CHAPTER 44: THE RIGHT HAND

–Livana–

I had to change my pads twice and had to wake up for it. The cramps were unbearable. But this time, it wasn’t the pain that woke me—it was my husband’s gentle hand rubbing slow circles on my lower abdomen.

"Hello, baby. I got a gift for you."

"Mmm," I murmured, turning toward his voice and reaching out for his face. My fingers brushed the familiar lines of his jaw.

"You haven’t eaten, my love."

"I drank some ginger tea... I’m just weak."

"Oh, baby... I’m so sorry. Do you need a doctor?"

"No. Just help me up. Did you get those panty sanitary pads I told you about?"

"Yes, I bought the one with the cooling effect—and more."

He helped me sit up, his hand briefly cupping my cheek.

More? What does that even mean—did he buy a truckload?

"I got a whole box. Different types."

"A box?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, for your supply. The store explained all the variations. So I just picked the best—and most expensive ones."

"Idiot," I muttered with a dry, nonchalant tone.

"Oh," he sounded a little hurt. "I’m sorry, baby."

He kissed my face—his scent like dust and something old, like paper left too long in the sun. I wondered absently what else he had bought.

"Do you need the bathroom now?"

"Why?"

He took my right hand, and I followed the movement—just barely seeing the shift of light and dark. He knelt in front of me and guided my hand to what felt like a polished wooden box.

"I managed to secure an ancient, real jade hairpin. I know you like them."

My fingers traced the smooth, cool surface as I lifted it from the box. The design—was it a dragon? In my mind, it had to be a dragon.

"Do you like it?" he asked softly.

"How much did it cost?"

"It doesn’t matter." He chuckled. "Let me put it in your hair."

He stood and sat beside me. I turned my back to him, and he brushed through my hair with skilled, practiced hands. He twisted it up and slid the pin in place, securing it.

"I already sanitized it," he murmured, pressing a hot kiss to my neck. "You are gorgeous, my wife."

"Thank you."

I wish I could see myself wearing it. Maybe soon.

He helped me into the bathroom and talked me through each sanitary option, letting me decide. It was the most tender thing he’d ever done for me—though, in truth, he’d always been like this. Especially during our honeymoon. He would dress me up like a doll. I never minded. If anything, it made things easier for me.

I wondered... If it were another woman, would he be this gentle? Or was it because I’m blind?

"A fluffy dress would do," I said.

He unwrapped the robe from my body with such care, then slipped the soft dress over me. It had a hood. He brought me to the sofa and placed a pillow on my lap.

"A warm soup will help," he said.

"Did you make it?"

"No, I bought it. I searched around for something good—found a spicy one that should ease your cramps."

"Mmm," I nodded.

He fed me like a child, tender and unhurried. Afterward, he massaged my lower belly with an ointment. No one had ever cared for me this way.

Well, Laura used to. But now that the company weighs on her shoulders, she has less time for me.

"Laura... Can you check on her?" I asked.

"Sure."

I heard the clink of utensils—gentle, thoughtful movements. He sat beside me, one arm wrapping around my shoulder while the other hand was busy—probably his phone. He called someone and put it on speaker.

"Hello, Kai. Where’s Laura?"

"I’m at a restaurant. I think it’s one of Laura’s. They’re having a meeting in the glass room."

"Okay. Stay with her. And Damien?"

"He’s home. Oh—and Sparrow. Or Logan, he’s at the residence, too. I think Damien’s about to get killed."

I chuckled and shook my head. Sparrow—or Logan—is my henchman. He wouldn’t make a move without my word. He can’t kill Damien. Not while Laura’s sleeping with him.

Too bad for Logan. He never made a move to truly secure Laura.

"She’ll kill him if he tries."

"Wow." Kai sounded stunned. "By the way, I also called Agent Pierce to tag along. Someone’s been following us."

"All right. Good thinking."

"And when Damien arrives, I’ll check out the tail. I’ll be MIA for a while."

"Thank you, Kai." I leaned into my husband, reaching across his waist to snuggle closer.

"Always, gorgeous."

I closed my eyes, comforted by his warmth, drifting off in his arms.

