Rejected 99 Times, Chosen By The Mafia Don

Eliana's POV:

When I woke up, a harsh white light made me squint instinctively.

The sharp smell of antiseptic filled the air, leaving no doubt that I was in a hospital.

I lowered the hand I had raised to shield my eyes. My gaze swept across the room, taking in my surroundings until it landed on the man standing by the window.

The light from the window cast his figure in stark silhouette, the immaculate black suit outlining the commanding breadth of his shoulders and the restrained strength hidden beneath his frame.

A sudden tightness gripped my chest. I thought he was Lucas.

"Lucas..." I rasped, my voice rough and weak.

The man slowly turned at the sound of my voice.

The instant his face came into view, whatever I had been about to say died on my tongue. My eyes widened in surprise, my heart stopping for a beat.

It wasn't Lucas.

The man standing before me carried an icy presence.

His features were striking—piercing eyes beneath sharply defined brows, a nose with a high, sculpted bridge, and thin lips set in a firm line. He was tall.

He hadn't spoken a single word, yet the air around him felt heavy with authority—the kind of presence that came only from someone who had spent years standing at the top.

Recognition slammed into me so suddenly that my breath stalled in my chest.

He was Aidan Morgan—the older half-brother of Lucas, the man who now led the Morgan family, and the new Don whose name alone was enough to make others tremble.

I had only crossed paths with him twice in the past. And both encounters had been complete disasters.

The first time came at the request of his grandfather, Edwin Morgan. Following the old man's orders, Aidan had personally arrived to bring Lucas—the illegitimate grandson—back into the Morgan family.

Lucas had resisted with everything he had.

Aidan had brought dozens of armed men dressed in black, ready to take Lucas back by force if necessary. Desperate to protect Lucas, I had thrown myself at Aidan and sunk my teeth into his hand until I drew blood.

The second time was during the Morgan family's banquet, which was held to celebrate Lucas' return.

That night, I had gotten myself completely drunk while taking every drink that had been meant for Lucas. Later, barely aware of where I was, I had wandered into Aidan's private lounge, mistaking him for Lucas. I climbed straight onto his lap, wrapped my arms around his neck, and even tried to kiss him...

The memories rushed back all at once, and the embarrassment that tore through me felt almost more unbearable than the fever burning through my body.

Then, without warning, a glass of water appeared in front of me.

For a moment, I could only look at Aidan in confusion.

One of his eyebrows arched slightly. He held the glass in one hand while his other hand rested against my back, carefully supporting me as he helped me sit upright.

The warmth of his broad palm seeped through the thin hospital gown, spreading across my back.

Before I could even react, he brought the glass to my lips and let me drink.

"Thank you," I said after I finished.

The fog in my mind finally began to clear. The water eased the dryness in my throat, but I couldn't bring myself to look at him for long. After a brief hesitation, I asked, "Why are you here?"

"You called me," Aidan answered, his deep voice steady.

"I-I called you?" The words stumbled out of my mouth. I felt confused.

That couldn't be right. The last thing I remembered before losing consciousness was reaching for my phone and dialing Jenny's number.

I immediately grabbed my phone from the nightstand and opened my call history. The most recent number on the screen made my heart stop; it was indeed Aidan's.

My entire body stiffened for a second.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Morgan," I said quickly. Heat rushed to my face as embarrassment washed over me. My fingers clenched anxiously around the phone as I lowered my gaze. "I had a high fever and wasn't thinking clearly at that time. I must have accidentally called you. I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

Aidan nodded, his unreadable eyes never leaving me. "It's alright. Your health comes first."

I hesitated for a long moment before speaking again. "You came to my rescue, and I owe you for that. I'll find a way to repay you. Whatever you want, just tell me. If I can do it, I will."

"Really?" Aidan asked.

"Yeah." I raised my chin, holding his stare with every ounce of courage I could gather.

With one hand tucked into his pocket, Aidan leaned closer, and the space between us was suddenly filled with his scent.

For the briefest moment, I caught the faint trace of amusement hidden beneath the coldness in his eyes.

His tone dropped, each syllable carrying a weight that left no room for hesitation. "In that case, I want you to marry me."