Elena's POV
"Why didn't you tell me?"
The words tore out of me, even though I knew he couldn't hear them. My hands clenched into fists as tears spilled uncontrollably.
"You knew everything about who I am… and yet—" My voice broke, dissolving into sobs. "Why didn't you tell me?! Why?!"
I screamed the question into the air. My chest heaved as the lights around us flickered violently.
"You knew everything!" I cried. "So why did you still hide it from me? Answer me!"
My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the cold floor, anger and grief crashing over me all at once. He had known who I was. He had known all along. And still—he lied.
"Did you hide it because you knew I was the enemy's daughter?" I shouted. "Because you found out my father was the one you were trying to put behind bars?! I didn't care!" I struck his arm in frustration. "You should've told me! I would have accepted it—eventually. But why hide it from me?"
I stood and grabbed his hand.
"Was it because… you couldn't accept me?" My voice trembled. "Because you couldn't accept who I really am?"
The question sounded foolish even to me, especially when there was no answer.
"Wake up and explain everything to me!" I sobbed.
I wiped my tears away harshly and turned toward the door. Before leaving, I looked back at his unconscious face—peaceful, unaware. My gaze dropped to his hand.
The ring was gone.
I would find it.
I stepped outside and searched for Jam, who had gone out earlier to take a call. He still hadn't returned.
Growing restless, I waited a few more minutes before heading up to the hospital rooftop. I needed air. I needed to breathe.
It was two in the morning.
I sat against the wall, staring up at the dark sky, tears silently trailing down my face. Exhaustion eventually overtook me.
Then—
Gunshots.
I jolted awake.
I was no longer on the rooftop.
I stood abruptly, heart racing, only to realize I was holding a gun.
"Elena! Focus!"
I turned toward the man behind me, frowning.
I recognized him.
He was in the photograph.
Jhon Eron Madrigal.
My brother.
I stared at him for too long, enough for him to notice. He snapped me back to reality by flicking my forehead hard.
"Ow!" I complained.
"Ow?" he scoffed. "I told you to focus. Look—you didn't hit a single target."
I glanced at the cans lined up in the distance, then back at the gun shaking in my hands.
"Hurry up," he ordered impatiently.
My hands trembled as I raised the gun and aimed. When I pulled the trigger, the sound exploded through the air, startling me.
"Good. Again," he said.
"W-what?" I muttered.
"What do you mean 'what'?" he snapped. "You're not thinking. Face forward."
Before either of us could react, someone shouted from afar.
"Elena!"
I froze.
The voice was familiar.
The man ran toward us at full speed. Eron merely whistled beside me.
"There goes your admirer again," he said casually. "I'll leave you two." He took the gun from my hands and walked away.
I stood there, stunned, until the man stopped in front of me.
"Elena? Are you okay?"
Why did he look exactly like Carlos?
Even his voice was the same.
"How is this possible…?"
"Leo," I whispered.
He smiled widely.
"Are you tired?" he asked gently.
I nodded without thinking. He guided me to sit on a wooden bench.
"I have a surprise for you," he said, eyes bright.
He pulled a small red box from his pocket.
When he opened it, my breath caught.
A ring.
"Do you like it?" he asked. "I designed it myself—for you."
My hands shook as I took it.
It was identical to the ring Carlos and I wore.
"Elena…"
I startled when he took my hand.
"I'll marry you," he promised. "I swear."
Suddenly, my chest tightened.
I couldn't breathe.
Pain crushed my lungs as I collapsed onto the grass, clutching my chest, gasping for air.
I woke up on the rooftop.
I was back.
Panting, clutching my chest, I leaned against the wall until my breathing finally steadied.
Then—
Chaos.
I heard shouting inside the hospital.
I rushed downstairs.
People were running.
My heart dropped when I saw Jam sprint toward Carlos's room.
I disappeared—and reappeared there instantly.
What I saw made me recoil.
Carlos lay sprawled on the cold floor, blood soaking his side, a stab wound in his abdomen and another across his neck.
"Jenna! Get here now! Santiago's been attacked!" Jam shouted into the phone as he pressed his hands against Carlos's wounds.
Doctors rushed in.
"Carlos, don't you dare die!" Jam yelled in fury.
I stumbled back, covering my mouth.
They did this.
I knew it.
Rage burned through me, fast and consuming. I turned and stormed out of the hospital.
I would find whoever did this.
I would kill him.
Outside, I spotted a man about to enter a white van—his hands still drenched in blood, a knife clutched in his grip.
My fury intensified.
He sped off.
I vanished—and appeared in the backseat.
My anger pulled me into my true form.
When he glanced at the rearview mirror and saw me, he slammed the brakes in terror.
I moved to the passenger seat.
When he turned, I made sure he saw me exactly as I was.
He screamed and bolted out of the vehicle.
"Elena?" he gasped.
He knew my name.
That confirmed it.
I stepped closer.
"N-no! You're dead! You're supposed to be dead!" he screamed before running.
I chased him until he tripped and fell.
The fear in his eyes was unmistakable.
"You should never have spoken my name," I said, my voice deep and unnatural.
I didn't care what monster he saw.
I was furious.
I grabbed his neck and lifted him off the ground with one hand, his feet dangling helplessly.
"L-let… go…" he choked, clawing at my grip.
"Sleep," I whispered coldly. "Forever."
I tightened my hold.
Black smoke poured from my body, forcing its way into his open mouth. His eyes turned completely black.
Then he stopped moving.
I released him.
His body hit the concrete with a sickening thud.
The moment I saw his lifeless eyes, I reverted back to myself.
I staggered backward, my hands trembling violently.
"N-no… I killed him…" I whispered, hollow and broken.