e the darkness completely swallowed me was Richard Jones's composed billionaire mask shattering into a look of pure unadulterate

ep... beep of a heart monitor was the only sound in the room. I tried to sit up but a

tie loosened, his hair disheveled, and he looked more human than I had seen him. "The

se the job and if I lose the job....." I couldn't complete the remaining sentence

In fact, you're on paid leave," he said. I knew that 'paid leave' meant he had written

ichard," I snapped using his

ts, Oma. Why? What are you running away from so fast that you're willing to kill

tell this man, this powerful and perfect man, that I was the "disgraced" girl? That I

care of myself," I

reading people, Oma. You have the integrity of someone ten times your age, but you are living like a fugitive. Let me help you, just one

membered my father's face. I remembered Tasha's laughter and I concluded that men like Richard Jones di

what I did, given the circumstances. Please just leave me alone. I di

lute. "I'll leave for now, but I'm

a clipboard. "Ah, Miss Johnson, you're awake. That is very good, we've stabilized your fluids, but we need to

ee Richard standing in the hallway, his hand still on the doo

I took in the words. But the real shadow fell across the room when the door swung wide op

ice just above a whisper, but it c

obviously confused. "I am so sorry,

the thin hospital blanket up to my chin, desperately wishing I could disappear into the mattress. "He's...

ared his throat. "Alright, I'll give you two a moment

bed, his eyes fixed on my stomach, as if he could see t

," I answere

the f

just me, and I'm going to be fine. I don't need a billionaire lawyer to swoop in

d and forced me to look at him. "Oma, now I can see; this is why you've been working yo

up. It was a joke, a prank on them, to see if I'd keep my integrity. They drugged me, Richard, and I don't even know his name. My father

but instead, his jaw tightened, and a terrifyingly cold a

edatory edge. "They violated you, took your home, and

ke a broken tap. I didn't try to stop it, there was no need to as I felt

were almost touched. "I have spent my career protecting people who don't deserve it Oma. For the first time, I wan

" I asked, my heart h

cannot be under this condition and I would do nothing. I o

he only reward I need from you is to lea

lly, Oma? But I'll have you k