Reborn at a cost

Liana's POV

The hospital room felt like a bad dream that wouldn't end.

Everything was blindingly white. Beeping machines. The IV drip going drip-drip-drip like it was mocking my headache.

I stared at the woman in the suit who had just walked in. She closed the door with a soft click and sat in the chair by the bed like she owned the place.

She was pretty in that polished way, with dark hair in a neat bun, makeup perfect, suit tailored to show off curves without trying too hard. But her eyes were sharp. Too sharp for a doctor or nurse.

"I need to speak with you," she said. Voice crisp. Business-like."

I blinked. My head is still fuzzy from the faint.

"Speak about what? Who are you?"

She crossed her legs. Smiled. Not friendly.

"Elena. I work for Raphael Blackthorne."

My stomach flipped. Raphael.

She pulled out the photo from her bag. The one of me leaving the hotel at dawn. Rain. The coat was clutched tight. Shot from across the street.

She held it up.

"This you?" I snatched it from her hand.

"How did you get this?" She leaned back. "I searched for it. On his orders."

"Raphael's?"

She nodded. "He thought it was cute. A way to say he was thinking of you. Men are idiots sometimes."

I stared at her. "You're his....?"

"Executive assistant," she corrected. Her voice was sharp "I handle his schedule. His calls. His... flowers."

I leaned forward despite the headache.

"What do you want, Elena?"

She uncrossed her legs. Leaned in.

"To see what the fuss is about."

Fuss?

I raised an eyebrow. "Fuss?"

"Raphael's been... distracted. Since he met you. Skipping lunches. Canceling meetings. Worrying like a lovesick puppy. It's not like him."

I smiled. Slowly and teasingly.

"Jealous?"

She flinched. Just a little.

Bingo.

She recovered fast. And she laughed again.

"Of him? No. Of you? Maybe. He's a good man. Sweet. Kind. The kind who remembers your coffee order but forgets to tie his shoes."

I pictured him this morning. Blushing. Stumbling over words. "Yeah. He is."

She narrowed her eyes. "You don't deserve him."

I laughed, for real this time.

"Oh, honey. You came all the way here to tell me that?" She stood up. Paced the small room.

"He's a billionaire. CEO. He could have anyone. Models. Actresses. Women who know how to act in public. Not some data girl from a rival company who faints at work."

I swung my legs over the bed. I stood up slowly. The room tilted but I ignored it. "You mean women like you?"

She stopped pacing. Faced me.

"I've been with him for years. Handling everything. His life runs because of me."

I stepped closer. My voice low.

"Handling everything? Or just hoping?"

Her face turned red.

"You think you're special? One night in a cheap hotel?"

I grinned. "It wasn't cheap. And it wasn't just one night. He wants more. Dinners. Dates. The whole thing."

She stepped closer too. "He'll get bored. You're a distraction. A phase."

I tilted my head. "Jealousy looks good on you, Elena. Makes your eyes sparkle."

She huffed.

"You're crazy."

I winked.

"You have no idea."

She grabbed her bag.

"I'm warning you. Stay away from him."

I laughed again. "Or what? You'll send more flowers?"

She opened the door and turned back one last time.

"Or I'll make sure he sees who you really are."

She left.

The door clicked shut.

I sat back on the bed, my head spinning, not from the concussion. But from her.

Elena.

She is in love with Raphael, and now she sees me as the enemy.

I haven't even gone out with him properly.

The door opened again.

Who on earth is it again this time

I looked up.

Raphael.

His face was pale, and his eyes wide with fear.

"Liana-" He called out in that accent that I like so much.

He rushed to the bed, but before he could reach me, the door opened again, this time, it was Lucy.

Her eyes narrowed when she saw Raphael holding my shoulders.

"Liana, who is this?"

Before I could talk, Raphael spoke up, "I'm her boyfriend and who are you?"

My eyes widened as I turned to face him.

LWhat the hell?