Selene POV
We were hospitalized, and outside the hospital, reporters and Axel's fans gathered, eagerly waiting for updates on his condition. Many were praying for his recovery, their concern evident in the overwhelming crowd.
Axel was in the ICU. His wound had worsened after the rescue, becoming more severe than expected. His family was anxiously waiting for him to regain consciousness, and Cassandra was there as well.
As for me, I wasn't entirely unscathed. I had sustained injuries, including a fracture in my leg from the fall. I was admitted for three days, and my agency granted me a two-week rest period, recognizing my role in saving Axel. Meanwhile, the authorities had launched an investigation based on my statement, trying to piece together what had happened.
I knew no one was allowed inside the ICU, and standing there wouldn't change anything. Axel would be okay—he had to be. With that thought, I turned away and left for my apartment.
As I unlocked my apartment door, a strange emptiness settled in my chest. I should have felt relieved to be home, away from the chaos, but instead, an unsettling restlessness gnawed at me.
I sank onto the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling. My body ached, my leg throbbed from the fracture, but none of it compared to the unease twisting inside me. I had spent days in that forest, fighting to keep Axel alive, pushing past every limit for him. And now, I was supposed to just… rest?
The thought made me scoff. How could I rest when I knew he was lying in that hospital bed, battling a fever that had nearly taken him from me?
My phone buzzed, breaking my thoughts. I snatched it up, my heart pounding—was it news about Axel? But when I saw the screen, my brows furrowed.
Unknown Number.
I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Hello?" My voice was hoarse, exhausted.
There was a brief pause before a familiar voice sliced through the silence. Cassandra.
"You finally picked up," she said, her tone laced with irritation.
I sat up straighter, my grip tightening around the phone. "How did you get my number?"
She ignored my question. "I just wanted to remind you of something, Selene." Her voice was cold, sharp.
I stayed silent, waiting.
"Axel is mine," she continued. "Whatever happened between you two out there, don't let it get to your head. You were just doing your job."
Something in me snapped. After everything I had been through—after nearly dying, after fighting every second to keep Axel breathing—this woman had the audacity to call and claim him like a prize?
I let out a bitter laugh. "You're right, Cassandra. I was just doing my job. And do you know what that job was? Keeping him alive while he fought for every breath in that damn forest."
Silence.
I took a shaky breath, forcing myself to calm down. "I don't need to remind you who Axel belongs to," I said, my voice quieter but firm.
And with that, I ended the call.
I let the phone fall from my hands, pressing my fingers against my temples. What the hell was happening to me? Why did her words affect me so much?
I told myself I was just exhausted. That I was just angry.
But deep down, I knew the truth.
I wasn't just worried about Axel as a client.
I cared—more than I should.
Cassandra's POV
As Axel's eyes fluttered open, I leaned in, expecting him to look at me first. To ask for me.
But his hoarse voice shattered that hope.
"Selene…" His lips barely moved, but the name came out clear. "Where is she? Is she okay?"
I stiffened. My nails dug into my palm as I forced a smile. "Axel, you need to rest—"
But before I could finish, his eyes rolled back, and he blacked out again.
Fury burned in my chest. Selerne. Even in his weakest moment, all he cared about was that damn bodyguard. Not me. Not his fiancée.
I pulled out my phone and called her. Once. Twice. Again and again.
No answer.
My teeth clenched as I hit dial one last time.
Finally, she picked up. Her voice was tired, distant. "Hello?"
I didn't waste time. "He's mine," I spat.
"I don't need to remind you who Axel belongs to" she said
The line went dead.
My hand trembled as I lowered the phone. I hated her. I hated her more than anything.
I was Cassandra Davenport—a powerful business tycoon. I had the city at my feet.
And yet… the man I loved had asked for a mere bodyguard before even sparing me a glance.