Chapter 2 TWIST OF FATE

LAURA:

A tsunami of headache whirled in my skull, spinning me into a halo of light. My nostrils flared from the sting of antiseptic, as I squinted against the fluorescent's blinding glare.

I raised a hand, wincing, as the cold needle bit into my veins. I looked like a thread draped in a sack; this hospital gown is scratching my body, and I want to rip it to shreds. Ugh!

Last I remembered, I was knocked by a car, no, almost. Did I survive?

The finest blue eyes I've ever seen flashed into my mind. He was hot, hulky, and--

I jerked upright at the sound of his voice, my head snapping in his direction. He snuggled back on the chair, eyes closed, and biting down on his lusciously thin lips.

My cheeks heated in admiration. Kai was handsome, but this man? Sin in a tuxedo was sculpted with perfection.

"S-Sir-"

He was butchering the raunchy chorus of 'Get low,' by Lil Jon and East Side Boyz, making me break out in laughter.

Christ! I thought rich people fancied classical or something more suave? Then, why was he jiggling like a school teenager on Friday night?

His head tipped back, wiggling his brows, and whistling to the rhythm. His slim waist moved as he slapped the air in a smack-that-ass motion.

"Oh, my God," my laughter turned explosive, despite the sting in my arm.

I clutched my mouth at his self-made lyrics, making me want to double over. That earbud was evil because he'd die of cringe upon hearing his bad voice.

Tears misted in my eyes as he sang on. "To the bitches, to the whores, you'd scream while on my cock," he howled. "You'd-"

I doubled over, laughing my guts out. What did I just hear?!

"Shit!"

Calloused hands wrapped around me, hefting me onto the bed. Cedarwood and lavender filled my senses, and I caught a whiff of his musky shampoo. Still, there was something dark about his aura; like a malevolence masked with charm.

"A-Are you okay?" his deep tenor echoed with worry. "I'd call the Doctor."

"Doc--"

"You'd scream while on my cock!" I snickered mockingly. "That's the cringest version of that song, so far. You're a really bad singer."

Shame heated his cheeks, then he looked away. "You weren't supposed to hear that."

"I did," I chuckled.

His expression turned serious. "Is that your way of saying thank you to the man who saved your life?"

The gloominess settled in my chest, ripping the memories open.

Those demons conspired to see my world burn, and they went the extra mile to end my life.

My jaw tightened with vengeance. They made a mistake, letting me live. One they'd regret for the rest of their lives.

His touch burned like acid; these handsome men were rotten on the inside, just like Kai. From his lyrics, it's crystal clear he'd want something obscene in return.

Dropping his hands, I shifted on the bed before he seared me with his words. "Pardon my manners. I'm Kaida Crawford."

I shrieked in terror.

Kaida Crawford? CEO of Caford Group, who wore his smile like a shield, yet had malice with warmth.

Rumors had it: 'White veneers under thin lips- don't let that smile fool you. One word from that dragon and your world catches fire.'

I knew there was something off about this man.

He chuckled, the sound terrifying like a snarl. "Don't worry. I won't bite."

My feet pressed into his crotch as I shifted on the bed.

He grinned suggestively. "Oh, that's why you-"

"No, it's not what you think, I'd never-" I trailed off in shame and fury.

"Darling, there are lots of women on my f**k lists. You'd have to sign an NDA, run medical tests, and sprint through a series of interviews to determine if you can actually handle me."

"I'm not a whore!" I snapped.

"You never know, darling," he said smugly. "Three women are currently in orthopedic care. Is that really what you want?"

"Well, I'm Laura Deville, and you'd stop insulting me this instant!"

We both jerked up defensively. He bent to my height, wearing a shit-eating grin which made my blood boil.

Arrogant peasant.

"Skinny zombie."

I hugged my slender frame, snarling. "Get out of here."

He shrugged. "Oh, I own this hospital."

I felt like taking off my skin. "What kind of Doctor derogates his patients?" I gritted out.

"One; I ain't a doctor," he pranced closer, but I refused to cower. "Two, tell me f**king why you shot in front of my car like a cannonball?"

"It's a government road, you idiot!"

He scoffed, pointing a finger in my direction. "Highways are meant for vehicles."

I swatted his finger away. "Pedestrians cross the road."

