RUTHLESS DEVOTION: THE EMPIRE BETWEEN US

BITTER TRUTHS

The heavy doors to Amilah's private suite finally clicked open. Dominic stepped out into the quiet, dimly lit hallway, his mind already churning. He had one goal, to get this notoriously stubborn Vance family out of the hospital so he could sneak Amilah down to the OB-GYN before sunrise.

Lowin pocketed his phone the second he saw his cousin. He stood up, his jaw tight, eyes searching Dominic's face for any sign of bad news.

"Don't worry," Dominic said, raising a hand to cut off the barrage of questions. "She's stable. She's fine."

Lowin exhaled a breath he felt like he'd been holding for hours. He moved to brush past Dominic to get into the room, but Dominic placed a firm hand right against Lowin's chest, stopping him dead in his tracks.

"Actually, I think it's time you all go home," Dominic stated, his tone shifting into his strict chief-of-medicine voice. "She needs sleep. I promise you, she is in the best hands."

Annah stepped forward, her eyes puffy. "I'm staying with her tonight. I'm not leaving her."

"Dom, I'm not going anywhere either," Lowin countered, his voice dropping into a dangerous, quiet register. He looked at his family, his expression turning grim. "Just so you all know... things are about to get messy. An arrest warrant is being issued for me. Apparently, Justin killed Jade Houston tonight and left a nice little trail of breadcrumbs leading straight to my door."

"What?!" Daniella gasped, her face draining of color. She instinctively turned to her husband, her eyes wide with panic. "Jared, what do we do now?"

Dominic didn't even blink. "There's nothing to worry about on that front. We've already briefed the lead detectives. They know Justin is out there playing games."

Lowin checked his watch. The hands were creeping toward the early hours of the morning. "It's four a.m., Dom. Which means I have exactly two hours to spend with her before the sun comes up and the police show up at my office. Step aside."

"I get it, Lowin. Truly," Dominic said, refusing to budge. "But Amilah explicitly asked to be alone. If you force your way in there, she's going to get stressed, her blood pressure will spike, and that is the last thing her body needs right now. Go home. Freshen up, rest, and come back before you go down to the station."

Lowin's eyes narrowed into lethal slits. He stepped closer, towering over his cousin. "Get out of my way, Dom. I'm staying."

"Lowin Vance, look around you," Dominic snapped back, his own patience snapping. "This hospital is my kingdom. I make the rules here. Get the f**k out, or I will gladly have my security team escort you to the pavement."

A wicked, amused smirk slowly spread across Lowin's lips. It was devoid of any real warmth. "Let them try," he murmured, calmly rolling up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt.

"Quit the bullshit, Lowin!" Jared's authoritative voice boomed through the hallway, shutting them both down. He stepped between the cousins, glaring at his son. "If she asked for space, you respect her decision. Period."

Lowin swung his gaze to his father, the raw, bleeding guilt from earlier boiling over into sudden rage. "Can you all just leave already? You were supposed to be watching her at that party. You couldn't even keep her safe for one night! Tell me, how the hell did this happen?!"

Annah flinched as if she'd been struck. "I'm sorry," she whispered, a fresh wave of tears spilling over her lashes. "I should have been paying attention. Don't lecture everyone else, Lowin. It's my fault. All of it."

"It's nobody's fault, Annah," Daniella intervened softly, her heart breaking for her daughter. She clicked her tongue in annoyance at Lowin, grabbing Annah's arm. "Come on, let's go. Let your brother simmer in his own temper." She dragged Annah toward the elevators, with Jared following closely behind, throwing one last warning glance at his son.

Once they were gone, Dominic sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "What the hell is wrong with you tonight? Just listen to me for once, and you'll thank me later. Go inside, say a quick goodbye, and promise me you'll leave right after."

Lowin swallowed the lump of anger in his throat and nodded tightly. "Fine. If she really wants me gone, I'll leave."

Dominic stepped aside, cracking the door open just enough for Lowin to slip through.

Inside, the room was bathed in soft, shadows. Amilah was lying on her side, her small hand unconsciously resting on her belly, her gaze lost somewhere out the window. Lowin walked silently to her bedside. He leaned down, pressing a tender, lingering kiss to her forehead.

