oorframe, short and thin for his age. Each shaky attempt to d

een born with a sev

, betrayed their father for another man

image of prosperity, but only Sebastian truly knew the

Jayden's pale features, worry making her heart

movement revealed years of muscle

n Dad's office. He was furious-said he'd been threatened. After that, Dad went ab

he'd discovered Claire at her father's home. And who,

ths with Claire one time, j

atulations and insisting she considered Declan nothing more t

her a hundred thousand-far more than t

money than Declan showed up, accusing

eks as she clutched the money,

r Melinda only deep

ess, every move she made see

f her memories, her voice growing crisp. "

and cold. "Is my brother-in-la

" Melinda sidestepped the question,

ng from Jayden yanked

caught her eye, his arms tucked behin

ly to find a fresh cut on his arm an

o you? Why aren't you in your ward? What are you

lled his arm away from her grasp. "It'

is arm again, fear already blooming. "Is this about t

in Jayden's eyes, tears

cked me out, so I fought back! But Melinda, I can't let you ke

ping into her cheeks. "Have th

s daughter; you shouldn't throw your dignity away for m

s, the ache in her heart

be was never

y, constant dialysis, expensive medications shipped from o

g, desperation had driven her to s

h Declan, suffered humiliation,

rwhelm her, and she dreaded having to face Deanna,

tled when her phone buz

sed Melinda's face as s

linda, what were you thinking? How could you screw up and upset a VIP? You've was

apsing to her knees. Was Declan behind all of this? He wa

s non-negotiable-he could

fast cash. No matter her pride, she wou

slipped into the skimpy, allu

of sympathy. "The boss wants you gone. No one dares to cross a big client l

d up for a chance to spend time with her

showed in every feature, from her flawless skin to her spellbi

ring in a fortune, but now she had lost

owhere else to go-I need this job,

roken look, she let out a long breath and eased her tone. "You know who you crossed. If you want to stay, swallow yo

cheeks, leaving her stunned. After a wh

pulled the strings against her? No matter what happened, sh

shaky breath, bit down on her lip,

yground-its elusive owner only adding to the bar's myth. The place was legendar

to be watching, every angle r

liar woman's face appea

linda stood face-t