Chapter 104: I won’t be cruel to you

That same night, after Dr. Dylan made sure Alyssa’s vitals were strong and her stab wound was completely healed, Dorian took her home.

André arrived to pick them up in the limousine. Anthony and Pandora rode in the second car, and by the time the small convoy pulled away from the hospital, it was half past nine.

Alyssa was silent for most of the journey. She sat curled up beside Dorian, her legs cradled on his lap, his thumb gently stroking her skin.

Then she raised her head and looked at him. "I’ve been meaning to ask you something, Dorian."

Dorian turned his full attention to her, a soft frown knitting his brows. "What is it, my love?"

"How did you know I was missing? How were you able to tell it was Pilate hiding behind my face?"

"It’s a long story," Dorian said. He proceeded to tell her everything that had happened; from Pilate knocking Samantha out, then Pandora, and the rest of the events that followed.

When Alyssa heard Samantha’s twin brother was dead, her heart broke. It didn’t matter that Samantha had been cruel to her. Losing a sibling, a twin at that, was one of the worst pains anyone could ever experience.

"I kinda feel bad for her," she said.

Dorian looked at her in surprise. "She tried to kill you, Alyssa. She hired an assassin to kidnap you. She doesn’t deserve your sympathy. How can you feel bad for her?"

Alyssa shrugged lightly. "Well, you have to be greater than your enemies. Besides, she told you about Pilate, right? She could have kept it to herself, but she didn’t. Perhaps there is a little good in her."

"Don’t be too trusting, little lamb," Dorian murmured. "Not everyone has good in them. The most innocent-looking person might turn out to be the most evil if you’re not careful. Never trust anyone blindly."

She nodded slowly. "I won’t."

Dorian slowly brought her hand to his lips and pressed soft kisses to her knuckles. "When we get home, there’s something I need to tell you. Something I discussed with Dr. Dylan."

Her curiosity piqued instantly. "Is it about me?"

Dorian nodded. "Yes, it is. But not here, because I want it to be between the two of us."

"You’re scaring me," she said. "Is it something bad?"

Dorian chuckled and shook his head. "Don’t be scared. It’s not bad. Just wait until we get home, okay?"

"Okay," she nodded again, and the rest of the drive continued in comfortable silence. By the time André pulled into the driveway of the mansion, the time was exactly 10 PM.

Dorian helped her out of the car. He hovered around her, his arm gentle around her waist as he led her toward the front entrance. The front door burst open and Henna ran out, her eyes glistening with tears.

She threw her arms around Alyssa and embraced her tightly.

"Thank the goddess you’re okay," she whispered. "I badly wanted to stay with you at the hospital, but Jake wouldn’t let me."

She pulled back and held Alyssa’s face. "How do you feel? Any pain?"

"I’m fine, Henna," Alyssa smiled reassuringly. "Truly, I am. The doctor said it was safe for me to return home. How are you?"

"I’m much better now that you’re here," Henna beamed. "Everyone has been so worried."

The second car carrying Anthony and Pandora pulled into the driveway. They stepped out, while Jake, Alec, and a few other guards joined them, hovering around Alyssa and thanking the goddess she was safe.

"Okay, that’s enough for tonight," Dorian cut in, putting an end to their endless questions. "It’s late. Alyssa needs to rest."

The group reluctantly dispersed slowly, Anthony and Pandora heading inside while the perimeter guards resumed their nightly patrol.

Henna hugged Alyssa one last time. "I’ll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Henna."

Jake nudged his mate toward the house, both offering final goodnights. Once the driveway cleared, Dorian pulled Alyssa close and led her toward the front door.

But halfway to the threshold, a flash of movement at the corner of the mansion caught her attention. She turned, realizing it was Samantha.

Even from that distance, Samantha’s shoulders were slouched under a heavy weight, her eyes raw with grief. Alyssa knew that the severed twin bond meant weeks of physical and emotional agony for her.

She looked up at Dorian with a tentative smile. Before she could speak, he read her mind.

"No," he said flatly, shaking his head. "Don’t even think about it."

"It will only be for a minute, Dorian," she pressed gently. "I just want to offer my condolences."

"Trust me, my love, Samantha doesn’t need your condolences. Don’t be fooled by her broken appearance. She’s still as proud and arrogant as ever."

"I know. But it would help my conscience. Besides, you’ll be right beside me. She won’t be able to hurt me. Please, Dorian. She’s in pain. No matter how cruel she is, she deserves a little sympathy."

Dorian let out a weary sigh and shook his head. "The world doesn’t deserve your kindness."

Alyssa’s smile lit up. She took his hand, gently tugging him toward the shadow of the building where Samantha sat.

As they approached, Samantha straightened, hurriedly wiping her eyes. That morning, she had met her father in secret, only for him to blame her for Seth’s death, calling her a useless disappointment and regretting her birth.

The rejection cut deep. All her life, she had tried to be the perfect daughter, the twin he could be proud of. But it turned out all her efforts were in vain. He would never see her anything more than a whore.

"Hello, Samantha," Alyssa said softly, stopping beside her. Dorian remained a few paces behind, close enough to intervene instantly, but far enough to grant her privacy.

Samantha snapped her gaze up, glaring first at Alyssa before cutting her eyes to Dorian. "What do you want?" she spat. "Have you come to gloat?"

"I’m not here to gloat," Alyssa replied gently. "I heard about your brother. I’m deeply sorry for your loss."

Samantha sneered, her voice laced with poison. "I don’t need your condolences, and I definitely don’t want your pity. It won’t bring Seth back!"

"I know it won’t, but it’s the right thing to offer," Alyssa said calmly. "Even after everything you’ve done to me, I won’t be cruel to you."

She turned to walk away, then hesitated. "And thank you, for telling Dorian about the shapeshifter. It allowed him to find me in time. You could have chosen to say nothing, but you did."

"I didn’t do it for you," Samantha muttered, looking away. "And I don’t want your thanks. So just leave me alone."

Alyssa sighed quietly and returned to Dorian’s side. As they walked back toward the front door, she realized something; Samantha wasn’t a villain. She was just broken, a victim of the cruel father who raised her.

She cast one final look at her before they stepped inside.

After they were gone, Samantha let out a deep sigh. She didn’t need Alyssa’s condolences, but deep down, she was somewhat grateful that someone cared enough to offer them.

Her phone buzzed in her hand, drawing her attention to the screen. It was a text from her father.

Without reading it, she deleted the text and shoved the phone aside. Then she raised her face to the sky and mourned the death of her twin brother.