Chapter 28: A Twist of Fate

CHASE

Kiana had just left the room when Joanna followed suit. Something was off about Kiana. She didn’t seem herself. Could it be something she ate at dinner?

I felt a strong pull to check on her, especially with Joanna tailing her. But Gregor, the man I’d been chatting with about his airline business, held me back. Boy, could that man talk.

I was worried about Kiana. My concern only grew when neither she nor Joanna came back after a few minutes.

“Give me a second,” I said, cutting Gregor off before he could launch into another long-winded story about his business.

Suddenly, I heard yelling from the bathroom. It was a voice I knew all too well. Without a second thought, I rushed in. Kiana was on the floor, her dress hiked up, revealing her thigh, her head lolling to one side. She was pale, sweaty, and her breathing was deathly shallow.

I pushed Joanna out of the way and knelt beside Kiana. Holding her head in my hands, I turned her to face me. “Kiana, what’s wrong?” I asked, my heart pounding. She tried to speak, but she was too weak.

“What did you do?” I snapped at Joanna.

She flinched at my harsh tone. “She was doing drugs! I saw her about to inject herself!” she yelled, pointing at Kiana.

I looked at Kiana, shocked. She wouldn’t!

Kiana tried to speak again. “Insulin,” she whispered, pointing weakly to a broken syringe on the floor.

Suddenly, the whole scene snapped into focus.

“You idiot!” I shouted at Joanna, who recoiled in fear.

I scooped Kiana up and dashed out of the restaurant. I told the driver to take us to the hospital quickly. I held her close, unwilling to let her go.

She was becoming weaker. Her eyes were starting to close. I wasn’t foolish enough to think that wasn’t a bad sign.

“Stay with me, Kiana. Stay awake,” I said, gently tapping her cheek. Fear was driving my adrenaline. She was struggling. Her breathing was getting shallower, and her skin felt dangerously hot.

As soon as we arrived, I hurried Kiana inside. Nurses rushed over, assessed her condition, and immediately guided me to a bed, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. “What exactly happened?” one of them asked.

“She mentioned insulin,” I said, my voice shaky. “Is she going to be okay?” I asked, my voice on the verge of breaking.

“She’ll be fine. You got her here in time. Please wait outside,” the nurse said, leading me toward the door. I didn’t want to leave her, but I knew I’d be in the way. I slumped into a chair in the waiting room. My heart raced, my body trembled, and I felt a chill.

I had never before felt so ~afraid~.

***

I don’t know how much time had passed, but I called Lucas and told him I wouldn’t be coming in to work. He said he’d cover for me. Once I was allowed into her room, I sat by Kiana’s bed and didn’t leave her side. She was sleeping, hooked up to an IV.

I might have tried to bribe the staff to tell me ~something~. But after I told them I was her boyfriend, they filled me in on the basics of her condition.

The doctors said she had severe monogenic diabetes, which required her to take insulin once a week. If she didn’t, she could go into DKA—diabetic ketoacidosis—which could be deadly.

If I had gotten her to the hospital any later, she could have gone into a coma, or worse. She might not have survived.

That thought terrified me.

~There has to be something I can do to help.~ Anything. ~I can’t go through this again, and she doesn’t deserve to go through this either. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.~

KIANA

I woke up to the sound of beeping, a slight sting in my hand, and the smell of bleach mixed with a strong, spicy scent. I opened my eyes, immediately squinting from the bright daylight beaming in through the window.

~Am I in a hospital?~ The events at the restaurant came rushing back.

~That’s right. Chase was there. Does that mean I’m safe?~

I glanced to my side and spotted Chase in a chair. His head was buried in his hands, and three empty coffee cups were scattered on the table next to him. ~How long has he been sitting there?~

“Ch…Chase,” I croaked, my voice scratchy and weak. His head jerked up instantly. He was still in yesterday’s clothes, and his eyes were swollen. Had he even slept?

“I’ll get the nurse,” he said, springing from the chair and darting out of the room.

A few moments later, a nurse came in and gave me a once-over. “That was a close shave, Miss Ailana,” she said with a stern look.

“I usually don’t forget; I apologize,” I responded quietly, rubbing my forehead in embarrassment.

“The doctor gave the green light for you to leave once you woke up. Your vitals have been stable since a few hours after we administered your insulin. But you will need to rest for the next twenty-four hours,” she instructed, removing my IV before exiting the room.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Chase asked, his eyes filled with concern.

“I didn’t think it was necessary. I can handle it myself. It’s just a shot once a week.” I tried to downplay it, but he wasn’t buying it.

