Chapter 3 My pride

I can't believe I am standing in front of Mr.Moretti; the most powerful mafia boss in Spain– and I had the audacity to speak to him rudely earlier. But it's not like he didn't deserve it. Now, see where my pride has gotten me to. If I don't die today, I won't kill Michael when I next see him. Oh lord help me'

He just stood there, glaring at me like he was waiting patiently to eat my soul.

"I want her out!" Sophia jabbed a manicured finger toward Emily, who stood stiff, her hands still clutching the cleaning rag she'd been using only minutes ago. "This... this nobody should not be anywhere near my daughter!"

Her eyes glistened with false tears as she turned to Alexander, her voice breaking with carefully crafted tremors. "Do you know what I walked in on? This woman was hovering over Amara, touching her like she had the right! What if something had happened? What if she had hurt her? Alex, I cannot- I will not allow this! For the sake of our child, send her away!"

Emily's throat tightened, but she refused to shrink back. Her eyes burned as she looked at Sophia. "That's not true, I wasn't doing anything wrong. Your daughter called out in her sleep. I was nearby, and I only leaned closer. That's it. Nothing more."

Her voice wavered but carried defiance. "And you shouldn't blame my supervisor for any of this either. I followed orders, I did my job. If anyone should be questioned, it's me, not her."

Sophia let out a mocking laugh, sharp and cruel. "How dare you call me a liar? Who the hell do you think you are? You are just a nobody, a cleaner.. you are just dirt. Job? You call wiping floors a job? That's all you are-someone who scrubs dirt. Don't stand there and act like you're some saint. My daughter doesn't need a cleaner pretending to be her mother." Sophia said, attacking without any sympathy. She came in front of Emily throwing her venom around.

Emily flinched, but lifted her chin. "I'm not pretending to be anyone's mother. I was simply-"

"She's lying!" Sophia cut her off, her voice rising hysterically. She spun to Alexander, clutching at his arm with desperate theatrics. "Don't you see? She's just like the rest of them. She thinks if she get close to Amara she can replace me. But news flash, Alexander is mine and no one is taking him away from me. Her voice cracked with perfectly rehearsed grief. " If she doesn't apologize and leave this hospital right now,I'll take Amara away. I won't let her stay in a place where strangers can replace her own mother." Sophia threatened, placing her hands on Alexander's Chest

The words hung in the air like poison.

Emily's breath caught. Sophia had turned the whole scene into a circus of lies. And Alexander... Alexander stood silent, his sharp gaze flickering between them.

Finally, his voice rumbled, low and cutting. "Sophia... where were you?"

The question froze the room. Sophia blinked, stunned. "W-What?"

"You're so busy accusing others of being near our daughter," Alexander pressed, his voice growing harder, colder, "yet you weren't. You claim to be the concerned mother, but where were you when Valerie was crying out? You weren't in this room. You weren't even close by." he bit back with anger in his eyes.

Sophia faltered, her lips parting as her carefully constructed mask began to crack.

Alexander's eyes narrowed. "Do you know how many times you've left her to chase parties, designers, photographers? Do you know how many times I've had to pick up the slack for your absence? And now you dare to question someone who was only doing her job?"

Gasps rose from a couple of nurses nearby. Sophia's face went scarlet. "You-you dare speak to me like that? In front of her?" She spat the word like venom, glaring at Emily.

Emily, however, refused to back down. Her fists trembled at her sides, her eyes blazing. "I don't need you to defend me, Mr. Moretti," she snapped suddenly, turning on him, her voice trembling with fury and pain.

Both Alexander and Sophia stilled.

Emily's chest heaved as words poured out of her like fire. "Why is it that everywhere I go, everything I do, somehow you are there-at the center of every disaster that ruins my day? I've been insulted, humiliated, accused, and now you stand here deciding my character as if you know me at all." I said not caring about the consequences or the fact that for some reason his eyes suddenly had a weird and uncomfortable effect on me.

