Chapter 43: 43
"The devil finally decided to show herself," I heard Dr. Scott say as I stepped into his office. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "You seem all decked up. Where are you headed or coming from?" he inquired with a sly smile. I raised my left hand, displaying the diamond ring I was wearing.
"I got married," I said, taking my seat. He didn’t look surprised at all, as if he had expected it.
"Then I guess it’s high time to proceed with the next stage of our plan, right?" He placed a specimen cup before me, and I nodded.
"Besides being friends with my mother, have you been able to find out anything on Nix?"
"Sorry, no, but I have news that would excite you... it’s time for a new heir to be chosen."
"A new heir means the seal would need to be used," I interjected, "and I have half of the seal." I looked up at him, and he nodded.
"Well, the other half of the seal seems lost somewhere in this universe, but I hope we get to it. I’ve always wondered how you managed to act like a mute for so long and fool your grandfather into believing you’re dead."
I picked up the surgical blade, running it through my palm. "Even I wonder if he’s a fool. After all, he made me what I am. Does he seriously believe I could be easily killed?" I tilted my head, filling the specimen cup with my blood.
I surely deserve an acting award for convincing the whole world that I’m a helpless mute. Pretending wasn’t difficult, but retrieving my memories was the hard part. After waking up, I found myself in an orphanage. What the manager told me never sounded convincing, seeing how I could assimilate different business strategies and even hack the orphanage’s security like a professional at such a young age.
After some months, Dr. Scott found his way to me, introducing himself as my mother’s younger brother. He conducted tests on me and concluded that my memories were being suppressed by a drug. With the help of the orphanage manager, Mrs. Joel, who I referred to as Grandma, I began therapy but still didn’t regain my memories. My therapist said there was nothing more he could do since it was my consciousness that didn’t want to remember. But I knew who my enemy was, and so we began our plan.
I didn’t want my grandfather to suspect my survival, so I needed someone powerful enough to shield me,someone whose actions couldn’t be questioned, someone who could turn the world inside out to achieve what he wants.
Grandma introduced Nix Dean,but she was murdered before I could think of a way to bring me into Nix’s life, but it seems she had it all planned, as he showed up after her death.
"A little bird told me Nix Dean was betrothed to you," Dr. Scott said, smiling from ear to ear.
"Not me. The daughter of the Dalton family. I’m clearly not their daughter."
"You can continue saying that, but it will never change the truth that the person claiming to be the daughter of the Dalton family is just an imposter made to take your place."
"Well, I wish her the best of luck, as I plan on bringing down the entire Dalton family." I placed Nix’s card before him. "Get the painting back. I’ll come and take the card when you are done," I said, wrapping my hand in the bandage.
As I rose to my feet,a chill ran down my spine. The pieces were falling into place, but the path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty. The real game was about to begin, and in this world of deception and power plays, trust was the rarest currency. With each step, the weight of my mission pressed heavily on my shoulders, but I was ready. The devil had shown herself, and the stage was set.
"This amount of blood will be able to unlock the chest where the painting is," I said, placing the cap back on the specimen cup before making my way towards the door.
"I don’t think I’d be able to block Justin from finding you. He’s just too determined," I heard Dr. Scott say as I reached the threshold.
"Then let him find me," I commented, continuing my way back to the receptionist.
Aside from meeting with Dr. Scott, I needed to undergo a thorough body check-up. I couldn’t tell him about the blurry images I’d been seeing, the immense headaches, or the continuous nosebleeds. It would only worry him. He had already lost his sister and almost lost me once. If he found out I was having any health challenges, he’d cancel the entire plan, which I strictly opposed.
The stakes were high, and every move had to be calculated. With each step, the weight of my secrets grew heavier, but revealing them now would be too dangerous. The plan was set in motion, and there was no turning back. Let Justin come find me, after all I still needed enough support to be able to bring that psycho family down and I was ready for whatever lay ahead.
"Good morning ma’am, how may I help you?" The receptionist asked with a pleasant smile which I returned "I have a CT scan appointment"
"Name please"
"VIP" I said and she nodded as she typed on her keyboard and then looked up with a smile
"This way please, Doctor Orlèans has been expecting your arrival" she said leading the way.