“I know; the doctor filled me in.”

“I should head home.” I started to slide off the bed.

“No. You should stay another day. I can arrange it,” he said, moving toward me and holding my waist to stop me from getting up. “You didn’t see what I saw last night.”

“I don’t want to stay, Chase. I’d rather rest at home. And you heard the nurse; the doctor gave me the go-ahead,” I said, pointing toward the door the nurse had just left through.

“Fine. But you’re coming home with me,” he declared firmly.

“I have my own place, Chase. And Mia will be there.”

“I’m not debating this with you. You either come with me, or you stay here.” He left no room for negotiation.

I sighed in resignation.

“Okay. Just help me get out of here.” I extended my arm for him to assist me.

He came over, and instead of supporting me, he scooped me up in his arms.

“I can walk, you know,” I said, lightly tapping his chest with my finger.

“I know,” he replied before carrying me out of the hospital. A mischievous grin erased some of the worry in his face.

Once we returned to the penthouse, I changed into a loose sweatshirt and shorts. Although my body was still recuperating, I already felt like my old self again.

Chase made me comfortable in his room. He said he was working from home, and his office was nearer to his room than mine.

I didn’t argue, and I couldn’t complain—something about being surrounded by his things and the scent of him was better than any guest room, regardless of how lavish it was.

After spending several hours engrossed in my new favorite crime drama, he walked in.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Better, thank you again. You literally saved my life,” I said with a smile.

“You don’t need to thank me. Anyone else would have done the same,” he responded nonchalantly.

“I don’t think so. Joanna thought I was on drugs.” I laughed, finding some humor out of the situation.

“Yeah, don’t remind me,” he grumbled.

“Come,” I said, patting the empty side of the bed.

He looked at me, confused.

“Join me for a bit. You work too hard, and everyone needs a break, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

“Besides, it’s not like we haven’t shared a bed before,” I added with a playful smirk.

“I have a lot of—” he started, but I cut him off.

“Come on, it’s ~one~ episode. You need to learn to unwind,” I teased.

“You sound like my dad,” he mumbled before holding up one finger at me. “Just one.”

He climbed into bed next to me, and we continued watching the gripping crime drama. He kept guessing the plot twists, which was slightly irritating, but it was nice to see him finally taking a break.

His smile captivated me as he immersed himself in the show. Even the lightest accidental brush of his fingers against mine sent a shiver down my spine. The nearer he unconsciously moved, the faster my heart pounded.

I don’t know when it happened, but I had a sudden realization…

~I was falling for Chase Winters.~

COOPER

I made my way to the private VIP room at the back of the restaurant. It was secluded, ~just the way he preferred it.~

As I stepped into the room, I found ~him~ there, leisurely puffing on a cigar and savoring his single malt scotch.

“Mr. Monroe, thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”

“After what you told me over the phone, how could I refuse?

“So, start talking, boy,” he commanded, taking a drag from his cigar.

He was always one for getting straight to the point. That had been his style since he hired me nearly a year ago.

“I wanted to make sure before I brought it up, but now I’m certain—” I started.

“Out with it,” he snapped, his patience wearing thin.

I won’t lie, he was intimidating. This man was shrewd and would stop at nothing—absolutely ~nothing~—to get what he desired.

He was as ruthless as they come, but I found that appealing. He claimed what he wanted, and if anyone dared to obstruct him, they were removed.

~He was the type of man I aspired to be.~

“Your daughter seems to be seeing someone,” I revealed.

“Interesting. Continue,” he responded nonchalantly, a faint glimmer of interest in his eyes.

“Here’s the kicker. Her boyfriend is the billionaire ~Chase Winters~.”

His eyes narrowed at me, a threatening glint in his gaze, and his lips curled into a sinister smirk. It was enough to make me take a small step back.

“Excellent, I can leverage this. She’ll be back in my arms before you can say ‘kumbaya.’ Keep an eye on them. I want every detail about my daughter and this ~Chase~.”

“I’ll get it, sir,” I assured him.

Helping Kenzo get his daughter back would not only give me his long-overdue recognition but his blessing in marriage. I was going to make my ~real~ father proud.

“Rose Monroe—or what is it she’s being called now? ~Kiana Ailana~. She’s the one who will carry on my legacy. She will be my heir. No one else. And she will accept it willingly, even if I have to harm those she holds dear.”

I held my tongue. Once Rose and I were married and I’d gained his trust, I’d tell him the truth. Then he’d cast Rose aside, and I’d finally take my rightful place at Kenzo’s side…as his son.