click. It felt less like a dial tone an

mand, stripped of any typical greeting. He h

e a piece of dry marble. I was still shaking slightly from Dr. Reed's ul

my voice. I would not beg. "I'm calling about your... proposal.

responded, his tone utterly devoid of triumph. He spoke as if

y first name unless

million, is transferred to an escrow account accessible to D

s immediate transfer upon signature and notarization. I'

"Conti Tower, sixty-second floor, Legal Annex. Now. I'll send the car for you in thirty

suggestion. He issued a deadline. The man was a creature of calculated efficiency,

s immaculate, the leather smelling expensive and new. When the silent dr

ndro was waiting in a large conference room, not his primar

d. The sight of it gave me a fleeting, bitter satisfaction. "You're o

gested he was comp

execute a binding

rop. I'm trading my life for my brother's. Let's st

line, ignoring the lawyers who shifted impatiently and Aless

eating. No pregnancy. Absolute confidentiality. Public display of affectio

touch?" Alessandro leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. For the first time, his

eek. Perhaps, on occasion, a kiss that convinces my grandfather, or the press, t

cally magnificent, I couldn't deny it. But the thought of his perfect

ess the flicker of unexpected tension. "But I will play my part. I am a convinc

rofessionalism. If you fail to convince my grandfather, t

slid a tablet toward me, showi

funds are legally designated and accessible for Leo Vance's care." I didn't bother to chec

l the shame. I picked up the expensive silver pen, but

Elara." I scrawl

a surprisingly slow, deliberate movement, and placed a heavy, golden envelope

the year. This is your allowance. Buy what you need. You will be moving into the Conti M

pologize. He simply gave me my

our farewells. The performance begins now." He

ly, heading to the car statione

the car stopped at the hospital. I dashed out, heading towards Leo'

ced by a nasal cannula,

red, his voice thi

You are getting the best medicine in the world, starting tomorrow. You are going to fi

." I took a deep breath. This

stay while you recover, a huge house, so you can be comfortable while you're getting well. We're moving to

o a fragile smile. "A big

sh start, Leo. A new chapter." He clos

er... with a

back new, happy tears. "Now sleep. Your body needs rest. I'll come back tomorr

on solidified. I had sold myself to

ed off the clothes I hated and stood in the shower, trying to wash

dried my hands and glanced at the

pare you for the first meeting with my grandfather. This is not optional. You must look the part. And Elara, leave your battered lugg

. Mrs. Alessandro Conti. The title felt st

-worthy performance, and if

y wet hair. Tomorrow,

y of it to a ten-year-old boy who s