Bell

ice tight with discomfort, called out to Carter. He was

e my navel. It was small, a thin white line against my pale skin. A

ith a phantom ache. This was it. This was the mar

r a fraction of a second. His eyes narrowed, foc

a sudden, raw anger. He wasn't looking at me, the victim, but at the injust

. If only you knew the m

The heavy news. Cardiomyopathy. My heart was a ticking bomb. A bone m

Carter. I can't donate to Cecelia. The doctors said

led, had exploded. "Don't you dare, Ava! Don't you dare fake some ill

streaming down my face. "I have the me

led the car over, slamming on the brakes. "Get out, Ava. I can't even look

ting to fall. He drove off, leaving me shattered, abandoned.

othing of the monstrous betrayal that had led to this moment. He was so consume

medical procedure, perhaps. Don't let it distract you. We need t

"This case is priority one. I want every resourc

ger? You wouldn't even listen to me w

ulative fiancée. She was his world, his reason. I was ju

yearned for his approval. Even when James, my cousin, had warned me. "Carter's no

elia was just misguided affection, a temporary obsession. I though

he swore he couldn't live without. My apartment, the one he had chosen for us, was filled with Cece

my own life, a ghos