XXII. Whispers of Betrayal

We were in the cafeteria, and Alex went to get our orders while we waited. I noticed Nadia shooting death glares at me, but I ignored them. She was always immature.

Alex returned with our food, and we started to eat. I don't know what happened, but suddenly, a piercing agony in my chest consumed me, stealing the very essence of my being. Gasping for air, I struggled to focus my blurry vision on Alex and Lara, their faces etched with fear and concern.

"Stay with us, come on! What's happening?" Alex's voice was frantic with worry.

"Do something, call for help!" Lara shouted.

Through the haze, I saw Nadia drawing near, her words an ominous whisper in the chaos around me. "I heard you had a great time with him at the beach. Enjoy heaven now, darling," she murmured, sending a chill down my spine.

"Get away from them, Nadia! What are you—" Alex tried to push Nadia and her minions away.

I tried to respond, to reassure my friends, but my voice failed me, drowned out by the unrelenting torment within. Alex and Lara attempted to shield me from Nadia's cryptic message, their voices a distant echo as darkness crept over me.

Just as I teetered on the edge of unconsciousness, a pair of strong arms enveloped me, pulling me back from the abyss. My eyelids, heavy with exhaustion, refused to open, shrouding my savior's identity in mystery. And as the void beckoned, I surrendered to its unfathomable embrace, the echoes of those last moments etched in the depths of my fading mind.

A heavy, nonstop sigh stirred me awake. I found myself in a hospital gown, and beside me, a man sat with his head down.

I smiled as I recognized him. "Hey."

Antonio looked up. "Are you okay?"

I let out a laugh as sudden realizations hit me.

"Why are you laughing? Does it hurt somewhere?" he asked, concerned.

"Don't you find it funny, too? I always end up in a hospital or a clinic, and you…" My voice trailed off, and my laughter faded. "You're always the first person I see when I wake up."

"Why? Are you sick of my face?" he joked.

"N-no, it's just…" I hesitated. "Wait, where are they?"

"Alex went downstairs to buy food—with Lara, I guess?" he replied, and I nodded.

"What happened?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"Are you allergic to peanuts? Your face is so swollen." He laughed, teasing me.

"Yeah, but I didn't order anything with peanuts—no way." My stomach sank.

"What?" Antonio frowned.

I remembered Nadia's face and her chilling words. I clenched my fists and smirked. Without thinking, I threw off the hospital blanket and tried to get out of bed, but Antonio immediately stopped me.

"Where are you going?"

"If I die, it won't be by Nadia's hands. If someone has to go, it should be her—in my hands."

Antonio turned me to face him, gently gripping my shoulders. He chuckled, tapping my forehead lightly.

"I already took care of her," he said. "The moment I sat in that chair and waited for you to wake up, I started investigating." He gestured to the chair he had been sitting in earlier.

"Why?" I asked.

He simply shrugged. "Just because."

Antonio turned his back, grabbed his keys from the table, and made his way to the door, but this time, I stopped him—just as he had stopped me.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Antonio Dawson, but I don't accept 'just because' as an answer." I grinned.

He leaned in closer, forcing me to step back until I was cornered, my smirk fading.

"Well, Ms. Kaesu Cadieux," he murmured, his voice low, "it seems this man can't breathe properly when something happens to you. So I had to settle things myself."

I frowned. "Have you been this dedicated and loyal to everyone your uncle works with?"

He didn't answer—just let out a soft chuckle before walking away, leaving me frozen, trying to process everything.

But I couldn't afford to get distracted. Nadia had been handled, but I had to settle this matter myself. This was my job. This was the situation I chose. This was my business to deal with.

You've been silent for too long, Nadia. I underestimated you. I thought you were just another obsessed girl, but it turns out your obsession might actually lead somewhere. Let's see how far you're willing to go.

I returned to bed, about to close my eyes, when a knock sounded at the door. "It's open," I called out.

Canim stepped inside.

"I'm sorry."

I could feel his sincerity, but for some reason, my heart refused to accept it.

"She's my childhood friend," he continued. "I never thought she'd go so far as to—almost kill someone—"

"Hey, I'm not dead yet. Don't give me that pity look." I forced a laugh, trying to lighten the mood. I didn't want this conversation to be about Nadia.

"Don't worry, though. I got paid a hefty amount for this. At least now, I know your money didn't go to waste. And I think it's time I start the job properly."

He looked confused, but I simply winked at him.

Another knock interrupted us. The door swung open, revealing Alex and Lara.

"Oh! Mr. Li is here?" Alex's eyebrows raised in surprise.

"We were just discussing business," I quickly clarified to avoid any misunderstandings.

"And what business would that be?" Alex asked slyly.

I shot him a glare to shut him up.

"Aren't you leaving?" Lara said coldly, her gaze locked on Canim.

He gave her a blank expression before walking out.

Right. After I deal with Nadia, I need to figure out what's going on between those two. And why I seem to be caught in the middle of it all.