Chapter 51: – I’ll Kill You! –
Serena stared blankly at the ceiling of the hospital room. Her head throbbed with a dull, pounding headache. She couldn’t move from her bed or even part her lips to speak.
When she’d done what she did, all she intended was to taunt Viviana.
’Who knew that bitch would behave like an animal and put her hands on me? Had I seen it coming, I would have never allowed her to reduce me to this mess’ She would have scoffed were her face not aching.
"Serena." The voice belonged to Savannah.
Serena forced herself to turn her head, eyes heavy as she looked at her mother, who closed the door behind her. "Mom."
"How are you?" Savannah asked as she pulled a chair closer and sat beside her. "Do you feel okay? How bad does it hurt? Too much? Do you need me to call the doctor?"
"No."
Serena sniffled, eyes watering.
"How could you just sit there and watch while she did that to me?"
Savannah blinked. "Serena..."
"She was beating me, and you didn’t do anything. Not even my so-called stepfather! Fine, he’s not my real father. But you, Mom? Why didn’t you stop her?"
"Serena, don’t talk like that." Savannah shook her head. "We were all taken aback. Even your father. No one expected it. This was Viviana, the one everyone stepped on. The dog in our house. To think she’d suddenly change like this..."
Serena sobbed quietly. "My nose hurts. My head is pounding, Mom. And I can’t really feel my mouth. Did she break my nose? Did she?"
"No, of course not."
Savannah quickly smoothed her hair.
"I spoke to the doctor. He said you’ll be fine in a few days. Don’t worry, you’re okay."
Serena clenched her teeth, exhaling shakily. "I’m going to kill her." Her gaze shifted to the ceiling, her fists gripping the bedsheet. "Just wait, Viviana. The second I get out of here, I’ll kill you."
—-----
An SUV rolled to a stop at the side of the road. One of the bodyguards jumped out, hurrying to open the back door.
A heel settled on the concrete floor, then another, as Savannah stepped out. She looked around with a nasty expression, her gaze fixing on the building ahead.
"How shabby," she muttered as her lips curled. She climbed the stairs and approached the door, lifting her hand to knock. After a few seconds, she rang the bell, tapping her heel against the floor impatiently.
The handle turned, and the door was opened.
Viviana appeared into view, pausing surprisingly when she saw her.
Savannah folded her arms. "So this is where you live now? You left your family, your class, to reduce yourself to... this."
Viviana took a deep breath. "Why are you here?"
Savannah’s eyes swept over her. Viviana wore an oversized shirt that clearly belonged to Nikolas. That husband of hers. The sight almost made Savannah laugh. "Really? You? Dressed like that?"
"Why are you here?" Viviana’s chin lifted slightly as she cocked a brow. "If you have nothing to say, I’m closing this door."
Savannah stepped into her space, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "I hope you didn’t think you’d get away with what you did to my daughter."
"I didn’t hope," Viviana shot back flatly. "I knew I would."
"What?"
Viviana folded her arms and tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "What? Are you here to tell me I’m getting arrested?" A burst of laughter bubbled out of her. "Go ahead and try, Savannah. Let’s see if you can pull that off."
Savannah’s eyes flickered, her jaw clenching. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Viviana’s expression dropped, every trace of amusement gone. "Do you really think my father would let you have me arrested? That’s impossible, and you know it. He wouldn’t allow it, certainly not over something your daughter started. I mean... let’s lay it out, shall we?"
"I came with my husband to our family dinner, and your daughter thought it was okay to put her filthy mouth on him. That man belongs to me. What was I supposed to do? Sit there quietly?" She gave a mock gasp, hand over her chest, before rolling her eyes. "Is this a joke? Did you expect me to swallow my anger while your daughter went on and on about how good he tasted?"
Her eyes turned cold. "Since you wouldn’t stop her, I did. I made sure she understood never to touch what belongs to another. It’s bad manners."
Savannah’s hand flew across her face, the smack she’d landed echoing with a painful sound. "You little B*TCH!"
Viviana rolled her tongue against her cheek, letting the stinging pain settle. She then looked back at Savannah and smiled faintly. "I’ll let you have this one. But it better be the last time you put your hands on me. If you try it again, respect might be something we’ll toss out the window."
"Violent animal!" Savannah spat. "Look what you’ve become."
Viviana shrugged. "Blame my father." She turned and stepped inside, grabbing the door. "I don’t ever want to see you here again. Not even your shadow." She slammed the door shut in her face.
Savannah stood frozen, staring at the door. She slowly turned her head toward the guards and almost questioned whether she’d imagined the whole thing.
Both men quickly looked away, clearing their throats.
Not even they had ever seen the Lady Di-grassi like this. She was a completely different person that was almost unrecognizable.
—---------
Fernando stood at the floor-length window of his room, staring down at the busy night street below. He swirled the wine in his glass and lowered his gaze to the dark liquid.
"The way she looked at him..." he muttered.
Antonio, standing stiffly by the door, blinked in confusion. He’d been summoned without explanation and had no idea why he was there.
"I’ve never seen her look at any man like that before," Fernando said. "She lost her mind because another woman kissed him. That’s... new. Does she actually have a thing for this guy, or am I imagining things? Viviana cast me aside without hesitation, and now she’s what? Acting like this over that... thing?"