---- Chapter 9 After leaving Ethan, I went alone to St. Maria Hospital. I made quiet arrangements for my parents to be transferred. I was guiding my mother carefully down the corridor when fate played one of its cruel tricks. At the turn ahead, a familiar figure sent a jolt of cold through my veins. Ethan leaned casually against the wall, a lit cigar between his fingers, its smoke curling around him like a warning. His gaze locked on mine, coiling like a serpent. His voice came low, cold. "Where are you off to, my dear Joy?" My mother, seeing him, reacted like a lioness provoked. She struggled to stand, her voice ragged with fury. "Go away! You monster! Our lives are none of your business!" ---- "How much more do you want to ruin us? Get lost! " she spat. "Joy, why are you still tangled up with this devil?!" "Mom, it's not what you think-" I stammered, desperate to explain. But Ethan remained composed, calmly crushed the cigar underfoot, and disappeared down the hallway. Moments later, he returned-this time with a stack of papers in hand. "I've already paid for your mother's private care unit for the next twelve months. Your father's specialty treatment is scheduled for next Tuesday." He stepped closer, and I could feel the heat of his breath graze my cheek. "Stop fighting it, Joy. Your fate's already bound to mine. You'll never escape me." Achill swept over me. He wasn't going to let us go. I knew that now. ---- My nails dug into my palms as I tried to keep from shaking. Then, a broken scream tore through the hospital's quiet. Kevin stumbled in, reeking of cheap vodka. "Joy! Why didn't you answer me?! You just want me dead, don't you?!" he sobbed. "Please, I need money-right now!" Then he spotted Ethan and dropped to his knees with a thud. "Please, Ethan! They're gonna throw me into the blood pool!" Ethan's lips curled into a chilling smile. He leaned toward me, voice gentle. "Don't worry. I'll take care of everything." He snapped his fingers. Two towering men appeared, lifting Kevin and dragging him away. "T'll settle his debt," Ethan said casually, "and make sure he never forgets the price of gambling.