stant source of torment. Kalia, having made a miraculous reco

with delicacies in front of her. The caption: Brya

d bracelet on her wrist. A little get-wel

arm wrapped protectively aroun

b, heavy stone in her chest. She didn't delete

rwork, she saw Kalia across the lobby, looking perfectly healthy and smug. Charl

t was waiting for her, h

he demanded, his

confused. "W

. "Kalia. She's missing. The hospital security f

After everything, after he had left her for

g injustice of it al

e she is," Charlotte

stepping closer. "This isn't about some stolen d

. "If anything happens to her, Charlotte, I will make

ew he meant it. He was capable o

she is," she repeate

n to the cavernous wine cellar in the basement of the build

y to tell me the truth," he said, h

door shut, the lock

er injuries, wearing only a thin sweater. She huddled in a corner, shivering

rost began to form on the metal shelves. Her skin turned a deathly pale, then

open, and Bryant would stand the

e is

ith cold to form words. She stared at him, her eye

th each visit. He lower

w, icy puffs. She was going to die here. For a crime sh

pened one

aid, his voice a low growl. "Tell me where

yes, she saw it. A deep, abidin

s too weak to even shake her head. She c

sal. "Fine," he hissed, an

rom the hallway. "Bryant? What are

as K

oat. "I just went for a little spa weekend with the girls

hand still on the door. He stared at Kalia, then at th

e, relieved embrace, as if she w

nic smile touching her frozen lips. T

little girl again, chasing after a young Bryant, reaching for his hand. He would tur

her face. She was in a hospital bed agai

hone. An incoming ca

red it.

unreadable. When he hung up, his face was

trange. "He said he was confirming ar