Chapter 3
The sharp smell of antiseptic was the first thing that reached Aria’s nostrils.
She didn’t need to open her eyes to know she was in a hospital.
Since arriving in Chicago eight years ago and joining the Rivera family, she had pushed herself to the limit learning to shoot, living constantly in the line of fire to gain Knox’s father’s approval and help Knox secure his position within the family. She had become a frequent visitor to this hospital.
Her assistant, Riley, was keeping watch by her bedside. From her, Aria learned what had happened after she passed
out.
Knox had rushed her to the hospital, but shortly after, he received a call from Mila and hurriedly left.
“Aria, I swear that woman’s doing this on purpose! You should see her smug face–she doesn’t look like she’s dying at all. I bet she’s faking her illness!”
“I’m so tempted to put a bullet in her head!”
Compared to Riley’s outrage, Aria seemed remarkably calm.
“How are the arrangements for going back home coming along?” she asked.
Riley finally stopped cursing and replied, “Almost done. Dominic’s people are moving faster than expected. It
shouldn’t take a month.”
“Good,” Aria responded simply.
“Tell everyone who wants to leave with us to prepare early.”
[ust then, the hospital door swung open.
Knox stood in the doorway, his expression complex. Beside him stood Mila.
‘Leave? Aria, where are you planning to go?” he asked.
Aria remained composed. She just gave Knox a fleeting glance and said, “Nothing important. We were discussing our next delivery location.”
Knox didn’t press further.
He approached Aria, sighing softly,
“Why didn’t you tell me you were injured? The doctor says if your shoulder wound had been left untreated any longer, it could have caused permanent damage.”
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Bad Boy Mob Heir: I Was His Clone Now He’s My Punnet!
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Chapter 3
With that, he leaned down and gently embraced her.
“Baby, why do you always make me worry? Hmm?”
Empty words. Aria found them nauseating.
Her shoulder injury had been obvious. The only reason Knox hadn’t noticed for so long was simple: He didn’t care. He simply didn’t care if she was hurt.
So why put on this loving facade now?
Aría coldly pushed him away.
“I’m fine.”
Just then, Mila opened her thermos, offering it to Aria with a timid voice: “Aria, I was wrong yesterday. I didn’t
mean to upset you.”
‘This is chicken soup I made myself. I hope you don’t mind.”
Aria couldn’t be bothered with Mila’s performance, so she neither spoke nor accepted.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense.
Knox broke the silence.
‘Aria, don’t reject someone’s goodwill.”
Though his tone was calm, there was an unmistakable warning beneath it.
Thinking of her mother in the hospital bed, Aria had no choice but to reach out.
But just as her fingers were about to touch the thermos, Mila unexpectedly let go.
The scalding soup spilled completely over Aria’s injured shoulder. Cold sweat instantly broke out across her body as Aria bit back a cry of pain.
‘et Mila put on the most victimized expression imaginable. Her face turned pale as she stared at Aria, clearly outraged but too intimidated to speak her mind.
Aría… I truly wanted to apologize. Please don’t be angry.”
Before Aría could respond, Knox’s face darkened. He stepped forward and grabbed Aria’s hand in a vice–like grip.
Do you know how hard Mila worked to make this soup for you? She was in the kitchen since dawn. Is this how you reat her kindness?”
His face was stormy, his eyes like ice when he looked at Aria.
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Chapter 3
Being fixed with such a look, Aria even forgot the pain in her shoulder. She stammered, “I didn’t–she suddenly let go.”
But Knox merely laughed coldly.
“First you reject her kindness, now you’re blaming her? Aria, I’m truly disappointed in you.”
With that, he harshly released her hand.
“Apologize,” he demanded.
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