The silence stretched, his jaw clenched, and my fist tightened.

Kaida Crawford, saving my life? Hmph, hell would freeze. Men only value something new; when it gets old, they discard it.

"You..." he tipped his chin. "Do you sell heart attacks or are you trying to frame me for murder?"

"I almost had one from how bad you sang."

"Egoistic schadenfreude," he growled. "I should have left you a road whore, run over by a thousand vehicles, and spit on your corpse."

"Chauvinistic Buffon," I shot back. "You weren't even sure if you'd reach your destination."

"You're an ungrateful sack of bones, Laura Deville."

My patience snapped, and I raised my hand. The door flung open, and Aria held me back just in time.

"Tell this ostrich that I don't fancy him, and he'd be f**king a chainsaw if he insults me again, I'd-"

"He saved your life," Aria held me back. "Show little gratitude, Sista."

Aria and I were childhood friends. We haven't seen each other since my marriage. She'd become a travel nurse, and we only spoke through LotusChat. Seeing her brought back a part of me I thought I had lost, but this bastard had successfully soiled my mood.

"Stop kicking, you'd harm the baby!" Aria yelled furiously.

I froze, stuttering. "W-What do you mean?"

A familiar voice chipped in from behind. "You had Don Quai poisoning. That's why you bled through your nose."

Lucian stopped in front of me. He was Leila's fiancé, I'm sure they'd break up if not, that Jezebel wouldn't dare do what she did.

He placed a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, we were only able to save one."

Relief flooded me, soaking through every nerve, still a pang dotted my chest- I lost one.

I placed a hand on my belly, rubbing gently. "We'll get revenge, baby. I promise."

"Come here," Aria pulled me into a hug, whispering hopeful words to my ears.

I went into details, telling them how it all happened. Aria went ballistic, threatening to kill Leila herself. Lucian was devastated; he couldn't believe what Leila had done, and later confirmed they had broken up.

Lucian and Aria's attention was needed, and they strode out. They advised me to apologize to Kaida, but I'd jump off a cliff before speaking to this arrogant man ever.

"Who's the father?"

"None of your business."

He blocked my way, his expression apologetic. "I'm so sorry, I-I misunderstood-"

I rolled my eyes. "Apologies not accepted."

"Lucian said you're discharged. Let me take you home."

"I'd wait for Aria," I replied flatly.

Trust landed me in this situation, not anymore.

My phone chimed, Aria's message lighting the screen: "I'm on night shift. You can stay at my place."

My chest tightened. I'd rather sleep at the hospital than walk an inch in this man.

.

.

.

.

I drove thirty minutes with the man. Why? No cabs, past midnight, and I hated hospitals due to the horrendous films and stories I've heard- everyone has that inner horror thinking child.

Xavier Gardens: the epitome of serenity and old-world charm. But it was as if some of its buildings had vanished into thin air.

I quickly opened the car door, but he grabbed my wrist. "Laura DeVille."

"Here," he handed me his business card. "Call me if you need anything."

I hastily took the card. "It'd fit nicely in a dumpster? Thank you." I forced a smile and stepped out of the car.

He sped off, but I could feel his gaze lingering on me like a hawk watching its prey.

I glanced around- nothing.

My grandmother's grill was only a stone's throw from the bus stop, right in plain sight. Now it's gone, along with other buildings beside it.

I fumbled for my phone, my hands trembling as I dialed Aria's number. "Where's grandma's grill?"

The other end was silent; I knew this silence of hers wasn't a good sign.

"Where's grandma's-"

"It's gone!" Her voice was quieter now. "I'm sorry... It was part of the clearance project. I wanted to tell you, but-"

I hung up, agony tearing through me. Just one night, and my world turned into a nightmare.

Tears flooded my face as I stared at the space where my grandma and I would sell tirelessly until midnight.

I can't just sit at Aria's house, doing nothing.

My brain buzzed, confusion and defeat clashing ferociously.

The card!

The edges tugged at my palm. The numbers on it dared me, hungry to be dialed.

I took a shaky breath. I dialed, then deleted. I needed his help, but the fear of being broken again had become my wisdom.

With all the willpower in me, I tossed it in the bin, blinking back the sting in my eyes.

"If my life's a damn Pandora's box, let chaos reign."

I walked away, but deep down, I knew the box had been open.