Amilah gasped softly, startled out of her thoughts.

"What are you thinking about, little bird?" Lowin murmured, his thumb tracing her cheekbone.

"I-I..." Amilah swallowed hard, pulling her hand away from her stomach before he could notice. "It's nothing. Could you... could you pass me the TV remote?"

Lowin frowned slightly, reaching for the plastic remote on the bedside table but keeping it out of her reach. "You need to sleep, Amy. You've had a terrifying night. I don't think reality TV is what you need right now."

Amilah puffed up her cheeks, a small, stubborn pout forming on her lips. "I can't sleep. More so because you lied to me."

A low chuckle vibrated in Lowin's chest. He couldn't help himself, he reached down and gently pinched her puffed-out cheek. "And when exactly did I lie to you, sweetheart?"

"You promised me that you'd tell me everything about yourself tonight," she reminded him, her voice tinged with a delicate sadness. "But you didn't show up. And now the night has ended tragically, I'm in a hospital bed, and I still don't even know your name."

The smile faded from Lowin's face, replaced by a heavy, complex emotion. "I want to tell you, Amy. I really do. But there are some messy things I need to take care of first. Let me handle them, and I'll come see you first thing in the morning, okay?"

Amilah stared up into his dark eyes, her heart doing a nervous flutter. She hesitated before whispering, "Do you... do you have a girlfriend?"

Lowin froze, completely caught off guard by the sudden question. A bittersweet smile touched his lips. "Yeah. I do," he murmured, his gaze dropping to her mouth. "But it seems she doesn't want me right now."

Before she could process his words, he leaned down and stole a swift, breathtaking kiss from her lips.

Amilah's face flushed crimson. "You... you are so shameless!"

"Rest now," he commanded softly, a rare, genuine warmth in his eyes as he placed the remote on the far counter. "No TV."

Amilah nodded weakly, watching his broad shoulders retreat out the door. The moment the latch clicked shut, an overwhelming, suffocating wave of loneliness crashed over her. The room felt entirely too big and too quiet.

"I think I've fallen for you," she whispered into the empty room.

Slowly, her hand drifted back to her stomach. A warm tear escaped her eye, tracking down into her hair. How am I supposed to tell him? she thought frantically. What if he leaves me?

The door opened again, and Dominic walked back in, snapping her out of her spiral. "I told you not to stress yourself, little girl."

Amilah quickly wiped her face. "Has he left the building?"

"Yeah. He's gone," Dominic said, stepping up to her IV stand. "The night shift nurse will be here any minute to do her rounds, so we need to move fast."

Amilah watched him unhook the fluids. "You're... you're not coming into the exam room with me, are you?"

Dominic paused, looking down at her. "Do you want me to?"

Amilah nervously fidgeted with the edge of her hospital blanket, looking suddenly very small. She nodded softly.

Dominic let out a hearty laugh at her uncharacteristic shyness. "Fine, fine. Don't look at me like a lost puppy." He carefully removed her IV tape, then scooped her up into his arms in one effortless motion, placing her gently into a waiting wheelchair. "Ready?"

Amilah took a deep breath, anchoring herself. "Ready."

"Good."

The corridor of the hospital wing was completely deserted as Dominic wheeled her down the hall. The closer they got to the maternity ward, the faster Amilah's heart hammered against her ribs.

Dominic pushed through a set of heavy double doors, and the glowing sign for the OB-GYN clinic came into view. Amilah closed her eyes, drawing in deep, ragged breaths to calm the trembling in her hands.

"Good morning, Sarah," Dominic called out as they entered a brightly lit, private room.

A young, elegant doctor looked up from her desk, her eyes instantly lighting up. "Dr. Sinclair! Good morning. What brings the Chief down here so early?"

"I need to hijack your schedule for a few minutes," Dominic said, rolling Amilah forward. "This is Amilah. She took a bad fall tonight and needs an urgent, off-the-record ultrasound."

Dr. Sarah's eyes drifted to Amilah, her professional smile faltering for a split second. A flash of quiet jealousy crossed her features, she had held a massive crush on the elusive, brilliant Dominic Sinclair since the day she joined the citadel. Seeing him look so fiercely protective of a woman was a bitter pill to swallow.

