h4Chapter 67: Growing Fears/h4

    The clean ck sedan glided smoothly along the winding roads leading away from the Vexley mansion, dark windows hiding its passengers from the afternoon sun. In the back seat, Eliana leaned into the leather, eyes fixed on the blur of manicuredwns and bursting gardens outside. They looked too perfect, too far removed from her own humble reality. Her mind was still tangled in everything that had just happened with Rafael, leaving her eyes distant and clouded.

    Up front, James kept his usual calm, his neatlybed dark hair and sses giving him that dependable, bookish air. Every now and then he checked the mirror, catching glimpses of her distant stare. He didn’t push, but the concern was there.

    The car was filled with the steady hum of the engine and the faint, expensive scent of polished leather. Outside, the sun zed hard, turning the road into a shimmering mirage. Finally, James cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

    "Hot one today, isn’t it, Miss Bet. Feels like summer’s jumped the line. Hard to believe we were still shivering in coats not too long ago."

    Eliana blinked, pulled from her reverie. She managed a small smile, her lips curving slightly as she turned toward him. "Yeah, it is hot. I didn’t expect it to feel this way so soon. What do you like to do in the summer, James? To beat the heat, I mean."

    James chuckled, adjusting his sses with one hand while keeping the other steady on the wheel. His smile lit up his face, making the frames only add to his charm. "Me? I’m not all thatplicated," he said, eyes glinting with quiet amusement. "Give me a weekend barbecue, music ying low, a good drink in hand, and I’m set. Or maybe a long drive down to the coast with the windows down—nothing beats the ocean breeze. What about you, Miss? You seem like the type who’d enjoy being out in the open, chasing a little adventure."

    To her own surprise, Eliana felt a warmth spread through her at the easy conversation. It was unexpected, this light banter with James, who had always seemed so formal. "I do love summer," she admitted, her voice softening with nostalgia. "Pics in the park, swimming in theke... My Papa and I used to pack sandwiches and spend the whole day out there. And my grandfather—he’d tell these ridiculous stories about his fishing adventures, half of them made up, I’m sure. We’dugh until our sides hurt."

    James nodded, his tone warm and engaging. "Sounds like good times. Family like that is priceless. Bet those stories had some tall tales in ’em—fish this big, right?" He held his hands apartically wide, mimicking an exaggerated catch, and Eliana couldn’t help but let out a genuineugh, light and melodic, cutting through the tension in her chest.

    "They did! He’d swear he once caught a trout that could sing opera." She giggled, but then her expression faltered, her curls falling over her shoulder as she looked down at her hands, twisting them in herp. "But... I can’t do any of that anymore. Not with Papa in the hospital, and Grandpa... he’s gone now. It’s just not the same. Summer feels empty without them."

    The car hit a gentle bump, and James’s face grew sympathetic in the mirror. "Ah, Miss Bet, don’t let that sadness weigh you down too heavy. Everything’s gonna be alright, you hear? Life has a way of turning around when you least expect it. Your father’s a fighter, from what I’ve seen. And those memories—they’re yours forever."

    Eliana sighed, her eyes glistening slightly. "I hope so. It’s just hard, you know? Seeing him like this. It makes me really sad, coupled with everything happeningtely... "

    James’s voice took on a more serious edge, his usual jovial demeanor shifting as he navigated a turn. "Listen, Miss... don’t hate Mr. Vexley too much for his attitude. He’s a tough nut to crack, that one. Finds it hard to trust folks, especially caregivers like yourself. You’ve barely settled in, and it’s been one thing after another—incidents left and right. But over the years, I’ve seen it all. So many caregivers havee and gone, and too many tried to... well, eliminate him. Poison in his food, tampering with his meds. It’s heartbreaking."

    Eliana’s breath caught, her warm brown skin paling slightly as she leaned forward. "Eliminate him? You mean... kill him? Why would anyone do that?"

    James nced back briefly, his eyes grave. "It’s the money, Miss. The inheritance. Mirabel Vexley—Rafael’s stepmother—she’s got her ws in deep. Always finds a way to turn those caregivers. Promises them a cut, I suppose, or threatens ’em. They end up betraying him in the most inhumane ways, all so she can snatch everything for herself and her kids. Greed turns people into monsters."

    Eliana’s heart pounded, a wave of nausea washing over her. She pressed a hand to her chest, her expressive eyes widening in horror. "I can’t believe it. My own... I mean, how could someone like her be so wicked? All because of money? It’s... it’s unthinkable."

    James nodded solemnly, oblivious to her slip. "Innocently enough, I’d say the one thing Mr. Vexley hates more than anything in this world is Mirabel Vexley and anyone close to her. Cuts deep, that betrayal. He’s built walls higher than this mansion’s gates because of it."

    Eliana’s heart skipped a beat, thudding erratically against her ribs. She swallowed hard, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Anyone close to her? What... what do you think he’d do if he found out someone was connected to her? Like, family or something?"

    James shrugged, his tone matter-of-fact. "Hard to say, Miss. But it wouldn’t be pretty. He’s ruthless when ites to protecting what’s his. Best not to dwell on hypotheticals, eh?"

