Claire looked aghast. How could Victor want to speak to a woman who carried out the ultimate betrayal? Carol gave up the coordinates of the Thanatos mine to Victor's enemies. Monolith could never have completed their weapon if she hadn't given in.
The startling fact was she did it to save her rotten, undeserving family, who, in return, left her to die.
Because of Carol's selfish and foolish actions, a spectacular man like Victor was going to die. If it were up to Claire, she would file a manslaughter case against her.
Right now, she could only prevent the traitor from coming near the man. "But Victor… She-"
"Yeah, I know. Listen to me—Claire, Haley, and Julia. Return to Regal Rock and await my return. I will be discharged from the hospital shortly and be there in a few hours. I heard that the NWO members have planned a return party for me. Although, to be accurate, I'd say it would be more of a farewell party."
Claire burst into tears again and raced out of the room, unable to control her emotions. Haley exchanged sympathetic glances with Victor before leaving the room with Julia. His five-star generals also exited after paying their obeisances.
Only Carol and Victor were left in the private ward. The young woman's face was downcast, and her puffy eyes indicated she hadn't slept and had been crying for a while.
Carol walked towards Victor with small, hesitant steps until she was beside his bed. With tears in her eyes, the beauty extended a hand to touch his arm.
"No, don't…" Victor said sternly, pulling away from her.
Carol retracted her hand immediately. Her lips quivered in anguish. Did he hate her so much that even her touch repulsed him?
"I am so sorry, Victor…" she whimpered. "I don't expect you to forgive me… But if there is anything that I can do…"
"I bear you no ill will, Carol," came the sharp reply. "But don't expect me to be friendly with you all of a sudden. Don't seek my forgiveness to clear your guilty conscience. You betrayed me, and that too for worms like the Ateliers. That is a fact already set in stone. I'm never going to forgive you."
"It's okay," Carol said between sobs. "I deserve it."
Victor rolled his eyes impatiently. "Why have you come here, Carol? What else do you need from me? Wait, do you think I'll write you into my last will? That you'll inherit billions and become wealthy after my death?"
Carol's eyes widened in dismay. "How could you say that to me…?" she stammered. Her face reddened as fresh tears rolled down her eyes.
Victor scoffed. "Perhaps you gave the coordinates to Monolith expecting they'd let you go. You expected to profit from my death and inherit my money. Unfortunately, your plan backfired."
Carol pressed her hand against her chest and wept. "Please… No more… It hurts… Didn't our time together mean anything to you… I gave you my everything…"
Victor waved a dismissive hand. "Are you talking about the sex we had? Sure, the time was enjoyable, but what about it? As far as I can remember, I didn't force you into it. You were the initiator. Moreover, right after returning from Tuscan Hill, I had a hotter session with Claire. So forgive me if I award lower marks for your performance."
Carol looked scandalized, and something appeared to shatter in her mind. She shook her head speechlessly. The weeping woman tried to say something, but her voice was choked in sobs. Unable to take the emotional toll anymore, she ran out of the hospital.
Victor relaxed and laid back in his bed. He closed his eyes and sighed. The man had been intentionally brutal with Carol for her own good.
After Victor was gone, the young woman would likely blame herself for his death. It would affect her career, relationships, and permanent state of mind.
By being cruel and merciless right now, Victor had created hatred and disgust in Carol's mind. That inception would help her forget him and move on.
***
Carol staggered into the streets, clutching at her heart. The pain she felt was nothing like she had ever experienced in her life.
The sky was overcast, casting a blanket of gloom over Springfield. Instead of taking the company car, Carol took to the pavements on foot.
As she trudged on, she felt drops of rain patter against her skin. The drizzle soon turned into torrential rain.
Carol was drenched, but she kept walking, reliving the moments with Victor. The first time they met, their wedding, their fights, the divorce. The number of times Victor appeared to her as Caesar. When he saved her from Monolith's bomb. The glorious lovemaking. And finally, the last encounter when he rejected and humiliated her.
Warm tears cascaded down her eyes, but the cold rain washed them away.
Carol didn't want to return to the Atelier mansion. After an hour of walking in the rain, she reached Regal Rock. The guards were surprised to see her in that condition. They let her in and showed her to a room.
Carol had a warm shower and returned to see fresh clothes and hot soup waiting for her. The villa's staff were exceptionally well-trained and efficient.
There was an invitation to a return party for Victor. Carol decided not to attend. Her presence would only make things worse.
The beauty tried to have the soup but wasn't really hungry. She went to bed early, lost in her bitter thoughts.
"I know Victor better than anybody else. He is kind and sensible."
"Maybe he was mad at me just after waking up in the hospital."
"Perhaps his mood will be better in the morning. I'm sure he'll talk to me then and forgive me."
Carol spoke to herself for a long time into the night before falling asleep. She dreamt of a happy world—Victor and her were married and had two kids—a boy and a girl. They lived in a beautiful house in the country, surrounded by nature-
Ringggg! The villa's breakfast alarm woke up Carol. She woke up and stretched with a smile on her lips. The dream was cobwebs of wonder. Perhaps all the horrible things happening was just a waking nightmare. Soon, Victor would recover from his ailments. He would forgive her, and things would go back to normal.
With an optimistic attitude, Carol got off her bed. She noticed an envelope slid under the door. An invitation for another party? Did that mean Victor had gotten better?
The beauty picked up the envelope cheerfully, sliced it open, and found an invitation inside.
"Passed away in the twilight hours of last night," Carol read aloud, as an avalanche of grief swept over her heart.
"In loving memory…"
{ VICTOR EDGAR DAMONE }
"Please join us as we say goodbye… to a loving leader and friend…"
Carol's lips parted to let out a wail of anguish. It was an invitation to attend Victor's funeral!