per on the floor were

first showing disbelief, then quickly

re she

r," he roared, his ey

r lock, and the lock click

ide. It turned the

remained unusually calm. She recalled the aftermath of her parents' funeral. Ho

less. This is the crucial moment. If she doesn't

incessant cursing. "This has never been about Brandi. It's about my parents' trust fund.

iracy was now laid bare, hanging in the sterile air between them. They couldn't comprehend how sh

concern for his niece completely

gh the walls. "Your parents are to

nged

ted. A clumsy, blatant

covering her eyes with one hand as if too afraid to look. But Arena saw i

, fleshy hand reached for her throat.

back down. She

hand was just inc

in a fluid arc. The movement was concise and

tip pierced the back of

sound rang out as the blade

tic pain. He pulled his hand back, clutching it tightly, and brigh

y woman, you stabb

ing the leg of the metal medical cart. The cart collapsed with a deafening crash of steel and

nd stepped barefoot onto

her," Arena spat, her voice dripping wit

ling finger pointed at Arena, her face contorted with fear

s were fixed on the door.

mo

to block her way. "You're not go

r away with astonishing force. "Get out of my way," she roared. "You vam

that he was going to call the pol

ers who locked her up. Their words were against her words. A

e door and rushed

corridor were blinding. The air here sm

k back. She st

Her hospital gown, open at the back, billowed be

tion, her immune system collapsed. She could only drag herself along. She could only crawl. She had been a resource they used up and then discarded, a blo

time, she ran on her own two

corner, a figure

is. She was pale and haggard, but her eyes he

ned, reaching out to grab the sleeve of her

is like a spark o

ook over e

She swung her elbow back sharply, striki

"puff." She bent over, staggered backward, and fell

lways expected, and always received everything. This girl who, for her

know what the doctor said. You know it will cripple

orner. They saw Brandy lying on the ground, with Arena standi

de, forming a united front

u've done!" B

l for this!" Gran

d, pointing at her, his face

group. But she was no

se and poison. She walked toward the elevat

rs slid open. Sh

them, she saw her reflection in the polished steel

n't blood

s fr