Her voice cracked, but her anger only sharpened. "You don't know me. You don't know what I've been through. All you see is a woman with a rag in her hands and a low-class background. And if quitting this job is the only way to end this madness-then I quit! And you can forget about the sorry ass apology you are looking for" she said facing Sophia with rage in her eyes and her palms curved into a fist.

Alexander's jaw tightened, but she wasn't finished.

"I don't need your pity. I don't need you standing there like some savior defending me. Because the truth is-you don't know me, and you never will."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Sophia smirked, satisfied for once, but Alexander stood rooted, his heart thundering. Emily's words, raw and sharp, had cut through him deeper than any accusation Sophia could conjure. For the first time in years, Alexander Black's composure faltered.

He had been insulted, yes-but more than that, he had been shaken. Because for the first time... he realized someone wasn't afraid of him or his title.

And that didn't just terrify him... it sparked curiosity and interest more than anything else.

___

Emily walked out of the hospital room with her head down, each step heavier than the last. Her chest ached like someone had wrapped chains around it, and behind her eyes, the tears she fought so hard to hold back pressed and burned.

Why did I say that? she scolded herself silently, her throat tightening. Why did I let my stupid pride ruin everything?

Her fingers clenched the rag still in her hands, the symbol of her job-her last shred of stability. Yes, she worked at the library and cafe but as silly as it may sound... The pay put together was nothing compared to this job-now slipping away because she couldn't bite her tongue. The corridor blurred, her vision swimming, but she forced herself to keep moving. She refused to let them see her break, not here, not in front of him.

"Emily!" Carmen's voice called softly from behind, quick footsteps echoing as she caught up. The older woman's eyes were wide with concern, her hands wringing nervously.

"Emily, wait-please." She reached out, catching Emily's arm. "I'm so sorry. I didn't think it would end like this. If I hadn't sent you into that room-"

Emily shook her head, her voice hoarse. "Don't apologize, Carmen. You were just doing your job. This... this was me. I ruined it. I always ruin everything."

Her voice cracked, and before she could stop it, a tear escaped, trailing hot down her cheek. She wiped it away angrily, her frustration boiling over. "Why does my life keep falling apart? Why does every choice I make backfire on me?"

Carmen's heart ached for her. She squeezed Emily's arm gently. "You didn't ruin anything. That man-Alexander-he's complicated, too powerful for his own good. But you... you stood up for yourself. You should be proud of that."

Emily laughed bitterly, shaking her head. "Proud? I just walked out on the only job keeping me afloat. I don't even know how I'll pay rent next week."

For a moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by the sound of distant footsteps and the steady beeping of machines behind closed doors. Then Carmen lowered her voice, as if afraid someone might overhear.

"Emily... have you thought about taking the test?"

Emily froze, blinking at her in shock. "What?"

"The compatibility test," Carmen whispered urgently. "I know it sounds crazy, but think about it-the money they pay for it would change everything for you. It's more than you'd make in six years, maybe more. And if you're compatible..." she hesitated, glancing away, "your life could change overnight."

Emily shook her head sharply, her stomach twisting. "Carmen, no. That's not me. I'm not going to throw myself into something like that just because I'm desperate especia after what I just went through.. i dont think I want to have anything to do with that family."

"Desperate doesn't mean foolish, Emily," Carmen said firmly. "It means survival. And you deserve a chance to survive, don't you? And with what happened shouldn't you find some sort of relief"

Emily swallowed hard, torn between the weight of her pride and the brutal truth of her circumstances. She could still hear her own words ringing in the hospital room-her anger, her defiance, her reckless pride-and now, out here, all she felt was small. Small, broke, and painfully alone.

Her hands shook as she whispered, more to herself than to Carmen, "I don't know if I can survive much more of this."

And for the first time, the thought of taking that test didn't feel so impossible. " OK... I'll do it" Emily said, giving Carmen a soft smile.