"Of course," Sarah said quickly, shaking it off. "My shift just started anyway. Hi, Amilah."

"Hi," Amilah replied, her voice barely a whisper.

"Let's get you up on the bed."

Before Amilah could even try to stand, Dominic bypassed the wheelchair entirely, lifting her into his arms once more and depositing her gently onto the slanted examination table.

Amilah glared up at him, her cheeks burning. "You know my legs still work, right?"

Dominic smirked, adjusting his stethoscope around his neck. "I'm sure you enjoyed the free ride. Don't complain."

Amilah rolled her eyes, muttering a string of colorful curses under her breath. Dr. Sarah watched their easy, intimate banter, her chest tightening further.

"Alright, everything is set up," Sarah said, her voice a bit clipped. She looked at Dominic. "You can wait outside, Dr. Sinclair."

"No!" Amilah blurted out, her hand flying out to catch Dominic's coat. "No... please. He can stay."

Amilah didn't know why, but in this terrifying moment, surrounded by machines and staring down a reality she wasn't prepared for, she needed someone she trusted. She needed a lifeline.

Dominic noticed the subtle tremor in her fingers. His teasing demeanor instantly vanished. He stepped closer to the bedside, reaching out and enveloping her small hand in his steady, warm grip. "It's okay," he murmured, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I'm right here."

Sarah bit the inside of her cheek, squeezing a cold gel onto Amilah's lower abdomen. She pressed the transducer against Amilah's skin, her eyes shifting to the black-and-white monitor.

The room fell into a heavy, tense silence. Amilah held her breath, her eyes locked onto Dominic's face as he studied the screen with an expert eye. Suddenly, he squeezed her hand back, a small, reassuring smile breaking through his serious expression.

"Well, everything looks perfectly healthy," Sarah announced, though her voice sounded incredibly heavy. She forced a polite smile, looking between the two of them. "The sac is intact, and the heartbeat is strong. Congratulations to you both."

Amilah's eyes went wide. She immediately opened her mouth to protest. "Wait, no, he's not-"

"Thank you, Dr. Sarah. We appreciate it," Dominic cut in smoothly, a massive, mischievous grin stretching across his face.

"He is not-" Amilah tried again, but Dominic was already leaning over, wrapping his arms around her waist and hoisting her back into the wheelchair before she could finish her sentence.

"Alright, little girl, time to go back to your room before we get caught," he teased, completely ignoring her furious glare. He began pushing the wheelchair down the hall. "Or would you prefer I carry you all the way back? Pushing this thing is getting tiring."

"I will walk, Dr. Sinclair!" Amilah huffed, crossing her arms.

Dominic let out a rich, echoing laugh. "Yeah, right. Your big guy would literally murder me if he found out I let you walk a single step. Isn't that right, cousin-in-law?"

Amilah froze, her brain short-circuiting. "Cousin-in-law? Since when am I your cousin-in-law?!"

"Well... you will be soon enough," Dominic chuckled, tapping her nose.

Amilah huffed, attempting to slide out of the chair, but Dominic firmly planted a hand on her shoulder, pushing her back down. "You are always so stubborn."

"And you are completely shameless."

"Guilty as charged," he laughed, maneuvering her back into Room 402. He brought her to a stop by the bed. "Alright, let's get you under the covers."

"You can leave now," Amilah snapped playfully, swatting his hands away. "Your job is done. Thank you."

"I have to physically put you back on the bed, Amilah."

Amilah raised an eyebrow, pointing toward the en-suite bathroom. "I need to use the restroom. Or are you planning on following me in there too, Doctor?"

Dominic smirked, leaning against the doorframe. "Hey, you said it yourself , I'm completely shameless."

"Just leave!" Amilah laughed, pushing his shoulder. "I promise I'll be fine."

Dominic's expression softened, becoming serious for a split second. "Please take care of yourself, little girl. I really don't want to die a premature death."

Amilah scoffed. "As if anyone could kill you."

Dominic looked at her, a wave of pity washing over him. He realized she had absolutely no idea what kind of dark, terrifying devil Lowin Vance truly was, or the lengths he would go to pull the world apart for her sake.

