A Breath Away From Death Chapter 06
“What… what did you just say?”
Ethan stood there, utterly paralyzed, as if the very ground beneath him had given way. His expression was one of disbelief, a mixture of shock and confusion swirling in his eyes.
At that precise moment, the Reece family’s medical vehicle screeched to a halt at the entrance of the lavish party, its tires protesting against the asphalt.
My father, with a commanding presence, swept me into his arms, his grip firm yet protective. He turned his gaze towards the remaining members of the mafia, his voice low but dripping with authority. “Deal with everyone here, but remember my daughter’s orders. Spare their lives.”
Without allowing for a single moment of protest, he carried me out of the chaotic scene, his silence speaking volumes.
Ethan, desperate and frantic, attempted to follow us, but my father’s men formed an unyielding barrier, blocking his path with an almost predatory intensity.
His frustration boiled over, and he shouted above the din of the crowd, “No! Amelia! You know I love you the most! Don’t leave me!” His voice cracked, vulnerability seeping through his bravado.
My father remained stoic, refusing to even glance back at Ethan. Suppressing a surge of anger, he growled, “I already gave you one chance. My daughter needs medical attention. If you continue to interfere, I will obliterate the Rolling Stones entirely.”
Ethan halted, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears, a storm of emotions churning within him as he watched me being carried away towards the luxury car, its sleek exterior gleaming under the party lights.
“Ethan…” I whispered, the name hanging in the air like a fragile thread, but he didn’t respond.
Behind him, my father’s men were swiftly handling Charlotte and her friends, their faces twisted in panic as they were unceremoniously shoved into a tub brimming with champagne. The terror I had just endured was now mirrored in their frantic expressions, their screams muffled as they struggled against the bubbly deluge. Just when it seemed they might drown in their own folly, someone finally dragged them out, gasping for breath.
Charlotte emerged, soaked to the bone, her hair plastered against her face. She stumbled towards Ethan, her sobs echoing through the night. “Ethan, they want to pull out all my teeth! My father knows I offended the Reece family, but he doesn’t even dare to plead for me! You have to save me…”
Ethan stood there, frozen in place, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions swirling within him.
He stared at Charlotte, his mind a blank canvas, painted over with confusion and regret.
In Ethan’s heart, he had always believed Charlotte came from a more prestigious family than I did. She was generous, kind, and considerate—qualities he admired.
There was a fleeting thought that if Charlotte were his fiancée, perhaps he wouldn’t have faced such turmoil in his love life. But that notion quickly faded, replaced by a bitter smile.
Deep down, he knew the truth: the only person he had ever truly loved was me.
He recalled how I didn’t come from wealth, how my career had been nothing to boast about. I didn’t hold the same social status as him, yet he had humbled himself, casting aside his pride to love me.
Charlotte had often mocked me in front of his friends, belittling me and claiming I was unworthy of his affection, that he was a fool for pursuing someone like me.
In hindsight, he realized how foolish he had been.
He had been naive enough to believe that someone as seemingly perfect as Charlotte could never wish to harm me.
He had trusted her completely, and in doing so, he had lost me forever.
As the Reece family’s medical vehicle disappeared around the corner, Ethan remained rooted to the spot, his gaze fixated on the retreating car, oblivious to Charlotte’s cries for help.
He opened his mouth, desperate to find words, yet silence enveloped him like a shroud.
Finally, a single tear escaped from his bloodshot eyes, trailing down his cheek, a testament to his unspoken despair.
Back at the Reece family villa, under the vigilant care of my father and the attentive medical team, I began to recover swiftly. The scars on my hands faded into faint, barely visible lines, a reminder of the chaos I had endured.
Returning home after three long years, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, stirring emotions I had long buried.
Since childhood, my father had been a constant source of worry, particularly concerning my heart condition. He had always shielded me, his protective instincts fierce. When I expressed my desire to become an actress, he had vehemently opposed it, fearing that my fragile health wouldn’t withstand the pressures of such a demanding career.
I had always been the obedient daughter, but there had been a night when courage surged within me, compelling me to escape under the cover of darkness. After meeting Ethan, I had hidden my true identity, terrified that my father would discover my secret life.
It wasn’t until the day before Charlotte’s promotion party that fate intervened. I had overheard her confiding in Ethan, revealing that the Rolling Stones’ success was a direct result of my father’s influence.
My father had always known my whereabouts. He had chosen to remain distant, believing it was best not to disrupt the life I had crafted for myself, wanting only to ease my burdens.
Once I returned home, my father’s anxiety escalated, fearing that the events of the party might repeat themselves. He sought out the world’s leading heart surgeon, who assured us that I had a 90% chance of a full recovery.
“Amelia, I will support you in every way. After the surgery, you can continue chasing your dream of acting,” he promised, his voice filled with conviction and love.
But the night before my surgery abroad, an unsettling event unfolded. Someone intruded upon the sanctity of the Reece family villa.
When my father’s men reported the break-in, their expressions were grave, a shadow of concern darkening their features.
“Principessa, the man who broke in is none other than the boss of the Rolling Stones, Ethan Cross.”
