ctively lun

ard linoleum floor. His thick arms wrapp

fragile frame felt like a brok

Haylee shouted, stepping

ightened his grip on Alya, liftin

Dr. Evans, his voice echoing with absolute

ically, gesturing for

nched so tight the muscle ticked visibly. An unfamiliar, tight knot of anxie

look back

Cole gently placed Alya onto the

urses rushed in, they quickly hooked Alya up to a heart mon

stion and emotional shock," the nur

al staff with a sharp, i

ut, pulling the heavy

dside. He sat down heavily, resting his

passed in he

eyes. The harsh, bright ceiling lights made her wi

d slightly. Her ga

ya breathed out, panic

atly, checking his phone. "Dr. Evans assured me he

suit jacket. He looked entirely unbothered, as if th

sture, Alya's mind flashe

torm outside his corporate headquarters beg

her the marriage contract across his mahogany desk. He

leaving a bitter t

ugly purple bruise was already forming on

r, it anchored her in the mis

His tone dripped with

, Alya," Cole said, leaning back in the

idn't

ket, deliberately creating a physical barrier between them. She didn't rip out her IV. She didn't scream or thr

s eyes narrowing at her unnatural stillness. He reached out, his large

ce carrying a rare, albeit

ing his hovering hand entirely. Her vo

ed, her eyes never wavering from t

his hand, leaning his w

y would you go? How exactly will Hayes Realty survive without my funding

company. It was the chain he used to keep her tied to hi

eath brushed against her ear, sm

ire," Cole whispered, his words designed to inflict maximum

ll, refusing to let him see the fresh, hot tears well

nce, he thought he had won.

slowly tracing her jawline in

d away with sudden

from the sudden movement, but she planted h

anymore," Alya told him, her voice r

ned into a stormy

s easily spanning her collarbones. He pushed her

narled, his face inches from hers. "Did you forget the prenup y

orless laugh. The sound

Cole," she told him, her eyes bur

osened slightly. The concept of someone willingly walking

words, a tentative knock sou

's buzzing phone. "Sir. It's the board

from Linden's hand. His demeanor switched back to

ng his expensive cuffs, smoothi

ole commanded, his voice returning to its usu