"Make sure you get some real rest," Dominic instructed, stepping out into the hall. "I'll be back at seven a.m. to check your vitals and look at your stitches."

"Yes, Doc. Go, go," Amilah shooed him away.

Once the door closed, the playful atmosphere evaporated. Amilah wasn't actually going to use the bathroom. The moment she was sure Dominic was gone, she maneuvered the wheelchair over to the far counter and grabbed the forbidden TV remote.

A sharp, biting cramp flared in her hip bone as she stood up, a brutal reminder of her fall down the marble stairs. She hissed through her teeth, bearing the agonizing pain as she limped her way back to the bed. She crawled under the heavy white sheets, completely exhausted, and clicked the television on.

For an hour, she mindlessly flipped through a reality TV show, using the meaningless drama to drown out the terrifying thought of the baby growing inside her. Just as she was about to turn it off and try to sleep, the screen suddenly flashed red.

The colorful show was abruptly cut off by a piercing siren. A grim-faced news anchor appeared on the screen, a massive banner scrolling across the bottom.

BREAKING NEWS

Amilah frowned, turning up the volume.

"We are bringing you tragic news live from the city center," the reporter announced, her voice grave. "Early this morning, authorities confirmed the brutal murder of Jade Houston, the prominent CEO and owner of Houston Corporations. His body was discovered dumped near the Vance Empire underground parking structure. According to exclusive CCTV footage just released by the police, Houston was last seen at exactly 9:00 PM last night leaving the Crescent Hotel... in the company of Lowin Vance."

Amilah's breath caught in her throat.

The screen split, and a grainy security video began to play. It showed a tall, imposing man in a pristine tailored suit walking out of a hotel lobby. Below it, a massive, glaring headline read: ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR LOWIN VANCE, CEO OF VANCE EMPIRE. TO BE IN CUSTODY BY 8:00 AM.

The remote slipped from Amilah's paralyzed fingers, clattering loudly against the linoleum floor. Her eyes stared at the screen in horror.

The man in the CCTV footage... the sharp jawline, the effortless, commanding stride, the broad shoulders.

It was him. Her stranger. Her protector.

"No..." Amilah whispered, the air leaving her lungs in a painful gasp. "My... my psycho... is Lowin Vance? No, it can't be. He... he murdered someone?"

Suddenly, his parting words from just an hour ago echoed violently in her mind: 'There are some messy things I need to take care of.'

Is that why he was late to the party? Is that what he meant by 'messy business'?

Her mind began to spiral in a thousand terrifying directions, the walls of the hospital room spinning around her.

"They fooled me," she choked out, a hot, agonizing sob ripping from her chest. She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking violently. "They all deceived me."

She remembered how she had practically begged him to tell her who he was, and how he had looked at her with those dark, haunted eyes, telling her that if she knew the truth, she would run away from him.

The realization fractured her chest with every breath she drew. The man she was secretly, helplessly falling for was the dangerous, untouchable Lowin Vance. The man who already had a beautiful, high-society girlfriend. The man because of whom she had almost lost her life tonight.

"They were right," Amilah wept, her voice breaking into a ragged whisper in the empty room. "Those women at the party... they were right. I'm a home-wrecker. I ruined another woman's relationship just to help a stranger... and now I'm carrying his child."

Amilah cried until her throat was raw. The iron-clad determination she had felt earlier completely shattered. She had already signed the fashion contract. She had wanted to destroy Victoria Jackson for pushing her, but now, it felt like she was the one in the wrong. She was the intruder.

The puzzle pieces fell into place with cruel precision. The woman at the boutique, the vicious insults from the socialites, it wasn't a misunderstanding. They all thought she was sleeping her way to the top with the CEO.

And Lowin had let her believe a lie.

Worse, her best friend Annah knew everything. She had sat by her bedside, watching her guess, and never said a single word. Even his mother, Daniella... Amilah had been so blinded by her own confusion that she hadn't even noticed the striking resemblance between Daniella and Annah.

"I'm such a fool," Amilah whispered, her voice completely hollow.

She cried until her tear ducts ran dry, until her chest felt entirely numb. She lay flat on her back, staring blankly up at the white ceiling tiles, her heart turning to stone.

---

Meanwhile, across the city, the elite Williams Mansion was in a state of unmitigated chaos.

