Matthew gave him a brief look, then stared back at Diana.
+ Nothing happened to you?
Jacob shook his head.
His voice sounded rougher now as if with every passing second, the weight pressing down on his shoulders was getting heavier.
_ No… I'm fine. I was in the car when … when the house exploded.
Matthew nodded.
He glanced at Enzo, who was standing by the elevator doors. It was time to prepare.
It felt like he'd been resting for far too long.
+ Tell them to get the plane ready.
Once she wakes up, I'm going to Sicily.
/ Yes sir… with the helicopter th...
He cut him off.
+ Yeah.
Check on the injured guards. Increase security at the mansion.
Have my mansion evacuated.
/ Yes… and for here..
Matthew activated the central locks on his phone himself.
+ This place is secure. No need.
Enzo bowed respectfully and left quickly.
Matthew went into the kitchen, drank two glasses of water, and brought one back for Jacob.
+ Drink it… breathe steady.
You're about to have a heart attack.
Jacob drank the water weakly.
Both of them stared at the doctor.
Finally, he pulled the phone away from his ear and stood up.
/ She's fine.
No need to worry.
She was shocked by the blast, some surface scratches on her arms and legs from what I saw, nothing that needs stitches.
As for the unconsciousness..
_ I sedated her myself.
/ In that case… she'll probably wake up in a few minutes.
I also recommend a head scan.
My work here is done. Anything else?
+ Jacob?
_ I'm fine…
No need. You can go.
Nelson nodded and left.
_ Was it the Stones?
Matthew sat beside Diana and brushed her hair away from her face, staring at her.
Her pale face looked painfully innocent in sleep.
Seeing the scratches on her cheek and forehead made his jaw clench.
She'd been waiting so long to see her friend… and this was what happened.
+ Probably…
He better pray it wasn't him.
I know exactly what I'll do to him.
_ You're going to Italy? To them?
He gently, carefully stroked her long hair with his fingers.
+ If I don't ask them and they find out, they'll be offended.
There's no choice.
Personally, I'd prefer something else…
_ It's fine. It'll be faster that way.
Jacob kept staring at Diana.
He couldn't forget the helplessness and pleading in her eyes.
the look that begged him to let her go.
Her voice was still echoing in his ears.
_ If she'd gotten out of the car just a few seconds earlier…
God… what could've happened…
The thought tightened his throat with grief.
How much more was she supposed to endure?
What reaction was he even supposed to have anymore?
He couldn't hold it in anymore.
He let his voice break under the pressure.
_ I don't know what I'm supposed to tell her, Matthew.
+ You're not supposed to
His words cut off as Diana stirred.
She'd woken up way too fast.
Both of them stood up.
They took a few steps back and waited.
- Ah… ow…
Her body was stiff; she struggled just to move.
She opened her eyes and saw Matthew and Jacob staring at her.
She blinked a few times until her vision cleared.
She shifted slightly, still dizzy.
Her head was pounding.
Jacob was watching her with concern.
Scenes flashed rapidly in front of her eyes
like a fast-forwarded movie.
Slowly, it started coming back.
Fire.
The sound of burning.
Her eyes widened.
- Luke?
Her gaze wandered around the room.
She forced herself up on her hands.
Her head hurt like hell, her back too.
She grabbed her hair.
- Oh my God… what happened… Luca?
She swung her legs down and planted her feet on the floor.
Jacob was still staring at her.
His voice echoed in her mind
loud, full of panic.
" *_ It's not safe
_ Stop it, Diana. We have to go back "
Another voice in her head kept repeating:
- You didn't let her save Luca…
He didn't let you.
You killed someone else.
Another one. Another one.
She stared at Jacob's face.
Not like always.
Not with kindness.
With hatred.
With rage.
- Damn you…
she said quietly.
- Damn you!
Her voice rose slightly.
- Who the hell gave you the right to stop me? Huh?
She stood up now, shouting.
- How could you kill him?
Why didn't you let me go save him, damn it?
Her throat burned from yelling.
Jacob lowered his head and tried to breathe.
He was terrified of the hatred in Diana's eyes.
A painful lump formed in his throat.
- I'm talking to you.
Matthew stepped forward.
+ Stop it.
Diana didn't look at Matthew.
Her eyes were locked only on Jacob.
She grabbed the glass on the table and smashed it hard onto the floor in front of them.
+ I said stop it.
Her throat was tight with sobs. She was furious.
- You should've let me die too.
Why did you decide for me?
Jacob swallowed hard.
He lifted his gaze, tears pooling in his eyes.
He knew how much pain Diana was in.
And that was exactly why his chest hurt
because of the hatred in her stare.
He whispered softly,
_ I couldn't…
Diana stepped toward him.
- You could've, you bastard
She slammed her hands against Jacob's chest and shoved him back a step.
He mouthed,
_ I'm sorry, Diana…
I'm sorry.
Matthew moved between them, gently pushing Diana back.
She lunged forward again.
+ I said stop it.
There's nothing we can do right now.
- There is! Why wouldn't there be?
Get out of my life.
You ruined my fucking life.
Her sobs broke loose.
She collapsed onto her knees, pounding her hand hard against the floor.
- Get out of my life…
I don't want _hic_ I don't want to see you.
Her wails echoed.
Jacob stood there staring at her, letting his tears fall.
- What else is supposed to happen to me? God…
Why doesn't it ever end?
She grabbed the leg of Matthew's pants in front of her.
- What did I do that I have to pay for it with you, you bastard?
Is it really that hard…
to just leave me… alone?