Then—

My phone rang. A sharp, jarring tone—red alert.

I jerked upright, heart pounding. I was in bed again. I reached for the phone on the bedside table and answered it quickly.

I listened intently as my Right-Hand explained the situation.

The car exploded. Laura and Damien were a few steps away from it. Laura was injured—now in the hospital.

But her final words unsettled me.

"I don’t think it ends there. Even the ambulance... the hospital... it’s not safe."

"I’ll be there," I said, and hung up.

"The jet will be ready in three hours," my husband said beside me.

I slipped out of bed, ignoring the ache and the cramps.

I needed to see Laura.

–Damien–

A nurse approached us with a needle.

I squinted at her. I didn’t think Laura needed whatever was in that syringe. We were in the emergency room, the air heavy with disinfectant and tension.

"The patient needs to rest, sir. This is a painkiller," the nurse said gently. She had a soft, almost delicate voice. She didn’t look like an assassin—but hey, these days, anyone could be one.

"She doesn’t need a painkiller," I replied, glancing at Laura, who was clearly in pain but still very much alert.

"Sir, this is necessary," the nurse insisted. She explained the type of medication, but I kept my eyes locked on her, analyzing every blink, every move. She was too calm. Too insistent.

Just then, someone unfamiliar stepped through the curtain—and that’s when things got interesting.

Without a word, the woman twisted the nurse’s wrist with practiced ease, guiding the syringe straight into the nurse’s own neck. I watched the liquid disappear into her vein.

I didn’t even flinch.

This woman wasn’t here to harm Laura. She was here to protect her.

Laura exhaled deeply, finally relaxing into the bed.

The nurse tried to fight back, but the woman silenced her with a swift strike to the throat. No yelling. No chaos. Just pure, controlled force. A second later, the nurse was out cold.

I tilted my head toward Laura. "Hey, Sophia," she mumbled.

So that’s her name.

Sophia, calm as ever, propped the nurse on a nearby chair like she was just taking a nap. Then she turned her full attention to Laura.

"Home. And Doctor Reyes, please."

Sophia examined the bandage with clinical precision. "This will leave a scar."

Laura pouted and looked at me with those eyes.

"Don’t worry, baby," I said smoothly. "I’ll find the best ointment money can buy. And if that doesn’t work, we’ll get it lasered off. Scar? What scar?"

She kept pouting. I leaned down and kissed her gently.

I heard a sharp grunt.

"Stop that, Blackwell," Sophia snapped. "Let’s go."

"I’m Damien, by the way," I said, flashing a grin.

She gave a curt nod. "I know. The Queen will be here in a few hours."

She probably meant Livana as their Queen. I know that Livy is a big shot. But I wonder about her role.

She turned back to Laura. "I know your duties as Vice-Chairman are important, but we’ll have to limit your outside activities."

"Oh, wow," Laura said dramatically, then turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eye. Her brows lifted. I knew that look. She was already thinking dirty thoughts.

Not that I minded. The idea of being locked up in the mansion with her had its perks.

"So, I guess it’ll be just the two of us~~" she teased, her voice dropping into a flirtatious whisper.

Sophia wasn’t amused. "Laura, are you listening? Did you hit your head?"

Laura chuckled. "I’m just trying to get under your skin, Sophia. But seriously, have you seen the hottie bodyguards Damon sent? You’re missing out."

Sophia’s expression darkened instantly.

Yup. She really doesn’t like Blackwell.

I had no idea who she was, but I got the sense she could kill me in five different ways with a spoon.

Still... I liked her style. Way better than Logan’s.

Speaking of which—where the hell was that bastard?

If he was so protective of Laura, shouldn’t he be here too? Not that I was dying to see his smug face. Honestly, I’d rather not. I just couldn’t forget the way he threw his arms around my girl.

I glanced at Sophia. "What do you plan on doing with that woman? Is she alive?"

"Nope," she said flatly. "She had a pulse, but she’ll die shortly. So get out of bed, Laura."

"Oh."

Laura slipped off the bed as I helped steady her, my arm around her waist. Together, we watched as Sophia calmly lifted the unconscious nurse and laid her on the hospital bed with deliberate care.