click of the latch echoing in the quiet hallway. The soun

Sullivan's outstretched hand, his ex

even. He took a sip of the blac

the elevators, their footste

al murmur. "Who was that? Don't tell me you f

tor doors ahead. "A woman who drank too

an eyebrow. The elevator arrived with a soft chime, and they stepped inside, the

ounding. As her feet hit the floor, a sharp pain shot up from her right ankle. She win

She stared at her reflection in the mirror-smudged mascara, tangled hair, the faint imprint of a stranger's s

ace with handfuls of icy water, trying to w

ing them on with trembling hands. She didn't bother with her heels, carrying them a

ng. The city's noise was an assault on her senses. She raised

against the cracked vinyl seat, watching the city blur pas

was agonizing. Once inside, she stripped off her dress, which now smelled of a stranger's cologne and her

. It was clear she couldn't ignore it. With a sigh of resignation, she grabbed her

ces. The hospital's emergency room was a chaotic symphony of bee

d with a stack of forms. Kassie filled out the tedious HIPAA pa

c chair, watching the relentless drama of the

ie Je

nation room. The air smelled of antiseptic and latex. She sat on the edge of

looked up, a polite, pr

mile

the room, a chart in his hand. He looked up fr

him.

from her face. Of all the doctors, in all the hos

t he had been inside her body less than twelve hours ago. He looked at her as

hart. "Ms. Jense

ud in the small, silent room. He then moved to the end of

m, impersonal, but it sent a jolt through her system. She sucked in a sharp breath, a mi

the nurse fit you with an air splint and crutches. No high heels for a while," he s

was already turning to leave, his duty done. The white coat swirled ar

r his shoulder. A small, cruel smile played on his lips, a loo

ottom. She had nothing left to lose, no dignity left to protect. The words clawed their way out before she could sto

she expected. The question was absurd. S

ave your

A small, cruel smile played on his lips, a look of pure, unadulterated mockery that made her stomach c