na'

and the sharp sting of antiseptic in the

You're

ay, my best friend. She was right beside my bed,

ould Mark do this to you? Cheating on you like that, then goi

elt dry. "What.h

ered everywhere. The wedding coverage, all that Thompson fami

that kiss inside Eric's expensive car, and his scent st

. "But how did you ev

"You listed me as your emergency contact. Thank God you

else. No Alpha. No man with electrifying ey

c was Bella's brother and part of Mark's family now.

ked out meant nothing and shoul

ulled me out

k thinks he can humiliate you and walk away? We should plan a revenge he'

I cut i

ed at me.

ave the time or energy to plot revenge on Mar

. "People can't just treat you

calmly. "Especial

d. "What d

Thompson family now. He has power. Money. Connections. What am

her mouth

d I gain? More trouble? A record? I need my se

ing me for the first time.

llow laugh. "D

ut this isn't you, Elena. You'

I said. "But I can't

ion softene

room and cry for months," I continued. "I have bills

hard. "Your

said. "That doesn't stop just becau

owly. "You're too str

I corrected. "

he pillow. "If anything

she echoed,

I found out who he really was before I gave h

, wry smile. "Sma

offer comfort or rage or reckless plan

ked in, clip

quick checku

aze remained fixed on me,

greeted, his tone professionally

y head still felt stuffed wit

ed with a high fever and severe shock, but y

ansive windows, the plush furniture, the private bathroom tucke

carefully, "this room

. "You're in one o

ed to sit up straighter. "There must be so

he said smoothly. "All e

l. "Prepaid

hompson. He's covering everything-the room, all

room. "Oh," I breathed, the

. "Rest well." And

shed down i

ewhere near her collarbone. "Wait. Er

gaze to my

Elena, you never said yo

ckly. "Not like that. He just... helped.

at simple, and I knew it. There was something between Eri

en visited. May would have told me if he had. That alone told me every

sh money to ensure I stayed quiet. Or compensation-be

yes, my thoug

o read into it. Men like Eric Thompson

thought hurt mor