THE DEVIL HERSELF
Chapter 54

Dracula was engrossed in a wrestling match on his phone, the volume turned low to avoid disturbing the tranquility of the hospital room. The rhythmic beeping of the monitors and the soft hum of the air conditioner provided a strange sense of calm amidst the chaos that had recently engulfed their lives. As he watched a particularly intense move on the screen, he heard a faint sound. At first, he thought it was part of the match, but then it repeated-soft, almost imperceptible. He glanced around the room, noting Tyler and Ryder's absence, and then his eyes fell on Diego. His eyelids were fluttering.

Dracula's heart leapt. He leaned in closer, holding his breath. "Diego? Can you hear me?” he whispered, his voice trembling with hope. There was no immediate response, but then, unmistakably, Diego's eyelids fluttered again, and this time, they slowly opened.

"Diego! You're awake!" Dracula exclaimed, his voice louder now. He quickly called for the doctors, who rushed in, checked Diego's vitals, and confirmed that he was now stable and out of danger. The news filled Dracula with a profound sense of relief and joy. Without wasting a moment, he called Scarlet.

When Scarlet arrived at the hospital, she was a whirlwind of emotion. She pushed past Dracula, her focus entirely on Diego. Her heart raced as she saw his eyes open, saw him sitting up slightly with the assistance of the hospital bed. "Diego!" she cried, tears streaming down her face. She rushed to his side and hugged him tightly, holding on as if she would never let go. The strength of her embrace, the warmth of her body against his, it all made Diego smile weakly. "I'm here, Scarlet," Diego whispered, his voice hoarse from disuse. He gently stroked her hair, his touch soft and comforting.

Scarlet pulled back slightly to look into his eyes. "I thought I'd lost you," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "I was so scared, Diego."

Diego smiled, a gentle and reassuring smile. "You'll never lose me, Scarlet. I'll always replace my way back to you."

Scarlet's heart swelled with emotion. She had been so close to losing him, and now, here he was, alive and with her. "Diego, I need to tell you something," she said, her voice trembling with the weight of her words. "I've realized something, and I can't keep it to myself any longer."

"What is it?" Diego asked, his eyes never leaving hers.

"I'm in love with you," Scarlet confessed. "I've tried to fight it, tried to keep my distance, but I can't. I love you, Diego."

Diego's eyes widened in surprise, but then a look of pure joy spread across his face. "Scarlet, I've loved you for so long," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "Hearing you say that... it means everything to me."

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Scarlet leaned in, their faces inches apart, and then they kissed. It was a tender, passionate kiss that spoke of all the love, fear, and hope they had held inside. In that moment, the world around them ceased to exist. It was just the two of them, lost in their love.

Dracula watched them, his heart shattering into a thousand pieces. He had hoped that Scarlet would finally see him, see his love for her. But as he watched her kiss Diego, he realized that his dreams were just that dreams. His last defense broke. Tears welled up in his eyes as he silently turned and walked out of the room.

Outside, he leaned against the wall, his body shaking with sobs. "Why can't you see me, Scarlet?" he whispered to the empty corridor. "Why can't you love me?"

His mind drifted back to Atlanta, to their childhood. He remembered the times they had spent together, the laughter they had shared. He had always been there for her, even after Diego left for his missions. He had stayed by her side, supported her, loved her in silence.

"I was always there for you, Scarlet," he said to the air, his voice filled with pain. "I was the one who held you when you cried, the one who picked you up when you fell. But you never saw me. You never saw my love."

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He remembered a particular day in Atlanta, a day that was etched into his memory. They had been playing in the park, running around and laughing. Scarlet had tripped and fallen, scraping her knee. He had rushed to her side, his heart aching at the sight of her tears. He had bandaged her knee and held her until she stopped crying. She had looked up at him with those big, beautiful eyes and smiled, and in that moment, he had known that he would do anything for her. But now, as he stood in the hospital corridor, he realized that his love was not enough. Scarlet had chosen Diego, just as she had always chosen Diego. "I can't let you go, Scarlet," he whispered, tears streaming down his face. "But I don't know how to hold on."

He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He couldn't let his emotions get the best of him. He had to be strong, had to replace a way to move forward. But as he wiped his tears and took a step forward, he knew that his heart would never fully heal. The love he felt for Scarlet was too deep, too consuming.

As he walked away from the hospital room, he felt a cold emptiness settle in his chest. He had lost her, and in losing her, he had lost a part of himself. But he couldn't let his sorrow show. He had to be strong, for the sake of the clan, for the sake of everyone who depended on him.

"Goodbye, Scarlet," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. "I hope you replace the happiness you deserve, even if it's not with me." With a heavy heart, he left the hospital, leaving behind the woman he loved and the brother who had knowingly taken her from him.