CHAPTER 43;
Tina held her bag tightly and firmly,she stepped out of the car and walked towards her company. Her heels clicked softly against the pavement as she walked toward the entrance of her company, that is built of glass.
Her mind was already racing with work tasks. She didn't even notice the sound of the motorbike approaching fast from the corner, towards her.
In a flash, the bike hit her side. Tina screamed as she hit the ground, her phone and purse flying away. The bike man didn't stop. He zoomed off without even turning to look back.
"Tina!" a staff member shouted, rushing to her. Others followed, gasping.
"Oh my God!"
"Call an ambulance!"
"She's bleeding—someone get a towel!"
"No, forget that. Let's take her in my car—she's still conscious!"
Tina groaned, her hand on her head. "It was planned," she whispered. "That wasn't an accident."
"We'll talk at the hospital," a staff member said. "Just breathe, Tina. You'll be okay."
---
Tina, Lying on the hospital bed with her arm wrapped with a bandage and a bruise on her forehead, Tina reached for her phone with trembling hands. She dialed Kate's number.
"Pick up, please, pick up..."
"Hello?" Kate's voice came through.
"Tina? What's wrong? You sound—"
"I was hitten, By a bike. At the office entrance. The man didn't stop."
"What?! Are you okay?"
"I don't know. They said nothing was broken, but I feel weak. I'm at ValleyView Hospital."
"I'm coming. Don't move. I'm on my way now."
---
Kate rushed into the hospital room, breathless. She hurried to Tina's side and grabbed her hand.
"What happened?" Kate asked, eyes wide with panic.
"I was walking, Kate. Just walking. The man didn't even try to stop. It was like he came for me."
Kate frowned deeply, she pulled a stool and sat beside her. "This is not ordinary."
"It wasn't. I could feel it," Tina whispered. "It was intentional."
Kate took a shaky breath. "I'm telling Liam. He needs to know."
"No, Kate, wait—"
But Kate was already out the door.
---
Liam's phone rang. He saw Kate's name and picked up quickly.
"Kate?"
"It's Tina," she said. "She's in the hospital. She was hit by a bike—on purpose."
Liam stood up from his chair. "What? Is she okay?"
"She's conscious. Her forehead is Bruised, she's in pain. But it wasn't a mistake, Liam. The man just sped off like it was planned."
"I'm coming right now. Where?"
"ValleyView."
Liam didn't say another word. He grabbed his keys and ran out.
---
When Liam arrived, he pushed the door open and saw Tina sitting up, her face pale.
"Tina."
She looked up, surprised to see him. "Liam..."
He came to her side, eyes scanning her face. "You're okay?"
"I've had better mornings," she said with a weak smile.
"Don't joke like that."
"I'm serious," Tina said. "They said no broken bones, but I feel shaken."
"Who would want to hurt you?" he asked.
"I don't know," she said. "But it felt... like a warning."
Liam clenched his fists. "Clark."
Kate stepped in. "That's what I thought."
Tina looked between them. "What if it wasn't about me? What if it was about you, Liam?"
Liam sat down. "That's worse."
Kate took a deep breath. "We all need to be careful. Starting now."
---
Later that evening, Kate returned to the mansion. Her heart was still racing. She found William in his study, as usual, his head buried in files.
"William," she said firmly.
He looked up. "Yes?"
"We need to talk."
He closed the file slowly. "About what?"
"About you," she said. "About this hot-and-cold thing you do. One minute you're close to me, the next you're shutting me out. What's going on?"
William didn't answer.
Kate stepped closer. "You told me to trust you. But how can I, when you won't even let me in?"
He Still keeps quiet, and works in silence.
She shook her head. "You don't even ask how I feel. You don't tell me what you're thinking. You just shut me out."
William stood, but said nothing.
"Say something," Kate whispered. "Anything."
He opened his mouth and Closed it. He turned away.
Kate's voice cracked. "Why won't you talk to me?"
"I can't," William said quietly.
"Why not?"
"Because if I say it out loud," he said, "everything falls apart."
Kate stared at his back. "So you'd rather push me away? Let me suffer in silence while you play protector from the shadows?"
William finally turned, his eyes dark. "I'm trying to keep you safe."
"From what?"
"From me," he said.
Kate blinked. "You think you're the danger?"
"You don't know what I've done. What I'm capable of doing."
She stepped forward. "Then tell me."
