Seven

Daisy’s body tensed as she lay in the hospital bed, her mind swirling with thoughts that went far beyond her physical injuries. The accident on set had been no accident—she knew that much. It wasn’t a freak occurrence, but a calculated move. And she knew exactly who was behind it: Natalie.

Her dear friend, her supposed ally, had orchestrated the whole thing. Daisy had known for some time that Natalie wasn’t as innocent as she pretended to be. In her past life, she had been blind to it, blinded by trust and friendship. But now, after being given a second chance, Daisy saw through the facade. Natalie’s connections to the underworld were well-hidden, but Daisy had seen enough in her previous life to understand the dangers Natalie posed.

She clenched her fists under the blanket, the pain from her bruised ribs barely registering compared to the storm of emotions inside her. She couldn’t tell Louis or Liam—not yet. If she did, Natalie would strike harder. Her ties to the underworld meant she had resources at her disposal that could hurt Daisy’s family and everyone she loved. For now, Daisy had to play her cards carefully, even if it meant pretending not to know.

As she lay there, the door creaked open, and Louis stepped into the room. His presence was calming, yet today it also brought an edge of tension. He had been investigating the accident, determined to find out who was responsible. If only he knew the truth.

“Daisy,” he said softly, walking over to her side. His dark eyes were filled with concern, but beneath that, there was something else—determination. He wasn’t going to let this go. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay,” she said, managing a weak smile. The bruises and soreness still lingered, but they were nothing compared to the emotional burden she carried. “It could have been worse.”

Louis sat down beside her, taking her hand in his. “I’ve been looking into the accident,” he began, his voice low and steady. “I think someone tampered with the equipment. My team found out that the cables were replaced just before the scene, and the person responsible has disappeared.”

Daisy’s heart clenched. Of course the person had vanished—Natalie would have made sure of that. “Do you think it was deliberate?” she asked, feigning confusion. She had to keep playing her role. For now, she couldn’t let anyone know she was already aware of the truth.

Louis nodded, his expression darkening. “I do. And I’m not going to stop until I find out who did this.”

Daisy’s chest tightened. She wanted to tell him the truth, to confide in him, but she couldn’t. Not yet. Natalie was too dangerous. If Louis or Liam found out and tried to confront her, things could spiral out of control. Daisy had to protect them, even if it meant keeping this secret to herself.

“I trust you’ll find whoever’s responsible,” she said softly, squeezing his hand. “But right now, I just want to focus on getting better.”

Louis’s features softened as he looked at her, the intensity in his eyes fading slightly. “Of course. But I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again, Daisy. I promise.”

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Liam entered, his usual confident stride slightly faltering when he saw Daisy’s pale face. “Hey, sis,” he greeted, forcing a smile as he approached the bed. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m fine, Liam. You worry too much,” Daisy replied, her tone light, though she could see the worry in his eyes.

“Of course I’m worried. I just heard about the accident,” Liam said, his gaze briefly shifting to Louis before returning to Daisy. “I was going to stop by the set that day, but I got caught up in meetings. I can’t believe this happened.”

Daisy could hear the guilt in his voice. She shook her head, trying to ease his mind. “It wasn’t your fault, Liam. These things happen.”

Liam nodded, but she could tell he wasn’t fully convinced. Louis had likely already told him about the suspicious circumstances surrounding the accident, and Liam wasn’t the type to let things slide.

Just then, another knock sounded, and Natalie appeared in the doorway, her face a perfect mask of concern. Daisy’s stomach twisted at the sight of her.

“Daisy!” Natalie exclaimed, rushing over to her bedside with the same affectionate energy she always displayed. “I came as soon as I heard. Are you okay?”

Daisy forced a smile, trying to suppress the bitterness rising in her throat. “I’m fine, Nat. Just a little banged up, but I’ll recover.”

Natalie reached out and squeezed her hand, her expression one of pure worry. “Thank God. I was so scared when I heard what happened. I can’t believe something like that could happen on set. You could have been seriously hurt.”

Daisy kept her smile in place, but her mind was racing. The sheer audacity of Natalie to stand here, pretending to care, when she was the one who had orchestrated it all, made Daisy’s skin crawl. But she couldn’t let it show. Not yet.

Louis stood, watching the exchange between the two women with a slightly puzzled expression. He had always known Natalie to be Daisy’s closest friend, and he had no reason to suspect otherwise. “Natalie,” he greeted, nodding to her politely.

Natalie returned his greeting with a warm smile, though Daisy could see the calculating glint in her eyes. “Louis. I’m so glad you’re here. Daisy needs all the support she can get right now.”

Liam, oblivious to the tension that only Daisy could feel, chimed in, “Yeah, we’re all just glad you’re okay, sis. It’s a relief to know you’re on the mend.”

Daisy nodded, feeling the weight of the secret pressing down on her. She had to keep it together, for their sake. If they knew the truth, it would put them in danger, and she couldn’t bear that. Natalie was dangerous, but Daisy had lived this life before. She knew how to handle her.

As Natalie chatted with Liam and Louis, Daisy’s mind drifted to her next steps. She couldn’t afford to be careless anymore. The accident had been a warning, but it wouldn’t stop her. She had been given a second chance, and she wasn’t going to waste it.

She would continue to rise in her career, taking on the new international role that awaited her. It was her ticket to stardom, her way of proving to the world—and to herself—that she was more than the girl she used to be. But she would do it carefully, always keeping an eye on Natalie, always aware of the danger lurking just beneath the surface.

The visit wore on, and eventually, Natalie left, bidding them all goodbye with her usual sweetness. But as she walked out the door, Daisy’s gaze followed her, cold and calculating. Natalie may have fooled Louis and Liam, but not her. Not anymore.

As the door closed behind Natalie, Daisy’s heart hardened. She would deal with Natalie in time, but for now, she would play the game, just like Natalie was. And when the moment was right, she would strike.

But not yet.

Not yet.