ic surgeon, was a man of few

va's hospital bed, review

beside him,

Dr. Ramirez said, his tone flat. "Multiple fragments. Delic

ignificant. It will require careful repair. Even then, a full recovery of

word echoed in

It was like they were

ht?" Ethan's voice was t

performed. The outcome depends on many fact

at Ava. "There

ow. A condition for

or could. "Dr. Ramirez is a

ent cold. Chl

ontinued, his gaze avoiding Ava's. "She cl

bered Chloe's dramatic sc

k to the surgeon, "is under the impres

he surgery on Ava if she issues a formal, public apology to

at Ethan, i

n attack Chloe herself orchestrated

of cruelty. To hold

d, her voice

"Ava, don't be foolish. This is

t apologize for something I di

able. "Miss Miller, your coo

ef. "You want me to lie? To humiliate myself so that

was sharp. "This isn'

about truth, Ethan. Something you and Chloe

prostrating myself before that manipulative little lia

in the air, sta

of fury and frustration.

to the point of self-d

teady. "But I will not be a paw

, looking towards the wi

r worst. She had

die than give C

stormed out of the room, Dr. Rami

nd ankle throbbed, but a different kind of

heir price, i