"He owns shares in this hospital. One word from him, and we're finished."
The caregiver dropped to her knees, trembling, terrified of being held accountable.
"Mr. Delgado, please. Don't fight him."
Her pleas barely registered. My mind was stuck on loop: Bryce making a scene at the mourning hall, mocking the dead. A dark, suffocating rage expanded in my chest, impossible to suppress.
I took a taxi back to the villa. The moment I stepped out, thumping bass assaulted my ears. Laughter and music spilled from the house where I was supposed to be grieving.
"If Brandon's old man hadn't saved Sis, she never would've looked at him."
"I won't let her marry anyone else. She's mine!"
"First marriage, his mom dies. Second marriage, his dad dies. Let's see if he has the guts to try for a third!"
Bryce's arrogant voice scraped against my sanity like a jagged blade.
I kicked the front door open. Strode to the stereo. Cut the power. The silence was deafening.
I didn't say a word. Just walked up to Bryce and backhanded him across the face.
Smack.
He stumbled back, clutching his cheek. His delicate features twisted into disbelief.
"You hit me? No one has ever dared to touch me!"