Taken By The Mafia Lord

["You're never going to change, it's your nature, mother. Going from bad to worse, that's just the way you are. Unfortunately, I'm sick and tired of being made promises only to break them and I get hurt in the end. I think it's better if we returned the way we were."]

Those words were fresh in Adele's mind and haunted her as she pushed through the door opening into the lobby and ran into the hospital like a mad woman. While she had been confident saying those words to her mother, she didn't feel the same now. If anything, terror clawed right into her, leaving her cold and trembling.

At first, it had seemed like a joke, like some prank when she had gotten that call that her mother was in her hospital. How could it be when she had seen her hours ago at her place and even promised her to stay safe? But that wasn't what she heard, right now, her mother was hanging on the precipice of life and death. Right now, death seems more likely.

Adele had worked with so many people and hence seen many deaths as well. But none had been close to her. No, she never made friends. Never let anyone get close enough to weave his or her way into her heart. Except for Elijah of course, and her mother, whose presence always lingered even though she tried to block her away.

She should hate the woman. After all, Angelica had sent her away to live with Benjamin and her crazy family. The woman was not there for her when she needed her the most, instead, the fear seized her so great that she found it hard to breathe. Because Adele just realized that this was her last living relative, her mother. She was the only one she had left. The only one on her side.

Adele came into the hallway where she spotted Elijah waiting outside the operating room. How is he here? However, that was the least of her problem because she read the notice that read, [Surgery In progress].

It became real to Adele.

"No… no…." Adele tried to walk to the door but Elijah was there to hold her back. She fought against him, "You don't understand, I have to go in…. I have to…."

Adele didn't realize when she broke down in tears. She didn't recognize herself begging and pleading with him to let her see her just once. The next, the both of them were on the floor with him holding her tight as she cried hard on his chest.

This was all her fault. Adele knew deep down that she cursed her mother. Hours ago, she wanted her gone from her life! Didn't want to see her anymore. Now that it actually happened, she didn't want her to go anymore. Adele remembered every one of her words. It was raw and pierced through her heart. The guilt was suffocating.

[I don't have a mother,"]

She recalled it. Religious people said there was power in spoken words and she just jinxed her luck.

Although a part of Adele comforted her, reminding her that she swore not to kick her out of her life in the end. But then, it was an excuse knowing deep down that she wouldn't have made it easy for Angelica. That was how she was, dark and twisted inside. She would have played on her guilt and perhaps, make her suffer a bit more before accepting her back into her life.

Perhaps, it would be a good thing if Angelica died. That way, she would be free of a daughter like her. She would be rid of her and find peace in the afterlife, not groveling at the feet of a daughter that doesn't deserve her. Adele cried till she wasn't capable of tears anymore and her voice was husky.

Minutes later, she was seated on the bench with Elijah, her head resting on his shoulder with his arm around her. While she would have resented his comfort the other times, Adele was just too tired to fight. Crying had drained the strength in her and to be honest, she craved his comfort.

Elijah already messed her up. In one word, if there was anyone that should see her in this state, it had to be him. He betrayed her. What's there to see again? There was no more pride to lift, just head lowered in shame. While she was curious why he was there, it dawned on her that this was Natalie's hospital and she must have called him to be here for her.

Adele did not know whether to be angry or thankful for Natalie's attempt at matchmaking. She just did not have the strength to think of anything else aside from her mother. Adele heard the details already from Elijah and it seems that her mother visited Daniel only to be caught in the crossfire when Richardo's people attacked.

Angelica had been hardly breathing when she was brought in and her eyes brimmed with bitter tears again. She warned her against Daniel but that stupid woman never listened, now look where that brought her. Adele was filled with fury when she thought about Daniel and hoped Richardo gave him the painful death he deserves. But then, Adele had a nagging feeling Richardo didn't take Daniel to kill him.

It took hours and the waiting was torturous for Adele. She just had to know whether her mother made it or not. So when the door to the surgery room finally opened, Adele was in Natalie's face before Elijah could even stop her.

"How is she?"

"Get a grip of yourself, Adele, she's alive."

Oh dear, Adele let out a relieved groan. There was still a chance to make it up to her. It was not yet over.

"But," Natalie said, and Adele's expression changed. The word, "but" has never been attributed to positivity.

"Angelica was shot in the back and left for dead. It is a miracle that she got to the hospital and got the surgery she needed to survive. But, she is now paralyzed and would be confined to a wheelchair. I'm saying that Angelica may never walk again."