Rose Williams had just been dropped off at the front gates, howling in agony with a completely shattered right leg. Arthur Williams was pacing the grand living room, his face red, his blood pressure soaring to dangerous heights.

"What the hell happened to you?!" Arthur roared, staring at his sobbing daughter as she clutched her limping leg. "I thought you went to a high-society gala, not a war zone!"

Rose sobbed uncontrollably, trying to rest her head on her father's shoulder, but he pushed her back, demanding answers. "Lowin... Lowin Vance did this to me, Dad!" she wailed.

Arthur froze, the color completely draining from his face. The cold, ruthless warning Lowin had given him weeks ago flashed through his mind. 'Keep your daughter on a leash, Williams, or you and your entire generation will be on the streets begging for alms.'

"Oh, God..." Arthur whispered, slamming his fist against his forehead. "Rose... you've completely ruined us. You stupid, ignorant fool!"

"Dad, it hurts! I need a doctor, please!" Rose screamed, her face twisted in pain.

"You want a doctor?!" Arthur bellowed, his voice shaking the crystal chandelier above them. "What I want to know right now is what the f**k you did to make a man like Lowin Vance break your damn leg!"

"I didn't do anything!" Rose lied through her teeth, her voice trembling. "Debrin Salvatore just grabbed me right out of the ballroom! His men dragged me to some abandoned library in the Vance estate, and Debrin... he did it himself! He broke my leg, Dad!"

Arthur couldn't breathe. A cold, terrified sweat broke out across his forehead. "You crossed the Salvatores too? Are you insane?! We are completely ruined because of your utter stupidity! I explicitly told you not to do anything foolish, and look at you now!" He turned toward the hallway, his chest heaving. "Martin! Get in here!"

The family butler rushed into the room, his face pale as he held an iPad. "Yes, sir?"

"Call the family doctor right now! Get him here immediately!"

"Sir..." Martin swallowed hard, his hands trembling as he lifted the tablet. "I think you need to see this first."

"What is it now?!" Arthur snapped, snatching the device away.

"Mr. Vance's PR team just sent an official, high-priority email. The Vance Empire has officially terminated all active and future partnerships with Williams security, effective immediately."

Arthur's heart skipped a beat. "What...?"

"There's more, sir," Martin whispered, sweating. "Salvatore Holdings just released a press statement stating they are no longer willing to back our upcoming merger. And... Dr. Dominic Sinclair has officially withdrawn his multi-million-dollar funding from our medical research facility, diverting the entire sum to an anonymous charity organization."

Arthur's blood boiled with a wild, uncontrollable rage. Decades of hard work, late nights, and corporate warfare, all going down the drain in a single night because of his daughter's petty jealousy.

"Dad, please, it hur-"

Rose's whining was brutally cut short by the loud, echoing crack of a heavy slap across her face. Her head snapped to the side, her cries instantly dying out in shock.

"Do you see what your ignorance has done?!" Arthur roared, his face twisted in fury as he pointed a trembling finger at her. "My entire life's work is being flushed down the toilet because you couldn't keep your pathetic hands to yourself!"

Rose clutched her burning cheek, her eyes flashing with sudden defiance. "Who cares if Lowin Vance and his little minions don't want to partner with us?! There are hundreds of other companies in this city, Dad! Someone else will take the deal!"

"I am afraid not, Miss Williams," Martin interjected grimly, looking down at his screen. "Word has already spread through the upper echelons. Everyone is pulling out of our stocks. Several of our board members are currently selling off their shares at a loss just to distance themselves from us."

Arthur stumbled back, his world collapsing. He frantically pulled out his cell phone, dialing Lowin Vance's private number, praying for a miracle.

The line rang. And rang. And went straight to voicemail.

---

Across town, inside the heavily guarded Jackson Mansion, the exact same nightmare was unfolding.

Victoria Jackson had just walked through the front doors, flanked by her frantic manager, Susan. Victoria was hyperventilating, her tears ruining her expensive makeup. Both of her hands were heavily wrapped in thick white medical bandages, covering the two gruesome bullet holes piercing clean through her palms.

Her father, Richard Jackson, rushed down the grand staircase, his eyes widening in sheer horror. "Victoria! What happened to your hands?!"