" That's great, let's go" Carmen said as she guided Emily towards the clothes hallway.

~~~

Emily sat on the edge of the examination table, fingers twisted together so tightly her knuckles turned white. The sterile smell of disinfectant pressed around her, her heart beating far too loudly in her chest.

Carmen stood close, rubbing her shoulder. "It's just a test, sweetheart. Nothing more. You'll come back tomorrow for the results. Whatever happens, happens."

Emily bit her lip. "And if it's... bad? If I don't pass?" Emily stated with so much disbelief.

Carmen's smile was gentle, though her eyes carried a weight Emily didn't quite understand. "Then nothing changes. You keep going, one day at a time, just like you always have."

The doctor came in briefly, professional and detached, explaining the procedure. Emily nodded, barely hearing the words, her mind floating somewhere between fear and hope. It didn't take long-blood drawn, papers signed, instructions given.

"Come back tomorrow for the results," the doctor said briefly before leaving the room.

Emily exhaled shakily, as though she'd been holding her breath the entire time.

Carmen turned to her, squeezing her hands. "There. It's done. And now, no matter what comes of it, you know you tried."

Emily's eyes softened, tears prickling at the edges. She whispered, "Thank you, Carmen. For everything. If it wasn't for you... I don't know what I'd do."

Carmen pulled a key from her purse and pressed it into Emily's palm. "Here. Go to my place. Rest. I won't be back until later, but the fridge is stocked. Take a long shower. Sleep. You need it."

Emily's lips trembled as she hugged the woman tightly, burying her face against her shoulder. "You're my angel, Carmen."

"Go on, now," Carmen whispered, stroking her hair once before letting her go. "And don't you dare give up on yourself."

Emily left the hospital with a fragile sense of relief, clutching Carmen's keys like they were a lifeline.

But she didn't know that eyes were already on her.

From across the polished corridor, leaning against the glass wall with a deceptively calm stance, Alexander watched her go. His face betrayed nothing, but in his eyes, something dark flickered-a spark of interest, unwanted yet unshakable.

The proud little cleaner who had stood up to him, who had spit her defiance in his face, now looked small and breakable as she walked away. And yet... he couldn't stop watching her.

"Sir?" One of his men approached quietly, bowing his head.

Alexander's jaw tightened as he gave the order. His voice was low, dangerous, filled with command. "Look into her. Everything. Name, past, family... I want to know who she really is."

The man bowed again. "Yes, sir."

As Emily stepped out into the night, clutching Carmen's keys and whispering prayers for a better tomorrow, she had no idea that her every step had just been claimed by a man she swore she hated-yet whose gaze would never let her go.

-

Lilith's pov

I don't know how she will take this news. But I have to let her know.

~~~

Dear Emily,

By the time you read this, my heart will already be heavy. The guards informed me today that I'll be transferred to another prison facility upstate. They say it's for "administrative reasons," but we both know what that really means-it's their way of pulling threads loose, of separating people before they grow too close.

This means that next weekend will be the last time we'll see each other.

I don't know how to put into words what you've come to mean to me. In a place where hope is stripped, where days bleed into nights and nothing feels alive, you brought a light. Your kindness, your stubborn way of never looking at me like I was just another convict-you reminded me I was still human. You reminded me I was still worth remembering.

Don't you dare let anyone make you feel small, Emily. You're stronger than you know, even if you don't see it right now. I've watched you face humiliation, anger, and judgment, yet you still stand tall. That kind of strength can't be broken. Promise me you'll hold onto it, no matter what the world throws at you.

And when you think of me, don't picture the prison walls. Picture us laughing at the table, sharing secrets like we were free women again. That's the memory I want you to keep.

Next weekend, I'll hold you tighter than I ever have before. And after that... we'll let the Moon and stars carry the rest of our words.

