecing the puzzle together.
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“Someone is poisoning you, Mr. Romano,” Nina confessed, deciding that absolute honesty was their only chance.
Alexander’s eyes turned instantly cold, transforming back into the ruthless mafia king the city feared.
