There's no reaction from Cassidy.

Adrian is a fool standing by her bedside - the failure in a soap opera. His tears continue to stream down the sides of his face, a multitude of emotions rising up within him and clashing tides within his tumultuous heart. There is no response for what seems like an eternity.

That's until moments later.

It's there, just barely - a twitch of her fingers, tapping against his. Then, her hand, gripping his own - light, but it's there. Her hand in his, getting warm.

"Oh, Cassidy.

"

It's enough to make Adrian have a breakdown. Sighing in immense relief, he falls over Cassidy's form.

His hand pulls hers up to him before his lips start pressing kisses all over it - again and again and again. Against her fingers, against her knuckles.

Everyone around him also seems to rejoice, then. Comatose but responsive. She will pull through.

"Goodness, Cassie.

"

Asher steps forward.

His hand grasps her unattended one. The reaction is similar - a twitch, some sense of a response. He lets out a shaky breath of relief, and he bends forward to caress her head gently.

"You scared me there, I swear. But then again, you're the undying Cassie. You always make it through.

"

Adrian meets his gaze. Asher smiles at him and says,

"You did it, Adrian. You kept your promise. Thank you. You brought her back.

"

Adrian smiles a wobbly smile at that, still emotionally overwhelmed, and from thereon, he shares a moment of gratitude and relief with Asher.

---

"You know, it's such a pity.

"

Grisham laments when he hears the cell door open up. The light from the hall outside filters in - harsh and blinding. Adrian shows up together with Edward.

"We were close to winning.

"

"You miscalculated.

"

Adrian scowls at him as he walks into the cellar, his stature confident. Edward stands at his side, somewhat dutifully. Next to Grisham, there is Dylan.

"I should've killed that niece of mine when I had the chance,

" the latter muttered.

"Good observation...

" the former drawled, sarcastic - harsh.

"Why didn't you?

"

Dylan smirks, then - but his answer is no longer addressed to Grisham. Instead, his gaze steels resolutely on Adrian.

"She offered to lead the mafia for your sake, you know. How ironic, ain't it...?

" he said, almost triumphantly as though he had some form of power in this situation.

"She wanted so much to let you live - even volunteered to carry on the Eleanor's legacy in exchange for keeping you alive.

"

Adrian narrows his eyes at him but otherwise does not react. Dylan regards him in silence for a moment, his amused smirk turning haughty, before he continues,

"Cassidy could have made a fine leader, too. She just wasn't broken enough.

"

He grins this time - evil personified. The god of demons may be imprisoned in the ninth circle of hell, but nothing will ever stop him from corrupting even the purest thing on Earth.

"Tell me, boy. What would have broken her spirit? Should I have slit your throat right in front of her eyes? Should I have beheaded you, let her keep your corpse...?

" Dylan trailed off, pausing for an effect.

"Or maybe I could have let the guards have their way with her? She's a very beautiful woman, you know. Wonder what it would've been like to break her body the way we broke yours-

"

"Enough.

"

Adrian snarled at him, venom in his tone and rage in his eyes. His vexation is icy cold - the type that can freeze one's fingers off, the kind of frozen touch that can leave scathing burns on one's skin.

"Count yourself lucky that you did no such thing. My retribution today would have been far worse.

"

Grisham laughs, amused to see the monster he made let out his inner demons. Adrian has always been serious with his words, though not once has he regarded life-and-death matters to them.

"Is that a threat? Are you threatening us, grandson-

"

"There is no threat...

" he cut him off, answering plaintively and decisively.

"Whatever I will do to you will be done.

"

"What, then? You'll kill us? Have you finally grown a backbone, grandson?

"

"I won't kill you. You both still have to answer for your crimes in court. But know this - the electric chair is still waiting for your arse, Grisham Donovan.

"

He scoffs, still finding the situation amusing despite Adrian's threats. Since it's Grisham who raised him, he still feels like he has the upper hand.

"I may be dead to you, Adrian, but you forget...

" he taunted with a cold smile, becoming his reflection - he forgets, sometimes, that they're family members.

"Evil will never die. There will always be someone to take my place - to take yours. There is a reason we have survived for so many years. There are others, and they will come in time.

"

"I will be ready for them when they do,

" he swore, firm and determined, making him bark out a sharp breath of laughter.

"Oh, will you? And will Cassidy be ready for them? They know, Adrian. Everyone knows. You have made yourself a target. You have made her a target. One day, you will find her corpse on your doorstep.

"

Hesitance crosses Adrian's face - it is clear to all of them. Grisham bares his teeth, his predatory grin crowing at his small victory.

"He's lying...

" Edward cut in, sighing.

"All the loose ends have been tied. There's no one else.

"

"And how do you know that, Edward...?

" Grisham sneered, undeterred.

"You have no way of guaranteeing.

"

"We will be ready for them,

" Adrian repeated, his tone signaling the end of the discussion.

"Will you? I would've believed you, you know. You're growing up well. You would have become one of the finest leaders our family has ever had. Too bad you had the most pitiful weakness of them all.

"

Adrian flares up then, glaring daggers at Grisham.

He then draws out a knife from his suit. With a daunting expression, he points it at him and hisses underneath his breath,

"Call Cassidy a weakness again.I dare you.

"

"Oh? You'll kill us?

" Dylan ridiculed, unimpressed.

"Like I said. I won't.

"

Adrian takes a step forward, the knife still held in his hands. Its pointed edge glints menacingly - as though ready to do his bidding. With a tyrannical, malevolent look in his dark, narrowed eyes, he shifts his glare from Grisham to Dylan.

He has made up his mind, and this is his judgment.

"You hurt her...

" Adrian began again, a growl vibrating within his tenor.

"You could have wasted away in here until your trial date, but you put your blade right through her. You nearly killed her. You nearly killed Cassidy - and for that, I simply cannot stand aside.

"

"You wouldn't do it...

" Dylan griped.

"You wouldn't kill me.

"

Adrian smirks - dangerous, his intent fulfilled. He then prodded the blade in Dylan's direction.

"An eye for an eye, dear uncle-in-law.

"

He muttered that without remorse, and then, the blade was sliding through his body agonizingly - similar to the way it had slid through Cassidy. This gets Dylan crying out in pain and terror. Grisham can only observe in aghast shock and horror as blood sprays all around the cell.

For once, Adrian does not think his hands are stained.