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Suddenly, an announcer appears in the ring and announces both Hawk and Matteo. He even goes as far as to state the winner gets the girl. This gets the crowd excited, and more bets roll in as they face off. The announcer reminds them there are no rules and the fight won’t stop until one of them is TKO’d or yields to his opponent.
Matteo and Hawk circle each other and I can tell they’re talking, but I don’t know what they’re saying. They’re a match in size and muscle. Matteo must finally say something bad because Hawk swings first, causing blood to spray from Matteo’s mouth.
The fight goes on with each exchanging blows, but neither giving up even as they’re both covered in blood and sweat. Hawk’s brow is split making it hard to see as the blood trails into his eye, and Matteo’s nose and mouth are both split open as well.
Matteo glances at me and says one more thing to Hawk, causing him to land a blow to the side of his head that takes him down. I jump to my feet and cover mouth as Matteo lies there, not moving. The announcer finally counts down the time and declares Hawk the winner, saving me from an unwanted marriage and him and his family from being tied with the Leones in any way.
Instead of rushing to Hawk to celebrate, I climb into the ring and drop to my knees beside Matteo and flip him over to his back as Hawk’s chest heaves with rapid breaths. “What did you do?” I shout.
He backs up as he watches the scene below him. I check Matteo for a pulse, and he has one and it seems strong. Relief washes through me and I glance back at Angelica as she stares at me with rage. “Call an ambulance! He needs a hospital!” I shout at her, but Hart is already on it.
The crowd disperses as everyone collects their money and sirens can be heard echoing through the street. Once the paramedics arrive, I move back and let them work while the small crowd remaining watches. I glance in the back because I think I catch sight of Rocco, but his image vanishes so fast, I must’ve imagined it.
When I turn back around, Hawk is getting his wounds tended to while sitting on a stool by a man I don’t recognize. He won’t even glance at me.
I find Wren and ask her who he is. “He’s a doctor my grandfather apparently has on the payroll. They’ll have him fixed up in no time,” she says as she smiles softly.
“He won. You’re free,” she says as she grabs my hands.
“Yeah, I guess I am,” I reply without emotion.
I wait as the doctor finishes cleaning him up and then approach him. “You won,” I say quietly.
“I did,” he deadpans.
“I guess you know you’re not Ethan’s father?” I say as a question.
His brows shoot up. “Why would you say that? I just found out I am.”
My mouth drops. “Matteo told me…” I trail off not sure I understand.
“Matteo told you what?” he asks coldly.
“He did a test from Rocco’s DNA and said it came back without a doubt Rocco is his father,” I say.
“Mmm. He also said I don’t deserve you,” he says angrily.
“Is that what he said before you nearly killed him? You hit him really close to his temple, Hawk.”
His jaw works and I throw my hands up. “You know what? That’s fine. Maybe he’s right. Maybe you don’t deserve me if you believe anything Angelica has to say. Maybe you never did,” I say harshly.
I leave it that way as I march toward Hart. “Take me to my car, please,” I say to him.
“Okay,” he says before glancing over my shoulder, I assume at Hawk. Angelica steps in front of me as I make my way to the exit.
“I told you we needed a chance to be a family. We’ll get one now that you’re leaving,” she says sweetly. Ethan is nowhere in sight, but Kieran is. He watches the exchange through narrowed eyes.
“Congratulations. You won by lying. I don’t know how you tampered with the results, but I know you did, because Matteo did his own test without your knowledge and it showed Rocco is Ethan’s father. Enjoy living your lie, because one day it will come back to haunt you,” I say as I brush past her.
I stop in front of Kieran. “Go on, lie for her so your boss will be happy instead of your son.”
Hart trails behind me and helps me into his truck before driving me to the hotel.
I pack my stuff and get everything ready to check out in the morning. Hart had already checked out because he has to be back in Greendale Valley in the morning. He told me things would work out and to be careful coming home before he left. I appreciate his concern, but I’m glad to be on my own.
I called the hospital to check on Matteo and found out he has a concussion, but he’ll be fine. They’re just monitoring him overnight. Apparently, the Leones have someone who sweeps the details under the rug because no investigation or charges have been brought up.
It’s after midnight and I’m about to fall asleep when a knock sounds on my door. My heart leaps in my chest assuming it’s Hawk. He’s had a change of heart and knows the truth now. He’s here to apologize.