Victoria let out a loud, dramatic wail, lifting her bandaged arms into the air. "Dad! Debrin Salvatore shot me! He literally shot me!"

"What?!" Richard gasped, gripping her shoulders. "Why would a Salvatore shoot the face of the Vance fashion line? What did you do, Victoria?"

"I just pushed some low-class slut off the stairs!" Victoria screamed, her voice shrill and manic. "And that psychotic Debrin shot me for it! It's not fair, Dad! That b***h completely brainwashed them... that's the only reason Lowin doesn't want anything to do with me anymore!"

Richard's eyes narrowed. "And who exactly is this girl?"

"She runs some pathetic little boutique downtown!"

"Alright, alright, sit down," Richard ordered, trying to maintain control of his racing thoughts. "We will call our lawyers. We will sue her for everything she -"

"Uh, sir? Vicky?" Susan interrupted, her voice shaking as she stared at her laptop. "I am so sorry to interrupt, but... Lowin Vance just sent a direct email to your personal account. It's marked urgent."

Victoria immediately bolted upright, rushing over to Susan's side. "Open it! What does it say? Is he apologizing?!"

Susan swallowed hard, her eyes scanning the text. "It's... it's a legal reminder regarding the auxiliary contract you signed."

"What contract?" Richard demanded, walking over.

"Well..." Susan's voice dropped into a panicked whisper. "Vicky signed an NDA and behavioral clause stating that if she caused any public scandal or trouble for Lowin Vance before the six-month term ended, she would be forced to legally transfer all of her personal shares in Java Holdings over to him."

Richard's face turned an ugly shade of purple. He turned on his daughter, his voice booming like thunder. "What?! Are you f*****g crazy, Victoria?! Why on earth would you sign something like that?!"

"He's just bluffing, Dad!" Victoria shrieked, shaking her head in denial. "He loves me dad, he wouldn't actually-"

"I don't think he's bluffing, Vicky," Susan cut in, her face pale. "The email states that the share transfer paperwork has already been processed by his legal team. Furthermore... it says you are required to report to the Vance Empire headquarters tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM. You have to work as an entry-level employee in the fashion department for the next five months. For free. Without a single day off, and with absolutely zero executive privileges."

"As if I would ever do that!" Victoria scoffed, tossing her head back. "I'm a Jackson! I'm a supermodel! I'm not working as a slave for him!"

"If you don't show up tomorrow, Victoria," Susan read quietly, "the contract states he will seize the remainder of your father's shares as a breach of penalty."

Richard's jaw clenched so hard his teeth ground together. He glared at his daughter with pure hatred. "I don't care how or why you were stupid enough to sign that paper, Victoria... but you are going to report to that office tomorrow morning."

"Dad! I can't work for free! My hands are shot!"

"Do you have any idea what it means if Lowin Vance takes your shares?!" Richard roared, stepping into her space. "It means he becomes the Assistant CEO of my company! He will have a hand in every single financial decision I make! I am not letting that arrogant bastard into my boardroom because of your petty, jealous tantrums!"

"Dad, please-"

"Enough! Get the hell out of my sight!" Richard shouted, storming off to his study.

Victoria collapsed onto the leather sofa, letting out a sharp shriek of pain as her bandaged palms accidentally slammed against the cushions.

---

Meanwhile, cutting through the quiet morning streets, Lowin Vance sat in the back of his sleek black Porsche. A dark, satisfied smile played on his lips.

He hadn't slept a single wink since leaving the hospital. Those two hours away from her had felt like an eternity, a restless agony that clawed at his chest. But teaching those two miserable women a lesson had been worth every second.

Now, he just wanted to get back to his little bird.

He wanted to feel her warmth, to look into her bright eyes, and finally, completely lay his heart bare. He was going to tell her everything, his name, his empire, his secrets, before the police could even think about storming his office at eight a.m. He wanted her to hear the truth from his lips first.

He leaned his head back against the leather seat, his smile widening as he imagined her beautiful, stubborn face.

What the powerful, dangerous Lowin Vance didn't know... was that his little bird already knew exactly who he was. And inside Room 402, she was currently drowning in a sea of betrayal, holding a secret that would change his entire world forever.