pain and muffled sounds. I was in a private hospital, one funded by Nicole'

ght fragments of a conversation. Nicole' s

stable,

geon. "The burns are extensive, third-degree over sixty

y. "Given the nature of the blast, it's a miracle, but his

f, a strange, distant th

again, and her w

skin graft surgery, I want

uncilwoman Chavez, that's... not medically necess

her tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll sign whatev

asked, his voice a mix

b, is the heir to the Chavez legacy. I cannot risk Ethan having another child, some new brat who might one day

meant nothing to me. But the intent was clear. It was a mutilation