Chapter 48: The Lady in Black
The calm after the storm didn't last long. Leo had only just begun to regain some semblance of peace in the sterile hospital room when the door swung open with authority, almost slamming against the wall. The sudden commotion made him flinch slightly, his still-healing chest reminding him of his vulnerability.
She entered like a force of nature. Dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit with diamond-studded cuffs and a platinum watch, her aura screamed wealth and danger. Her heels clicked sharply on the tiled floor as she strode toward Kai, who stood by Leo's side.
Without warning, the woman raised her hand and delivered a sharp slap across Kai's face. The sound echoed in the quiet room, leaving Leo wide-eyed and stunned.
"Kai!" the woman's voice was sharp, dripping with a mix of anger and disappointment. "What the hell were you thinking? How could you let this happen?"
Kai didn't flinch or react, his jaw tightening as he accepted the blow.
The woman turned to Leo, her expression softening as if flipping a switch. "Are you okay, sweetheart?" she asked, her tone suddenly maternal. She stepped closer, brushing her manicured fingers gently against his forehead. "Do you need anything? Water? Painkillers? Tell me, darling."
Leo stared at her, utterly confused. "I… I'm fine," he stammered, his voice still shaky. "Who—"
Before he could finish his question, Kai stepped in, grabbing the woman's arm firmly but not harshly. "We need to talk. Outside."
The woman's sharp gaze shifted back to him, and after a moment of silent tension, she nodded. "Fine." She turned back to Leo, giving him a small smile. "I'll be back in a minute, sweetheart. Rest."
As the door closed behind them, Leo let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. The tension in the air lingered, and his mind raced with questions.
Who was she?
---
Outside the room, Kai released her arm, his usual calm façade replaced by a simmering frustration. "What are you doing here, Celeste?"
The woman, Celeste, crossed her arms and arched an elegant brow. "What am I doing
here? I should be asking you