(Darius' POV)
The moment Ayra told me about Kyle's betrayal, something inside me snapped.
I clenched my fists so tightly my knuckles turned white, a storm of rage swirling in my chest.
I wanted to tear the hospital walls down, find Kyle, and make him pay.
My voice trembled, more from fury than weakness.
"Why, Ayra? Why would Kyle go that far? How the hell did he even get Nathaniel released?"
She looked at me with weary, tear-soaked eyes, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It was an inside job. He paid off some officers to do his dirty work."
"But why the hell does he want you dead? Aren't you supposed to be his prized trophy? At least till the wedding?"
Ayra shook her head.
"His real target wasn't me… it was my Nana. He knew she was the only family I had. If she was out of the picture, I'd have no one left. And with her gone…"
She paused, her voice trembling, then finished for me.
"He'd be my next of kin."
