Chapter 27
“Colen,” Camilla whispered, her voice trembling as she sat by his hospital bed, clutching his hand tightly. “You promised me you’d come back. You promised you’d be okay.” Her tears spilled freely, falling onto the stark white sheets. The rhythmic beep of the monitor was both a comfort and a torment.
Her mother placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, her own face etched with exhaustion and grief. “Camilla, you need to be strong–for him, for the baby,” she urged softly.
“How can I be strong when he’s lying here like this?” Camilla’s voice cracked, her gaze never leaving Colen’s face. “He didn’t deserve this. None of this
should‘ ve happened.”
Before her mother could respond, the door opened, and two of Colen‘ s trusted men stepped inside. Their somber expressions
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were tinged with a hint of relief.
“It’s over,” one of them said, breaking the heavy silence.
“We managed to track down Don Roberto and finally killed him. His group has been completely taken down. They won’t be a threat anymore.”
Camilla sat up straighter, her emotions in turmoil. Relief flickered briefly before it was swallowed by a wave of bitterness.
“And what does that mean for Colen?” she snapped. “It doesn’t change the fact that he’s still here–still fighting for his life.”
Her mother gently squeezed her shoulder.
“Camilla, at least it’s one less danger. You can focus on him now, on helping him heal.”
Camilla’s frustration boiled over. “What matters is Colen waking up,” she said coldly. “Don Roberto being gone doesn’t bring him back.” She looked back at
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Colen, her voice softening. “He has to
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wake up.”
Her mother leaned down, wrapping an arm around her.
“Give it time, Camilla. He’s strong. He’ll fight his way back to you.”
Camilla nodded, though her heart felt heavy with doubt. She pressed a kiss to Colen‘ s hand and whispered, “Please come back to me.”
As the men left, Camilla couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at her. Something still didn’t add up about the ambush. And until Colen opened his eyes, she wouldn’t
rest.
Jackson and Ridge approached Camilla, their faces etched with guilt. “We’re sorry for what happened,” Jackson began, his voice low.
“Sorry?” Camilla‘ s eyes burned with fury. “You think sorry will fix this? My father died because of you, and now
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Colen‘ s lying in a coma!”
Ridge tried to interject, but she cut him off.
“Don’t even start. You had a chance to
stop Roberto, but once again, you failed.” Her voice cracked, anger and pain spilling
over.
“Camilla, it wasn’t that simple,” Jackson said defensively.
“Katie–she-”
“Katie!” Camilla spat, her hatred flaring. “It’s always about Katie, isn’t it? Because of her stupidity, you couldn’t pull the trigger when it mattered most. You let Roberto slip away, and now look where we are!”
Jackson fell silent, his guilt evident.
“I will never forgive you,” she hissed, her voice cold and final. “If Colen doesn’t wake up, I swear I’ll make you and your precious Katie pay for everything.”
Her words cut deep, leaving Jackson and
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Ridge speechless. But Camilla didn’t care. Her hatred had solidified into a vow she intended to keep.
Katie seethed as she paced her small apartment. He’s alive. The news of Don Colen‘ s survival burned in her mind. She had aimed to kill him, to end him for good, but somehow he had survived her shot. Now, he was lying in a hospital bed, protected by guards and machines.
The Bloody Stag, her true mafia group, had been obliterated. Their attempt to take over the city had failed miserably, leaving Katie with nothing. Nothing but vengeance.
She glanced at the stolen scrubs and ID badge lying on the table. Everyone knew her face, so she couldn’t risk showing herself as she was. Pulling her hair into a tight bun and slipping on a surgical mask, she adjusted her disguise. She looked like just another doctor on a late–night shift.
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As she entered the hospital, her heart raced, but her expression stayed calm. Approaching Colen‘ s room, she spotted two bodyguards stationed at the door.
“Doctor on call,” she said briskly, holding up a clipboard she’d snagged from a nurse‘ s desk. “I need to check on the patient’s vitals.”
The guards eyed her for a moment, then nodded, stepping aside.
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Inside, the steady beeping of the machines
filled the room. Colen lay still, his face pale, his chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. Katie‘ s hands balled into fists.
Walking to his bedside, Katie studied the machines keeping Colen alive. Her fingers brushed the wires. “You should‘ ve died,” she muttered under her breath, her voice cold.
Just as she reached for the ventilator, a voice rang out behind her. “What are you doing?”
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Katie turned, masking her shock. “Just checking on his vitals,” she replied, her tone feigning professionalism.
Camilla stepped closer, suspicion in her eyes. “Let me see your ID.”
Katie hesitated, the brief pause giving her away. “I showed it to the guards.”
Camilla’s eyes narrowed as she studied the disguised figure. Realization dawned. “No, you’re not. Katie? It’s you! What are you doing? Help!”
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