e was plunged back into silence. A cold wind snaked around th

g. Her lips throbbed, but her heart

a stream of scalding water, scrubbing her skin as if she c

her body trembling uncontrollably from a rag

the estate's landline woke her. Mari

om Mr. Whitaker." Mari

hand tight around the cool

ore. "Seraphina had a difficult night. She'll need to stay in the hospital for a few more days. I need

as asking her, his wife, to pack a bag for his m

you insane?" Her voi

re is one thing, but you, as Mrs. Whitaker, handling these trivial matters will prevent unneces

mily. Always t

o?" Kara asked,

older than ever. "I'm not asking, Kara. I'

hun

l. But she didn't. She knew that fighting him now would only lead to more cruelty. To

ered. It was a boutique of its own, filled with the latest de

to her own farcical positio

of comfortable-looking loungewear, gathered som

resbyterian Hospital a

oom, she paused, looking thr

in bed, her face pale,

le, his head bent in concentration. His movem

ndow, illuminating the scene. It loo

art. That tenderness was something she had nev

wasn't cold by nature. He

e composed her features

a whisper. She shrank back against the pil

ash of annoyance crossed h

e refused to look at him, placing the bag on

anded. "Come here.

yes wide with disbelief

said, as if it were the mos