“Mr. Lynn, you can’t stay by the incubator for too long. It’ll disturb the baby’s rest,” the nurse reminded.

“Let’s go,” Benny said. Oblivious to Jonathan’s simmering anger, he waved at the baby. “Hey, Rocky–Rock, your dad and I will come see you next time. You gotta be strong and get out of there soon!”

Soon, Gary came back with supplies. He’d bought antiseptic, gauze, and some diapers. When Benny saw him, he asked, “The hospital already has diapers. Why’d you buy antiseptic?”

“It’s for disinfecting Jonathan’s hands. I’m worried he might mess up his hands for good,” Gary replied.

“No way, he’s built tough,” Benny said.

“Where’s Felix?” Gary asked, wanting to go see the baby.

“He’s in the incubator and has to stay there for a week. Is his name really Felix?” Benny asked, a bit surprised.

“Of course, Hayden picked the name himself,” Gary replied.

Benny was just about to ask when Gary cut him off. “Hey, where’s Jonathan? Isn’t he here?” Gary asked, looking around.

“He was just here a moment ago,” Benny replied, frowning. Standing by the window, he glanced outside and noticed Jonathan’s car was gone. Benny’s heart skipped a beat. “Crap, this is bad. Something big is about to happen.”

“What’s going on?” Gary asked, looking confused.

“Jonathan must’ve gone to confront Yalena. Teresa’s still unconscious, and the baby’s in the incubator. This is bad. He might do something crazy,” Benny said, his voice trembling.

Gary frowned. “No way, he’s always got his head on straight. He wouldn’t be that impulsive.”

“He’s totally lost it right now. I’m telling you, right now, he’s capable of anything!” Benny insisted, his voice rising. If Jonathan really snapped and did something crazy, it was just not worth it.

Gary was getting nervous too. “Come on, let’s go find him.”

“One of us has to stay,” Benny cut in. “You stay here, I’ll go after him. If he comes back, call me right away.” He didn’t even finish his sentence before dashing out the door.

At a hotel under Horizon Lead Group, the atmosphere was tense. Inside one of the rooms, Yalena was tied up hand and foot, yelling at the men in black, demanding they let her go.

The men stood like statues, not budging an inch until a tall figure strode in. Only then did the men in black finally step aside. “Mr. Lynn, you’re here.”

“You can leave now,” Jonathan said coldly.

“Yes, sir,” the men replied, and then quickly left the room.

Yalena started to panic, staring at Jonathan, who now looked colder and more menacing than she’d ever seen. With a sharp crack, Jonathan smashed two ashtrays onto the floor, glass shards scattering everywhere.

Yalena was stunned, her eyes wide with fear. “Jonathan, what right do you have to grab me? What are you planning to do? If Dad finds out, he won’t let you get away with this. Ah!”

Before Yalena could finish her sentence, Jonathan yanked her and hurled her straight onto the shards of broken glass.

Yalena screamed in pain, but Jonathan remained utterly unmoved. He loomed over her, staring down with a cold, blank expression. “However much blood she lost, you’re going to lose the same amount today. That’s only fair.”

Yalena, unable to move, felt glass digging into her back and arms, blood oozing out as her face twisted in agony. She’d never suffered like this in her entire life.

“If you want to blame someone, blame your mom. She was the one who came begging at my house, asking me to marry you. And now you treat me like this? Fine. I won’t let Teresa’s brother off. Somebody help me!”

Suddenly, Jonathan seized Yalena by the throat, lifting her clean off the ground and pinning her against the wall. “Where is her brother?” Jonathan demanded.

Yalena started coughing, gasping for air. “If you… strangle me, Teresa’s brother dies. My dad is not someone you want to mess with…”

“You really think I’m afraid of the Kelly family?” Jonathan’s voice was icy, his words cutting straight to the bone. “Not a fan of this living hell, are you? Is this what your dad gave you the guts for?” Jonathan spat.

Yalena was struggling to breathe, her survival instincts kicking in as she desperately tried to pry Jonathan’s hand off her throat.

Jonathan’s grip only tightened. Images of Teresa still unconscious, her premature delivery, all that blood, and the tiny baby hooked up to tubes in the incubator flashed through his mind.

A murderous intent burned in his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to choke the life out of this woman.

Yalena’s legs started kicking and thrashing, struggling like someone drowning, as if she might suffocate at any second.

The door flew open. The scene of Jonathan choking Yalena was burned into Benny’s eyes the moment he rushed in. “Jonathan!” Benny shouted.

He strode over, voice urgent. “Calm down. You’re going to kill her. She’s not worth it. Think about your wife and your kid!”

Jonathan’s eyes flickered, but then, with an impatient shove, he flung Yalena away, sending her crashing once again onto the floor littered with broken glass.

Blood was streaming from Yalena’s body, staining her all over. Even though she was in agony, her screams had grown faint. She couldn’t even care about the pain anymore, just desperately gulping in fresh air.

Her face was already turning a ghastly bluish-purple. Her neck was ringed with horrific, purple bruises from being strangled. Those bruises looked like the marks of someone on the brink of death.

Benny didn’t even want to imagine it. If he’d been just a second later, Jonathan would have gone through with strangling Yalena.

He knew that after seeing Teresa lose so much blood and the premature baby, there was no way Jonathan could stay calm, let alone rational.

Jonathan’s eyes darkened, and he spoke each word with chilling finality. “She’s going to die today.”

“Even if she deserves to die, it shouldn’t be by your hands. If you kill her, you’ll destroy yourself. Don’t throw your life away over her!” Benny shouted.

“How the hell am I supposed to stay calm?” Jonathan roared.

“Damn it, Jonathan, think about Teresa. Think about your two kids!” Benny shot back, his voice shaking with anger. Furious, Benny swung and landed a punch right on Jonathan.

“What’s Teresa supposed to do if she wakes up and sees you like this? How is she supposed to raise the kids all by herself? And your two kids need you. We’re leaving now. Let’s go!” Benny yelled, practically dragging him.

Benny turned to Jonathan’s bodyguards. “Take Yalena to the hospital. After that, send her back to Nareigh right away.” With that, Benny quickly pushed Jonathan into the car and got them out of there as fast as he could.

They headed back to the postpartum care center. Teresa still hadn’t woken up. Benny pushed Jonathan into Teresa’s room and closed the door after him.

“Just stay here. Be by Teresa’s side. When she wakes up, you should be the first person she sees. That’s what matters most. Leave the rest to me. I’ll find her brother and make sure Yalena faces justice,” Benny said firmly.

Just then, Gary walked in. Benny waved him over. “You’re just in time. Don’t let Jonathan out of your sight. He’s totally lost it, not thinking straight at all. I’m not kidding, he could actually kill someone right now.”