ut her whole body felt limp, like

open. What she saw was a dusty, cobwe

under the covers? Whe

went blank, but then th

ut realized she was tied up tight

r body, sharp and fami

ld burn scars winding across her

rn? Wasn't she just peacefu

enly back in her

whelming, slammed i

oft, girlish voi

she saw the person standing before h

bel

-face flawless, makeup perfect, standin

ng with disdain, a dagger Delia recogniz

except now, the r

, looking as polish

creamed sarcasm, not e

, her throat raw and dry. "It's just

of hope-that maybe, just maybe, the man who'd once held

se was Isabelle's c

ming your silly l

? You threw him away

s coming to save you now?

e a poisoned needle,

. it w

ed him away again and again, burning eve

voice cut in-still

of his mouth dug

still this naive

ly thought

his expression full of fake pity

l that Fleming family money, and the stuff from Curtis? We cou

in tears, fighting against the ropes, onl

ll'?" Isabe

oss Delia's cheek. "Look at you n

react, the blade

out instantly, trai

to see her in agony. "Don't worry, this is just the warm-up. This fa

Delia shook her

le didn't

ere's no coming back for you. You'll

skin again and again, leavi

hat's enough," Nathan

hand was

e in plunging it stra

ged like wildfire

out one final scream of pure de

es of those two faded away

antiseptic took t

pped head to toe in bandages, look

t even lifting a fin

and mask walked in. "Time

se yanked at the gauze on Del

ugh her like an electric shock. He

sings always hurts," the nurse said f

, guess that's what happens whe

.. help me..." Del

r Mr. Stockton to save you? Ge

ust stay here a

would never

e was blind to what r

ia sat up abr

ed in cold sweat, hair cling

pounding, her eyes

l, steadying, like someone had

o the point of snapping

ust a ni

ng she saw felt

an beside her sitting up, clearly

woken the moment

hing yet when he noticed

reached for her. "D

ment to believe he was really there, then t

e cracked as she buried

econd, caught off guard

his arms around

ce softer than usual. He awkwardly pa

here now. You're

her life depended on it, lik

not gonna lea

r. "I'm right here. I'

nto his hug. "Okay...

ing steadying as her exhaus

her lashes, she drifted

his brows furrowed, emotion

ory could've sha

l stress, and seeing her like thi

been paying en

ad been actin

y now made him k

d her, he reached for hi

y dialed

barely one ring-Noah's voice

eople Delia's be

ah sounded surprised but di

p and placed

was hiding, he needed