    But Eliana couldn’t help it. Her mind raced, a storm of fear and realization crashing over her. iWhat would Rafael do if he knew I was Mirabel’s daughter? /iThe thought sent chills down her spine, her slender fingers gripping the seat edge. She understood even before now—she had to leave, to escape this tangled web before it ensnared herpletely. But how? Rafael’s iron grip on her life felt unbreakable, his wealth and influence a chain she couldn’t snap. The car fell into a contemtive silence as they approached the hospital, the weight of secrets pressing down like the heavy summer air.

    The hospital loomed ahead, a sprawling edifice of ss and marble that screamed luxury—far removed from the modest clinic where her father had been before. Palm trees lined the entrance, and valets in crisp uniforms hurried about, attending to sleek limousines. Eliana’s eyes widened as they pulled up. "This ce... it’s for extremely rich people. How am I ever going to pay Rafael back for all this? If he decides he wants the money..."

    James parked smoothly and turned to her with a reassuring smile. "Don’t fret about that now, Miss. I’ll give you some space to visit your father privately. Take your time—I’ll be right here when you’re ready."

    Eliana nodded gratefully, clutching the bouquet of vibrant flowers and the woven fruit basket James had thoughtfully prepared. She stepped out, the hot sun kissing her skin as she entered the cool, air-conditioned lobby. The interior was opulent—crystal chandeliers creating rainbows on polished floors, soft ssical music ying in the background, and nurses in designer scrubs gliding by with tablets in hand. It felt like a five-star resort, not a hospital.

    Her father’s room was on the upper floor, a suite more akin to a luxury hotel than a medical ward. Soft lighting bathed the space in a warm glow, with plush armchairs, a t-screen TV mounted on the wall, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking manicured gardens. Frank Bet sat propped up in bed, looking remarkably well—his cheeks had color, and his eyes lit up with joy as she entered.

    "Eliana! My girl, there you are!" Frank’s voice boomed with affection, his arms opening wide despite the IV line. He was a sturdy man but his face bore the lines of hardship softened by his kind nature.

    "Papa!" Eliana rushed to him, setting the basket and flowers on a side table before enveloping him in a gentle hug. His familiar scent of soap and faint cologne brought tears to her eyes. "I’ve missed you so much."

    Frank pulled back, his brow furrowing as he studied her face. "Missed me? Where’ve you been, sweetheart? It’s been a few days now—no visits, no calls. And what’s with this fancy new hospital? This ce looks like it costs more than our old supermarket!"

    Eliana hesitated, her heart aching at the concern in his voice. She busied herself arranging the flowers in a vase—vibrant lilies and roses filling the room with their sweet perfume—while avoiding his gaze. "I... I’ve been busy, Papa. With work. And Rafael—Mr. Vexley—he thought this ce would be better for you. Morefortable."

    Frank’s eyes narrowed, skepticism etching his features. "Busy, huh? Don’t let that man spend a fortune on me, Eliana. It’ll be a pain in the ass when hees knocking for his money back. I don’t ever want to be a burden to you— it’d break my heart into a million pieces if I became that. You’ve already sacrificed enough for this old man."

    Eliana forced a smile, her voice trembling slightly as she lied. "Papa, don’t worry. Rafael’s a good man. He promised me he wouldn’t ask for the money back. It’s all taken care of."

    Frank grunted, clearly unconvinced, but he let it slide with a sigh. "If you say so, kiddo. But I know a snake when I see one—rich folks don’t do favors without strings."

    They chatted for a while after that, the conversation flowing like old times. Frank regaled her with hospital gossip—the entric billionaire in the next suite who insisted on gourmet meals flown in from Paris—and Eliana shared light anecdotes about her "job," careful to skirt the truth. She arranged the fruit basket on his bedside table, peeling an orange for him and handing over slices with a teasing grin. "Eat up, Papa. These are supposed to be the best—James picked them out."

    Frank chuckled, juice dribbling down his chin. "James, eh? He has always been a stand-up guy."

    Eventually, Eliana kissed his forehead goodbye, promising to visit soon. "I love you, Papa. Get some rest."

    "Love you too, sweetheart. Stay safe out there."

    She slipped out of the room, herposure cracking as soon as the door clicked shut. Instead of seeking James, she wandered down a quiet corridor, finding a secluded alcove with a bench overlooking a serene fountain in the garden below. The weight of it all—Rafael’s mood swings, her mother’s betrayal, the lies to her father—knocked her down like a fast train. Eliana sank onto the bench, burying her face in her hands as sobs wracked her body, hot tears streaming down her cheeks.

    "Why is this happening to me? I just... I just want to be free." She whispered brokenly to herself, her shoulders shook violently, every breath hitching as though the world itself was sitting on her chest.

    But then, out of nowhere, footsteps approached, soft and measured. The quiet rhythm breaking through her spiral of despair.

    A deep, smooth voice followed, calm but edged with genuine concern. "Hey... are you alright? Here, take this."

    Eliana looked up through blurry eyes, her breath hitching as a handsome man extended a crisp white handkerchief. He was tall, with tousled brown hair, striking blue eyes, and a warm, concerned smile that lit up his chiseled features. But as recognition dawned, her eyes widened in shock, her mouth hanging open in disbelief.

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