"I can't."
"Then we're done standing in the same house pretending to be married. Because this isn't love, William. It's punishment."
William looked at her, pain flickering in his eyes, but still... he said nothing.
Kate turned and walked away, each step heavy with the weight of unspoken words.
Kate stepped out of the room, her chest heaving. She was done with silence. Done with confusion. As she reached the stairs, she stopped. Her hands trembled. She turned back and marched into William's study again. He was pouring himself a drink.
"Don't you walk away from me like that, William," she snapped.
He didn't turn. "Kate—"
"No. Don't give me that quiet voice," she said, storming in. "I am not scared of your silence anymore. If you want me to leave, just say it."
William turned slowly, glass in hand. "I never asked you to leave."
"But you won't let me stay either!" Kate shouted. "You treat me like I'm here but not wanted. Like I'm temporary. What is it? Why can't you open up to me?"
William swallowed hard. "Because the moment I do... you'll hate me."
"Let me decide that!"
"It's not that simple."
"Yes, it is!" she stepped closer. "Tell me the truth, William. Do you love me? Or am I just a shield against your enemies?"
William looked at her. His jaw clenched. "I care about you, Kate."
"That's not what I asked!"
He slammed the glass on the desk. "I don't know what love feels like anymore!"
Kate froze.
"I don't know what's real and what's not," he continued, his voice breaking. "I don't trust anyone. Not even myself."
"But you married me," she whispered.
"I did, Because I thought it would fix things. Business. Reputation. Control. But it's only gotten worse."
Kate's eyes glistened. "You think I don't know that? You think I don't feel the weight of this silence? You push me out, William. Every damn time. And I still stay."
"Then why are you complaining?" he said quietly.
Kate's voice broke. "Because it hurts. And I can't keep bleeding for someone who won't even hold the wound."
William stared at her, eyes cold but lost.
"I'm tired, William," she said. "Tired of pretending this is a marriage. Tired of pretending I'm not scared. Not lonely. Not angry."
He said nothing.
"You don't have to love me. But at least be honest with me."
He turned away again.
Kate nodded slowly. "Okay. I get it."
"Where are you going?" William asked without turning.
"To be with someone who can at least talk to me," she said.
He looked over his shoulder. "Liam?"
"No. Myself," she said. "Because right now, I feel more like a stranger in my own skin than your wife."
She left the study, slamming the door behind her.
---
At the hospital, Tina stared out the window. Liam stood at the foot of her bed.
"You're quiet," she said.
"So are you," Liam replied.
"You're not even going to ask if I'm okay?"
"I asked already. You said yes."
Tina sighed. "So now what? You just show up when I'm hurt and vanish when I need you?"
"That's not fair."
"No, Liam. What's not fair is me getting hit by a bike while your mouth is zipped shut."
"You think I planned it?"
"I don't know what to think anymore," she snapped.
Liam rubbed his temples. "Tina, someone's targeting people close to me. First Kate, now you."
"Oh, so now I'm close to you again?"
"You've always been close," he said, voice low. "That's why I can't think straight."
Tina looked at him. "Then why do you keep pushing me away?"
"Because I don't want you involved in this mess."
"But I am involved. I got hit. Doesn't get more involved than that."
Liam sat down beside her. "You make me weak, Tina."
She blinked. "What?"
"You make me forget the rules. The mission. Everything. When I'm with you, I just want peace. And that's dangerous."
Tina held his gaze. "So I'm the problem?"
"No," he said. "You're the reason I want to live."
Tina swallowed. "Then act like it, Liam. I'm not asking you to be perfect. I just want you to be real."
Liam reached out and held her hand. "I'm sorry."
"Don't just say it. Show it."
He nodded slowly. "I will."
---
Later that night, William stood on the balcony alone, looking out over the city. The phone in his hand vibrated. It was Liam.
"Talk to me," William said.
"It's worse," Liam said. "Someone sent a message. Hitting Tina like that wasn't just random."
William's jaw tightened. "Clark."
"I think so."
"I'll handle him."
"You sure? Because he's getting desperate."
"I said I'll handle it," William growled.
Liam paused. "How's Kate?"
William's silence was the answer.
"You should talk to her."
"I can't right now."
"She needs you."
William hung up.
He closed his eyes, thinking of Kate's words, her anger, her pain. And for the first time in a long time, he felt something burning in his chest.
He felt Regret.