Chapter 4 - The Unbroken ShadowThe afternoon sun broke through the heavy storm clouds, casting warm, golden rays across the private corner suite on the top floor of St. Jude’s Hospital.
Skyler opened her eyes slowly.
Her vision was blurry, her head felt as though it were filled with lead, and a dull, throb of pain echoed through her left cheek. She tried to move her hand, but found it trapped beneath something warm and heavy.
As her vision cleared, she gasped softly.
Dominic Rossi was sitting in the armchair beside her bed, his broad shoulders slouched with exhaustion, sleeping with his hand wrapped securely around hers. His thumb rested gently over her wrist, tracking her pulse even in his sleep.
Across the room sat Carmela Rossi, resting in a comfortable recliner, holding a cup of tea.
The moment Carmela saw Skyler’s eyes open, the old woman set her tea down and rushed to the bedside, tears streaming down her wrinkled cheeks.
“Skyler!” Carmela whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “Oh, my sweet child! You’re awake!”
The sound of his mother’s voice instantly jolted Dominic awake.
His ice-blue eyes snapped open, locking onto Skyler’s face with an intensity that made her breath catch in her throat. He sat up quickly, his hand tightening around hers before he remembered her fragile state and gently loosened his grip.
“Skyler,” Dominic said softly. His voice, usually so cold and commanding, was rough, cracked with raw emotion. “How do you feel?”
Skyler tried to speak, but her mouth was dry as dust. “Water...” she croaked out.
Dominic instantly picked up a glass of ice water with a straw, leaning over the bed to hold it gently against her lips while she took small, slow sips.
When she finished, Skyler looked down at her hand, still held tightly in Dominic’s, then up at the white bandages covering her face.
“Mrs. Rossi...” Skyler whispered, looking at Carmela. “Are you okay? Did she... did she hurt you?”
Carmela broke into fresh tears, leaning down to kiss Skyler’s forehead gently. “I am fine, my brave girl. Because of you. You saved my life.”
Skyler looked at Dominic, feeling a surge of her old, familiar anxiety. “Mr. Rossi... I’m sorry about the gala. I... I fell into the conservatory... I ruined the dress... I can pay for the glasses—”
“Stop,” Dominic cut her off gently.
He stood up, towering beside her bed, but there was no threat in his posture—only a profound, overwhelming reverence that made Skyler’s heart flutter wildly against her ribs.
“You have nothing to apologize for, Skyler,” Dominic said, his gray-blue eyes burning with an intense, unwavering sincerity. “You took a poison-laced blade meant for my mother. You saved her life, and in doing so, you saved mine.”
Skyler blinked, confused. “Poison?”
Dominic nodded grimly. “The ring Bianca wore was coated with a lethal neurotoxin. You spent the last twelve hours fighting for your life in an ICU.”
Skyler’s face went pale. “Is... is Miss Moretti going to fire me?”
A dark, subtle smile touched the corner of Dominic’s handsome lips—a smile that held the absolute power of a king who had destroyed an entire kingdom for her sake.
“Bianca Moretti is no longer in New York,” Dominic revealed quietly. “And her family no longer exists in this city. You will never have to shrink yourself, apologize, or hide from anyone ever again.”
May you like
He reached out, his long fingers gently touching the edge of the bandage on her cheek.
“From this day forward,” Dominic declared, his voice echoing through the quiet room like a solemn vow, “you are no longer a maid in my house, Skyler. You are under the personal protection of the Rossi family.”
