thundercloud. "Where is she? Where is Ava?

se said, her voice trembling. "She...

ran into the waiting area. "Leo! Oh,

to her. He pulled her into his arms.

ze again, to try and make peace. But she... she was so angry. She said she hated me, that she hated yo

ated, his voice filled

!" Chloe wailed, burying her face in hi

she'd "dropped" it. Leo picked it up. A new text message was on the screen. It was from the G

and a terrible conclusion formed in his eyes. He believed her. He believed I had arrang

ce a low growl of betrayal. He looked

hing. He simply accepted the most convenient, damning explanati

m. "Mr. Sterling, we ha

Leo asked, h

ns, and a severe concussion. We're keeping her sedated," the doctor explaine

eo asked,

been bound. Someone kidnapped her after the fall. We were only

innocence. He didn't see the truth. He only saw what she wanted him to se

rranged all of this to make me look bad. To make you look bad." He

to break all over again. There was no reaching

heavy cast, and my head throbbed with a dull, persistent pain. My whole body was a canvas of bru

didn't ask what happened. He j

ing with disgust. "Faking a kidnapping? Trying to frame an innocent girl

ome out. I just stared at him, the full weight of his betrayal crashing down on me. He d

learn your lesson." He turned and walked out of the room, leaving me alo