Don't be surprised… I know it was you, Cathy."
Her voice was weak, almost breaking as she spoke.
"Thank you…" she added, choking slightly on her words.
For a moment, I said nothing. I just stood there, watching her carefully, trying to read every little expression on her face.
"You know," she continued slowly, "I already suspected Felix is not an ordinary person. But I still chose to stay with him because he showed me what true love feels like."
She paused, her gaze drifting away as if she was reliving everything all over again.
"I'm in love with him," she said softly. "But I acted based on my emotions because I was scared. I didn't want to become his weakness."
Her fingers clenched the bedsheet tightly.
"I left my father… the Don of the underworld. The head of the mafia. I left because I didn't want to be a burden to anyone."
My eyes narrowed slightly.
So this is the truth.
Judy… is the unknown daughter of the Don.
The same Don who controls the entire mafia network.
And unknowingly, Mr. Desmond… my so called father… had just created a bigger problem for himself.
"I ended up in the exact mess I tried to avoid," she continued, her voice shaking. "Felix's father will suffer for what he did."
There was determination in her eyes now. Pure, burning determination.
For a brief second, I was stunned.
Not because of her anger.
But because of how similar it felt.
Revenge.
It always starts like this.
I walked closer to her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She broke down almost immediately, tears streaming down her face as I pulled her into a hug.
I stayed like that with her until she calmed down.
"I'm sorry," she said after a while, pulling back slightly. "For speaking to you rudely before. I know you must have your reasons for not wanting anyone close to you."
I looked at her quietly.
"I promise," I said calmly, "when I'm ready… or when I'm done with everything I'm planning, I'll tell you."
She nodded slowly.
"But for now," I continued, "all I ask is one thing."
She looked up at me.
"Be loyal to this friendship."
Her eyes widened in shock.
Then suddenly, she hugged me tightly without caring about her injuries.
"I won't betray you," she said quickly. "Never."
She sniffled lightly before adding, "If only you knew… the only friend I ever had died saving me. You would understand how important friendship is to me."
I went silent for a moment.
It always comes with a story.
The soft ones… always carry the deepest scars.
It just depends on whether they choose to give up… or keep going.
Just like my mother.
Just like Melissa.
"I'm sorry my stepbrother isn't here," I said, breaking the silence.
She blinked in confusion.
"Wait… your stepbrother?"
I nodded.
"You mean… Dr. Felix?" she asked in shock.
"Yes."
Her mouth fell open slightly.
"No wonder… the resemblance," she muttered. "You both look alike. Especially your eyes. You definitely got that from your father… but your beauty is different. That must be from your mother."
I didn't deny it. I simply nodded.
"Wow… this is complicated," she said, letting out a small breath.
We talked for a while longer before I stood up to leave.
"I'll come back," I told her. "And when Felix is ready, he'll come too. But don't tell him I was the one who saved you."
She nodded.
"And you're safe here. My assistant will take care of everything."
With that, I left.
I flagged down a taxi and headed back to Mr. Desmond's apartment.
The moment I stepped out, the guards looked at me with confusion.
Of course they would.
Why would I leave with the driver… and come back alone like nothing happened?
Too bad for them.
They weren't smart enough to figure it out.
Unknown to them, I had already heard everything through my earpiece.
My so called father had ordered them to monitor me.
Pathetic.
As soon as I walked in, I saw him.
Fuming.
"How dare you leave with my driver and not come back with him?" he snapped.
I laughed lightly.
"I went to the restroom. When I got back, your driver was gone. Maybe you should check your CCTV cameras."
His expression darkened.
"Also," I added casually, "why are your men following me?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," he denied immediately.
I smiled.
"If you don't want to lose your men, you should tell them to stop."
Then I tapped my phone and sent him a video.
His expression changed instantly.
It was footage of the company he planned to acquire through bribery.
"I can release that anytime," I said calmly, blowing him a kiss before walking away.
Helpless.
That was exactly how he looked.
Back in my room, I changed my clothes and treated my wound again.
Not long after, a message came in.
Mr. handsome.
We should meet at the park.
I frowned slightly.
A park?
That was unexpected.
Just as I was about to reply, there was a knock on the door.
At the same time, another message came in on my second phone.
I walked to the door and opened it.
Felix.
We stared at each other for a moment.
No words.
Just understanding.
I stepped aside and let him in.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"I can't find Judy," he said, frustration evident in his voice. "I failed her."
He ran his hand through his hair.
"I hate that man… calling him my father."
His voice was filled with anger.
"If not for my mother's last wish, I would have killed him myself."
I leaned back slightly.
"Well, if you can't go against her wish… then find another way to make his life miserable."
He looked at me carefully.
"You wanted to use me to get closer to him, didn't you?" he said.
I didn't deny it.
"You can use me," he added. "Just tell me what to do."
I leaned closer and whispered the plan into his ear.
His expression changed instantly.
Excitement.
"Wow… little Cathy," he said with a smile. "You're really dangerous."
I said nothing.
He spent the next few minutes trying everything to track Judy's location.
Then suddenly, he looked at me.
"How did you find her location?"
"Mee J," I replied calmly.
He nodded slowly.
"Can you contact her again?"
"No. She only contacts people when she wants to."
He sighed.
"If my father gets to her first…"
He paused.
"He'll either force her to work for him… or kill her."
I stayed silent.
If only he knew.
Mee J…
Is standing right in front of him.
And if my so called father ever finds out…
Then the next person I kill…
Will be him.