ng in the lock was violen

rhythmic ache, like a hammer striking inside her skull. She was in a bed. A

s was rumpled, the strap

voice commanded

eelchair facing the door. He had his back to her, his

und, holding his black suit jacket. He t

r you

ch the jacket to her chest

t Victoria. I

ding white strobes left spots in her vision. Elena screamed, p

ice was a theatrical shrie

by three men with cameras and a handful of "concerned"

!" Julia

phers hesitated, lowering their cameras for a split second. Julian w

his face twisted in a mask of fury. "Get you

with triumph. "We were just looking for Elena. Ryan wa

obbed, her voice cracking. "I fe

rters muttered, snapping anothe

"Look at her. Disgraceful. Ryan is downstairs heartbroken,

d' hung in the ai

ight bend. He looked at Victoria, then back at Elena. His eyes were dark, unre

ctoria. "She didn't

m went

performance of resignation that was terrifyingly convinci

opped. "What?

me because she couldn't stand the sight of your son anymore. She chose me. We though

s preying on a helpless invalid. But Julian painting himself as the secret lover? It made Ryan look

recovering quickly. "You're disgust

made me," Julian said

rters back into the hallway. The door slam

lian's back. He wa

pered. "Why did

e vulnerability was gone. His

contract and destroy your family," he said coldly. "If we are lovers, it's just a scanda

tears streaming down her face. "My lif

lian said. "Get dressed. Arthur is waitin