I stepped into the office, the nurse closing the door with a soft click behind me. The man sitting at the desk looked up, his eyes narrowing.
"I wouldn’t say it’s a pleasure to see your face," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. I couldn’t resist rolling my eyes.
"As if I am pleased to see you, wish I had killed you that day," I retorted, maintaining eye contact. The tension between us was palpable, the air thick enough to suffocate anyone else present. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled a slow, sardonic curve of the lips.
"I missed you, my girl," Zamiel said, advancing toward me. He wrapped his arms around me, and despite my efforts to push him away, he was stronger than he used to be. Desperately, I kneed him in the gut.
"Stay off me," I spat, shoving him back.
His grin widened as he steadied himself. "Your attitude remains the same even after so many years." He limped slightly, still trying to balance himself. "I must say, my best friend became a big shot without her family name. I was at your school auction; your piece was a hit."
I nodded, taking a seat. "I even saw a guy who looked like Nathan, but I guess I was mistaken," he continued, seating himself across from me.
"Who’s Nathan?" I raised an eyebrow, watching his face fall.
"Don’t tell me you don’t remember."
"Remember what?"
"When we were kids, we underwent severe training as heirs of the Mafia dynasty. We weren’t supposed to know each other’s names but were referred to one another by the titles of our families. Nathan belonged to Alpha One family, you were Alpha Two, I was Alpha Three, and then there was Alpha Four. Alpha Four was the most competitive and refused to relate with us.
But you, Nathan, and I became friends. Since you were the youngest and only girl among us, with extraordinary skills, we all knew you would be the heir. We hoped you would choose one of us as your husband."
"Really?" I looked at him skeptically.
"Yes. Nathan and I took special care of you, but.."
"But?" I prompted.
"Nathan’s care for you was more like an obsession." I stared at him, uncertain whether to believe his story. My memory was fragmented, but something about his tale tugged at my subconscious.
"So why did you come to see me? You could have gone to your uncle for anything."
"You’re the owner of the hospital, and I prefer professionalism. Since I came to you instead of consulting my uncle, you must understand I want my results to be kept secret." My tone was serious, maintaining eye contact.
"Please change into the clothes behind the curtain so we can proceed," he replied in a professional tone. I nodded, rising to my feet and moving behind the curtain to find a neatly folded blue gown.
"If you don’t mind me asking, why do you want a CT scan?"
"I want to make sure I’m okay. You know what I’ve been planning and who I’m up against. I can’t afford to fall ill." His silence was telling and pressuring although he wasn’t looking at me
"The truth, Carmela," he pressed, reading my mind. I sighed, slipping into the gown.
"After finding out I was alive, did you ever visit me in the orphanage?"
"No, it would have been too suspicious. We weren’t supposed to make friends, but it wasn’t a secret that we got along well."
"Hmm," I murmured, stepping out from behind the curtain. He leaned against the table, watching me.
"Why do you ask?"
"I’ve been having blurred images of someone from the orphanage, causing severe migraines," I admitted, omitting the part about the nosebleeds.
He fetched a notebook and pen from a drawer, placing them before me. "Make a sketch."
"Why?"
"I heard from your uncle that your memories were being suppressed by a drug. Its effects might be wearing off. Make the sketch," he insisted, removing the pen cap. I took a deep breath, trying to recall the image. Within minutes, I had a rough sketch. I handed it to him, watching his intense scrutiny.
"The drawing looks like Nathan."
"Nathan?" I echoed, still puzzled by the name.
"Yes, but he left the training ground before your event happened." His reaction made me feel there was more history between Nathan and me than I could remember....Like untold tales
"Forget Nathan. I heard it’s time to choose an heir for the dynasty," I changed the topic.
"They can handle that without me. I’m not getting involved." He tossed the sketch aside.
"Why?"
"Carmela, I swore an oath as a doctor to save lives, not take them. I can’t become the heir they’re looking for." I chuckled. He had always been this way, refusing to take part in the affairs of the dynasty although he was raised as a Mafia.
"Shall we?" He opened the door, making a slight bow.
"Of course," I replied.
I wasn’t sure who Nathan or Alpha Four was, but my instincts told me that one of them held the key to the seal I sought, and my instincts never lied.