Chapter 16

Emmanuel jolted awake, feeling like he'd just clawed his way out of a nightmare that went on forever. In that dream, Elena had been covered in blood, hair a mess, screaming at him, asking why he killed her. He wanted to explain—he really did. He never meant for her to end up on that operating table. He'd already found a donor. But the words just wouldn't come. He stood there, paralyzed, watching her blood pour out uncontrollably, and he couldn't do a damn thing to stop it. Then the sharp smell of disinfectant hit him hard, flooding his nose. That's when he knew—it was just a dream. He tried to sit up. Half-conscious, he suddenly caught a voice near him, low and menacing, but in the quiet room, he could hear every word. "Bald Bull, you better not push your luck. I've wired you enough money over the years, okay? What more do you want? Elena is already dead—I've got nothing left to fear. This is the last time I'm sending you cash. Don't even think about blackmailing me again!" It was Lili