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As we entered the house,Thomas, the family doctor, was already waiting. His eyes widened at the sight of Anastacia in my arms, his expression a mix of concern and professionalism. “Take her upstairs,” he instructed, his voice steady but laced with urgency. I nodded, my grip tightening around her as I hurried up the stairs towards my bedroom.

Once there, I used one hand to pull back the covers, placing her under one of the thinner sheets. Thomas appeared at my side, taking a good look at my wife.

“You may stay or leave. It’s your choice.” He nodded as I stepped aside to let him get to her.

“I’ll stay. I promised I wouldn’t leave her again.” I pulled the armchair to the side of the bed, settling into it without letting my gaze leave her.

Thomas worked swiftly and gently as he examined Anastacia. When he lifted her shirt, I saw more bruises covering her ribs, stomach, and waist. I felt sick and tried my best to suppress my rage. Despite being asleep, her brows furrowed. She winced with every bruise that he touched.

“Her rib is broken,” he muttered, his gaze flicking to me. “I suspect her jaw has a minor fracture. You can bring her to the hospital for an x-ray. Other than that the rest are bruises, but she’ll need rest. A lot of it.”

“Trust me, she’ll get it. Whatever she needs.”

Thomas nodded, handing me a bottle of medication. “I’ll leave this for her, along with some instructions for her care. Keep her as still as possible, no matter how much she protests.”

“You have my word.” I nodded, “I’ll arrange to bring her into the hospital too.”

“Good.” He smiled softly. “And Lorenzo, don’t beat yourself up about this. She’s safe because of you.” He patted my shoulder. I had known Thomas since I was a boy. He looked after every cut, scrape, and wound I had.

“She was also taken because of me. I should have come straight to the house the night I let her father live, but I didn’t, I went for a drink. One I didn’t even have. I wasn’t here when she needed me.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“But you’re here now. That’s what matters. Take care of her.”

With a final glance at Ana, he was gone, leaving me alone with the woman who turned my whole life on its head.

I sat beside her, gently brushing my thumb over her bruised cheek as her pained expression softened and relaxed. I took her hand in mine and caressed her bare ring finger.

“I’m so sorry, Ana,” I whispered, taking her wedding band from the side table, but before I could put it back in its rightful place, a commotion erupted downstairs.

My head snapped up, my body coiling like a predator. I rose to my feet, leaving her side for a split second to investigate. The sound of Victor’s bellowing voice reached me first, the man’s fury vibrating through the halls.

“I want to see my daughter!” he roared. I rounded the corridor, catching sight of him from the top of the staircase. His frame blocked the entrance to the foyer, his men scattered behind him like discarded toys.

“You go. I’ll watch Ana.” Nicolo nodded as he joined me at the top of the stairs.

“Don’t take your eyes off her,” I ordered before making my way towards where Victor waited for me.

“I suggest you keep your voice down,” I hissed as I reached the bottom of the stairs, his eyes narrowing in on me.

“You killed three of my best men,” he spat.

“You mean, the men you banished? The ones thatusedto be your best men? Or the ones who kept your daughter locked away and tied up like she was nothing?!”

“Where is she?” he demanded, but he had no right to demand anything.

“She’s safe. Unlike Chad, who will pay a heavy price for what he did to her.” I stepped closer to him, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Let me make myself clear, Victor. If you think I’ll ever disclose Chad’s location to you, then you’re out of your mind. The only one who will kill him is me. Or my wife, if that’s what she wishes. You are not part of this.”

His chest heaved, his pride faltering. “I’m her father! I have a right?—”

“No, you had a right once but not anymore,” I interrupted. “Did you know about Chad’s games?”

“I swear I didn’t know what he was up to,”

“Did you know he had photos of her? Hundreds of them were plastered all over the walls. Did you know he let those men you claimed to once be the best assault her until she was covered in bruises?” I leaned into him. “Of course you wouldn’t, because you don’t give a shit about anyone other than yourself.”

I knew he had no clue what they’d done to her. I only just found out, but that didn’t stop me from losing it. I used to think that the second he agreed to my deal was the second he stopped caring about her, but I was sure he never truly cared about her to begin with. I may have told him to stay away, but as her father, he could have gone against my word and started a search himself.

“Get out of my house, Victor,” I had calmed down a little, I realised there was no point in losing it, he wasn’t worth it.