We were Born to Die

Chapter 17

The ache in my body feels like a constant drumbeat, throbbing with every moment. "Help," I barely manage to whisper, my voice trembling with pain as I struggle to focus on the shadowy figure running towards me. My vision blurs, threatening to pull me into darkness once more. But then, like a lifeline thrown to a drowning sailor, a deep voice cuts through the haze. "Cara Mia, look at me." Enrico's words pierce through the fog in my mind, his green eyes filled with worry, anchoring me to reality. I cling to his voice, desperate for something solid to hold onto.

"Cara Mia, you are going to be okay." He reassures me, his words wrapping around me like a protective shield. And then, before I can protest or open my mouth, he scoops me up into his arms, my body protesting with every moment as he carries me bridal style. As he lifted my chin, I find myself staring back into his emerald eyes once again, the concern etched into every line of his face. My body feels like it's on fire, my head throbbing with each heartbeat, and my eyes heavy with pain. "I've got you, Cara Mia." Enrico murmurs, his voice a lifeline in the darkness threatening to engulf me once more. And then, everything fades away, consumed by the void.

When I finally wake up, the sunlight streaming through the curtains feels like a harsh spotlight, making me squint as I try to adjust to the brightness. And then, like a tidal wave crashing over me, reality hits. "Where's Min-Woo?" I whisper, my words feeling heavy and unfamiliar on my tongue.

"He's fine, Cara Mia," Enrico's voice, tinged with worry, reassures me, and I find myself locking eyes with him once again, his green gaze filled with concern. "How are you feeling?" he asks, helping me sit up, his touch gentle yet firm.

"A little dizzy, I guess," I reply, confusion swirling in my mind as I try to piece together what happened. Enrico and Daniella exchange a glance, their expressions mirroring my own confusion. "I'm good," I said, my voice barely a whisper, but I hoped it conveyed the reassurance I wanted to offer. "How long was I gone?" I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty. I had no concept of time, lost in the abyss of sleep and healing.

"Two days," Daniella replied softly, her words like a gentle caress. My heart skipped a beat at the realization. Two days lost to darkness, while the world outside continued to spin on its axis without me. "Don't worry," Daniella continued, "I've told your brothers you are fine. And that we had to stay a bit longer for meeting." Her words were like a lifeline.

I glanced past Daniella, and there he was Enrico, standing behind her, his presence commanding. He leaned against the window, dressed in his signature all-black attire. His black shirt hugged his muscular frame, while his trouser pants exuded an effortless elegance.

"Is Min-Woo badly hurt?" I asked, the memory of his sacrifice haunting me. He had shielded me from harm, his body absorbing the brunt of the impact as we fell. His selflessness had left me breathless, my heart overflowing with gratitude and guilt. Daniella's gaze flickered to Enrico for a fleeting moment, and something passed between them.

And then, Enrico spoke, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "He's fine now but hasn't woken up," he said, his words hitting me like a sledgehammer. The air seemed to evaporate from the room, leaving me gasping for breath, my chest constricting with each beat of my heart.

"It's my fault," I muttered to myself, the words echoing in the quiet room. It's my fault.

It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault.

With each repetition, it felt like a mantra, a grim acknowledgment of what had happened. My heart pounded in my chest, the sound reverberating in my ears as if it were drown out the chaos of my thoughts. I could feel my pulse quickening, a physical manifestation of the panic rising within me.

With a sudden rush of adrenaline, I ripped the cannula from my body, the action both reckless and liberating. Daniella tried to intervene, but I brushed her aside with a force I didn't know I possessed. She stumbled, her hand hitting the table with a sharp thud, but I paid her no mind.

Then came Enrico, rushing to my side, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. "Don't you dare," he warned, his voice low and commanding. But I refused to heed his warning, my gaze locked on his as I took a defiant step forward.

"This is all your fault," I spat, the words laced with bitterness and accusation. I could feel the anger building up inside me. "None of this would have happened if yo-" I stopped short, swallowing back the rest of my words before they could escape. But it was too late. The damage had been done, the truth hanging heavy in the air between us. "If you hadn't been so obsessed with your damn vendettas." I continued, my voice rising with each word. But Enrico's face remained impassive, his green eyes betraying nothing.

"Pathetic," I sneered, my voice dripping with disdain as I turned to leave. But before I could reach the door, a strong hand closed around my wrist, yanking me back with a force that sent a jolt of pain shooting up my arm. I gasped, the shock of the sudden movement leaving me momentarily breathless. And then, before I could react, my arm was twisted painfully behind my back, trapping me in Enrico's grasp.

As he twisted my arm behind me, I couldn't help but wince, feeling the sharp pain shoot through my body as he pulled me closer. My heart raced as our face drew nearer, our breaths mingling. Enrico's presence engulfed me, his scent intoxicating, filled with the essence of danger and power. Those green piercing eyes, like emeralds glinting in the dim light, bore into mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. His voice, deep and dark, reverberated through the room, sending a chill coursing through my veins. "You think I don't know that," he growled, his words dripping raw emotions.

I felt a surge of defiance rise within me, despite the fear that threatened to consume my every thought. "I know that it's my f*****g fault," he continued, his grip tightening before he flung me away with a callousness that cut deep.

But even as he dismissed me, his words echoed in my mind, haunting me with their truth. "They own me their lives," he spat, his gaze never faltering as he turned to face me once more, his fingers gripping my chin with a forceful grip. I couldn't help but meet his gaze, my own eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and determination. "And you do too," he declared, his words ringing in my ears like a damning verdict.

With a sudden surge of strength, I jerked away from his touch, the fire within me burning brighter than ever. "Don't ever for a second think that you own me," I retorted, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. "You're nothing but a manipulative bastard to me."

Turning on my heel, I stormed out of the room, leaving behind the suffocating atmosphere of power and control. My body ached with the residual pain of his touch, but my spirit remained unbroken, fueled by a fierce determination to break free from his grasp.

As I made my way down the corridor, my anger propelled me forward, each step a defiant declaration of independence. Ryder and Zane stood guard outside his room, their expressions grim and solemn. Zane stepped forward, a look of concern etched across his features, but I brushed past him, my gaze fixed on the door before me.

With a burst of pent-up frustration, I flung the door open, the sound reverberating through the silent corridor like a gunshot. And there he lay, my beloved Min-Woo, his once vibrant spirit now dimmed by the cruel hand of fate. Tubes and wires snaked across his frail form, a stark reminder of the fragility of life. Tears welled up in my eyes as I approached his bedside, my heart breaking anew with each labored breath he took.