ollowed out, strippe

matically e

, personal ite

stark and masculine against th

vet box from the disastrous Ham

it up,

eed large, flawless

esented

t into the

Innovate had sent shock

entored and led, called,

ny needs you. E

em, my voice gentle but

those words was

is voice a mixture of c

ays you've cleared out your office. Are you seriously still upset about the

n," I said, the lie slipping out ea

ve me this small paperweight for my desk years ago. It's nothing special, just a

He cherished her meaningless trinket while I

nected t

a shield I no longer

rang. It was Ethan again, h

enox Hi

d?" I asked,

ar. She fell. She's bleeding internally, losing a lot of it.

ar threat, "I still have your career in a brief

an was there, his face a mask of anxious concern, focused entirely on the room w

oice low and furious, completely ignoring t

alth, only about how I cou

uld be the final severing. The last

than was conferring with a doctor. Her mask of weakness slipped, replaced by a smug, victorious smile. I looked away, my gaze landing on

looking up at me, his voice weak but sincere, "You're my rock, Ava. Promise you'll never leave me." I closed my eyes, a sin

ghost drifting through the busy corridor. As I passed th

ul to her. You can see

a handsome couple. I hop

le woman whose lifeblood was s

reak was absolut