With love,

Lilith

~~

I really hope she gets this letter as soon as possible. I sealed the letter inside the brown envelope and dropped it in the mail box as we were outside serving our daily punishment of clearing the environment. This is all my fault and I can for any reason keep letting her take the punishment, I have to talk her out of taking me out... she needs to live her life.

BACK AT THE HOSPITAL

The faint beep of Amara's heart monitor was the only sound Alexander wanted to hear, the steady rhythm reminding him that his daughter was safe, that she was the only thing that mattered in this sterile room. It gave him peace to know he still had his daughter and would do anything and everything to shield her from his god forsaken world filled with pain, blood and regret

She was the one piece of humanity he had left...the only thing he doesn't regret.

He brushed his thumb gently across her tiny hand, a rare softness in his usually unyielding demeanor.

But of course, Sophia couldn't leave well enough alone.

She leaned against him, pressing her presence where it wasn't welcome, her perfume sickly sweet in the air. "Alex," she whispered, her voice cracking with practiced emotion, "we have to protect her. You and I-we're all she has."

Alexander's jaw tightened. He didn't move his hand from his daughter, didn't even look at Sophia. "Cut it out." His voice was ice, sharp enough to slice through the fragile act she was clinging to.

Sophia flinched, blinking up at him with wide eyes. "What?"

"This isn't one of your scenes, Sophia," he said coldly, finally turning his gaze on her. He flinched even being so close to her.

"You don't get to play the grieving mother when all you've done here is humiliate another woman, twist her into some kind of threat, because you thought she was trying to get to me."

Sophia's lips parted, her face shifting from wounded to offended. "She was! Can't you see? That girl...she's not innocent. She's a stalker, Alex. You think it's a coincidence she's here, near our daughter, looking at you like-like you're her salvation? I know women like her. I know their tricks. I was only protecting you... protecting us" she said, moving closer to him, looking him in the eyes as though the last words were meant to mean something.

Alexander let out a short, humorless laugh, leaning back in his chair. "Protecting us? From what? A woman you just met? A cleaner doing her job? Don't flatter yourself, Sophia. Not everything in this world revolves around you-or your paranoia. And let this be the last time you try to use our daughter to get close to me." He shot her a dead glare which sent chills down her spine.

But Sophia wasn't one to ever give up on what she wants.

Sophia's nostrils flared. She reached for his arm, her manicured nails grazing his sleeve as she leaned closer, voice dripping with feigned intimacy. " You're right, she is just a cleaner and we shouldn't let her make us fight" he looked at her with disgust in his eyes... The only thing he could do was stand there and tighten his fist so he wouldn't react. Even though he was finding it hard not to.

Alex... why can't you just see I'm the only one who's ever stood by you? Those women will ruin you. But me-" Her lips tilted toward his, a desperate attempt to bridge the distance between them.

He caught her chin in a firm grip and pushed her face back, his eyes burning into hers with deadly calm. "Don't."

Her breath hitched.

"Don't you ever try that again," Alexander said, voice low, dangerous. " Ruin me?... That's rich coming from the woman; who abandoned her child a week after birth and magically showed up two months before her breakdown. You have never been there Sophia, you weren't there when she said her first words ,you weren't there when she took her first step and you damn weren't there when she had her first injury and cried herself to sleep questioning whether you loved her or not for not being around.

I rather have anyone around even the cleaner than a woman like you...You and I are done, Sophia. You think I've forgotten why? You cheated. You destroyed whatever was left between us. You've never been a wife, and you sure as hell have never been a mother. So don't start pretending now."

He spat out making sure every word hit twice as hard as he intended it too... and for the first time in years he could see real pain in her eyes, not those rehearsed ones from her scenes.

Her face went pale, rage flickering in her eyes at his words.

He turned back to Valerie, softening only for his daughter as he adjusted her blanket. "The only person I'll protect in this room is her. Not you. Not your pride. Her... so please do us both a favour and leave. I don't want her waking up to find out her mother caused a scene."

And for the first time since their divorce, Sophia realized that Alexander meant every word.