Ivana's treatment commenced, and Beatrice and Keal anxiously awaited updates. Suddenly, Sofia stormed into the hospital, her voice piercing.
"What's he doing here?" Sofia shouted, pointing at Keal. "Why does he care if she dies? They're just business partners!"
Beatrice stood up to Sofia. "That's enough. This isn't the time."
Sofia's venom spewed forth. "Ivana's a slut! She seduces husbands, boyfriends... even on her deathbed, she's dragging him around!"
Keal's anger boiled over. He slapped Sofia twice, his voice low and menacing.
"What do we have, Sofia? You're just a distraction, a temporary escape. I'm fucking you to pass time. You're whoring yourself to me."
Sofia's face stung, tears welling. "How dare you!"
Beatrice intervened, separating Keal and Sofia. "Stop! This isn't helping Ivana."
A doctor emerged, concerned. "Please, keep noise down. Ivana's condition is critical."
Sofia's outburst reverberated through the hospital corridor. Keal's slap still lingered on her cheek, a harsh reminder of his disdain. Beatrice stood firm, shielding Ivana's hospital room from Sofia's venom.
"You're just a fool, Keal!" Sofia spat, tears streaming. "Blinded by Ivana's charms. She's manipulative, using her body to control men!"
Keal's expression turned glacial. "Enough, Sofia. Your jealousy is staggering."
Sofia's face contorted. "Jealousy? You're the one enthralled by her lies!"
Beatrice stepped forward, her voice firm. "Sofia, leave. Now."
A doctor emerged, concern etched on his face. "Ivana's condition stabilizes, but we must monitor her closely."
Beatrice exhaled relief. "Thank you, Doctor."
Ivana stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Grogginess clouded her mind.
"Beatrice?" Ivana whispered.
Beatrice smiled. "I'm here, Ivana. You're safe."
Ivana's gaze drifted to Keal, standing vigil.
Ivana's thoughts whirled: "Can I trust him? Or is he like Leo?"
Keal sensed her unease, his expression softening.
Sofia's voice pierced the hospital corridor. "You're still chasing after her, aren't you, Keal? Despite her manipulation!"
Keal's eyes narrowed. "Sofia, stop. Your jealousy is suffocating."
Sofia's face twisted. "Jealousy? You're blind to Ivana's games! She's using you, Keal!"
Beatrice intervened, firm. "Sofia, that's enough."
Sofia spun on Beatrice. "You're enabling her, Beatrice! Ivana's a toxic seductress!"
Keal's patience snapped. "Sofia, leave. Now. You're causing a scene."
Sofia sneered. "Or what, Keal? You'll slap me again? Abuse me like you did before?"
Keal's expression darkened. "That was a mistake. One I regret."
Sofia's voice rose. "You regret it? You regret me? I've given you everything, Keal!"
Keal's voice turned cold. "Everything? You've cost me colleagues, clients and my sanity. Your possessiveness suffocates me."
Sofia's eyes widened. "How dare you! I've loved you unconditionally!"
Keal's tone hardened. "Love? You call this love? Controlling, manipulating... that's not love, Sofia. Leave my life. I've had enough."
Sofia's face crumpled. "You'll regret this, Keal. I'll make sure Ivana pays."
Sofia stormed off, tears streaming. Keal watched, resolute.
Beatrice placed a comforting hand on Keal's shoulder. "You did what needed to be done."
Keal's gaze returned to Ivana's hospital room. His thoughts swirled;
"Ivana, I'm here for you."
Ivana stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Grogginess clouded her mind.
"Beatrice?" Ivana whispered.
Beatrice smiled. "I'm here, Ivana. You're safe."
Ivana's gaze drifted to Keal, standing vigil.
Ivana's thoughts whirled: "Can I trust him? Or is he like Leo?"
Keal sensed her unease, his expression softening.
Sofia seethed outside, plotting revenge.
Ivana lay in her hospital bed, surrounded by the beeping of machines and the antiseptic smell of the hospital. Her body still ached from the accident, but her spirits lifted whenever Keal visited. Today was no exception. Keal sat beside her, holding her hand, his eyes locked onto hers.
The next day, Ivana's parents, Liam and Emma, arrived at the hospital, concern etched on their faces.
"Ivana, sweetie, we're here for you," Emma said, embracing her daughter.
As Ivana's parents took care of her, Keal visited frequently, their bond strengthening. Elias accompanied Keal sometimes, and during these visits, he met Beatrice.
Within three weeks, Elias and Beatrice discovered a shared passion for art and music. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, and a romance blossomed.
"I'm glad we met, Beatrice," Elias said, smiling.
Beatrice's eyes sparkled. "Me too, Elias."
As Ivana recovered, her feelings for Keal deepened. She saw the genuine care in his eyes, the way he protected her.
"Keal, I..." Ivana whispered, her voice trembling.
Keal's eyes locked onto hers. "I'm here, Ivana. Forever."
Ivana's heart skipped a beat. Was she falling in love with Keal.
Sofia's anger simmered, fueled by rejection and humiliation. She vowed revenge against Keal and Ivana.
