dialed the number I had s

sition as the heiress to the fortune." My

ere was a long pause, then I heard her crying softly.

of Lucas Alfred sent

despite my father's warnings. He'd seen through Leo's lies from the very beginn

spered, swallowing t

my inheritance, my family

s a death sentence wrappe

ed at the phone in

e hallway. His voice was sharp, urgent. He was

, he stormed off down the corr

tep sent sharp pain coursing through the surgical wound. I l

had to

e upright. My heart hammered against my ribs. I used the w

greeted me made

room. His hands roamed her body while she moaned against h

ut me," Lydia murmured, clinging to

rehead. "In five days, this nightmare wi

omise?" Her v

he assured her. "Ju

word was a dagger twisti

what? Until I gre

him. She was glowing, radiant, with per

the window beside them. Pale,

ally sick

e me,

leaping from my chest. A nurse

." She gestured toward Leo and Lydia. "T

ood f

lled with admiration. "Always bringing her fresh flowers. Making s

sb

ike a dagger t

The earth tilted

ked out, my voice ba

ow much he loves her." The nurse sighed dreamily,

nd earth

oved my very

sive bouquet of white roses

said, his voice overflowing with tend

. The ones he had never once bou

d white roses. He nodded, said "that's nice," and bought me choco

carons. While I'd made myself a bowl of instant noodles when

cut deeper t

ower her with the love I'd always craved. Then Lydia's gaz

ted. A slow, cold smirk spread across her fa

aze never leaving mine. "Promise me you'l

days, nothing will ever separate us again. I promise you a

ydia moaned, wrapping her legs around h

d. R

pen. In a hospital corridor where anyone cou

a love promise. Like

ack to my room. Each step was agony. Blood continued to

ody convulsing with silent sobs that ca

moment. All of it had been part of his

eone was squeezing my heart unt

day, Leo never came to

and my broken heart, he was with Lydia. She ha

inal piece of the puzzle clicked into place with te

remembered that day so clearly now. Tears streamed down his

you, Elena? I can't lose you. At least this way,

ncern. I'd signed the papers wit

nsurance wasn't protect

ng. Every tear had been calculated. Every

he woman he truly loved. And my death would be

et me live long enough to uncover their web of

od, every stolen breath, every shatt