Sofia contacted Leo, Ivana's abusive ex. "We share a common enemy, Keal and Ivana."
Leo's interest piqued. "How can I help?"
Sofia smiled, sinister. "Together, we'll destroy them."
Leo's fixation on Ivana intensified. He began stalking her hospital room.
Keal, now vigilant, noticed Leo lurking. He alerted hospital security.
"Protect Ivana," Keal instructed. "Leo's a threat."
Leo evaded security, reaching Ivana's room. He found Beatrice, vigilant.
"Leave now, Leo," Beatrice warned.
Leo sneered. "You think you can stop me?"
Ivana, despite weakness, rallied. "Leo, leave. I'm done."
Leo's eyes blazed, but he retreated, for now.
Sofia watched from afar, calculating her next strike.
"Keal you will pay." Sofia whispered. "
Sofia hacked Keal's business accounts, sabotaging his reputation. She forged documents, implicating Keal in embezzlement.
Keal's assistant alerted him. "Sir, our accounts and stock are compromised!"
Keal's eyes narrowed. "Sofia's behind this."
Keal struggled to maintain composure. Sofia's vendetta threatened his business and relationships.
"Ivana, I'm sorry," Keal whispered, beside her hospital bed. "My past chaos is affecting you."
Ivana's hand found his. "We'll face it together."
Leo and Sofia converged, plotting destruction.
"We'll crush Keal and Ivana," Sofia vowed.
Leo smiled, menacing. "Ivana will pay for trying leaving me."
Keal rallied, determined to protect Ivana and clear his name.
"I won't let Sofia and Leo win," Keal resolved.
Beatrice stood by him. "We'll fight this together."
Ivana's recovery accelerated, fueled by Keal's support.
"Thank you, Keal," Ivana said, her voice stronger. "You've shown me love's true meaning."
Keal smiled, heartened.
Sofia's obsession with Keal consumed her. Her acting career, once thriving, now suffered as she fixated on destroying Keal's life.
"Why should Keal be happy with Ivana?" Sofia reasoned. "He's mine. I'll show him what it means to betray me."
Sofia's actress skills masked her true intentions. She manipulated Keal's business associates, spreading rumors and forging documents.
"Keal's embezzling," Sofia whispered to investors. "He's corrupt."
Keal's reputation crumbled.
Sofia's jealousy boiled over. She began stalking Ivana, eager to harm her.
"Ivana thinks she's won Keal's heart," Sofia seethed. "But I'll show her the true meaning of obsession."
Keal's empire teetered on collapse. His clients fled, believing Sofia's lies.
"Ivana, I'm losing everything," Keal confessed, despair creeping in.
Ivana's grip on his hand tightened. "We'll rebuild together."
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Sofia strode in, her actress charm replaced by venomous intent.
"Keal, darling, I see you're still wasting your time on this...thing," Sofia spat, her gaze raking over Ivana.
Ivana's eyes narrowed. "Sofia, leave."
Sofia sneered. "You think you can replace me, Ivana? You're nothing but a temporary distraction."
Keal's face darkened. "Sofia, that's enough."
Sofia continued, "Keal, you're blinded by her mediocrity. She's not worthy of you."
Ivana's anger boiled over. "How dare you!"
With lightning speed, Keal slapped Sofia, his eyes blazing. "Apologize."
Sofia's eyes widened, but before she could react, Ivana slapped her again, her palm stinging.
"Apologize for insulting me," Ivana demanded.
Sofia stumbled backward, shock and rage etched on her face. "You'll regret taking my man, Ivana. Mark my words."
Beatrice, standing guard, blocked Sofia's exit. "Leave now, Sofia. Don't come back."
Sofia stormed out, vowing revenge.
Sofia's madness intensified. She planned a dramatic confrontation, eager to destroy Keal and Ivana's bond.
Sofia's malicious rumors spread like wildfire, threatening Keal's reputation. However, as a shrewd businessman, Keal had built a fortress of trust with his clients.
Keal's office buzzed with anxiety. Employees whispered among themselves, concern etched on their faces.
"Sir, the rumors are spreading fast," his assistant warned.
Keal's expression remained calm, calculating. "We'll address this head-on."
Keal's clients, aware of his impeccable business record, stood by him.
"We trust Keal's integrity," said Rachel, a long-time client. "One rumor won't dismantle our faith."
Keal's business partners, aware of Sofia's vendetta, publicly supported him.
"Keal's reputation precedes him," said Mark, a partner. "We won't abandon him due to baseless accusations.
Keal's team sprang into action, combating the rumors.
"We're conducting an internal audit," Keal announced. "Transparency will silence doubters."
Renowned auditors scrutinized Keal's finances, uncovering Sofia's forgery.
"The allegations are false," the auditors declared. "Keal's business practices are impeccable."
Keal's clients and partners reaffirmed their trust. His company's stock rebounded, stronger than ever.
"Sofia's desperate attempt failed," Keal said, relieved. "Our foundation is unshakable."
Sofia seethed, her plan foiled. "How did he survive this?" she growled.
Leo, lurking in the shadows, whispered, "Target Ivana. Keal's weakness is his love for her."
Sofia's eyes sparkled with malice.