Case

that I hoped could wash away the filth of my past life. I lay on the table, the paper crinkling beneath me, and for the

built on lies, to subject it to the shadow of its father...

ash echoed from the hallway, followed by shouting. The do

nr

s looking past me, at the doctors, his eyes wild with a frantic ter

rror that made the nearest doctor flinch back. "Eliana Harringt

topped. El

finger toward the VIP suite down the hall. "She'

cracks appearing across its surface under the force of his rage. "Trying isn't good enough!

octor, his focus ent

ion blurring at the edges. Through the haze, I watched as the chief surgeon rushed o

They just le

en here, even now, Eliana came first. The world bent to her needs. Conrad

een replaced by this monster, this stranger who would let me lie her

profound emotional pain washed over me, an echo of a past I couldn't escape. It was a violation of my very be

y, the world we

ng through the window, but I felt nothing but a hollow chi

voice low and laced with disgust. "He's been sitting

?" I asked, my

were c

oo

didn't you just tell him? Tell him you were pregna

cause he was worried about her. He would have just seen it as another one of my 'tricks.' Another attempt to get h

when you took that bullet for him? He sat by your bed for thr

I said, my voice flat

need you to do something for me. Get me a new passport. A new identity. Get m

d but understanding. "

"Burn everything. My files, my clothes, a

g to becom

mories that had turned to poison. In all that time, Conrad hadn't called. Not once. Not a single text. It was as if I had already ceased to exist. A part of m

rd creaked in the hallway. I froze. I was a ghost, bu

uid. But as I rose from my crouch, a sharp, acrid scent filled the air. My muscles went slack, th

lf, only to find my escap

a fresh wave of pain radiated from my lower abdomen. I pushed myself up, my body protesting the movemen

utside the thin metal

t?" he asked, hi

plied. One of his lieutenants. "Are you su

ntrums have consequences. This is a lesson in loyalty. When she's scared enough, I'll go in a

s wasn't a punishment for going after Eliana. This was a punishment

ake me compliant again, to ensure I w

he far wall, my heart hammering against my

, I forced my eyes open, tr

ely shifted from cold indifference to one of s

in his arms. "I'm so sorry, baby. I just found out. We got the ba

ainst my hair. It was all a lie. A sick, twisted

immed, playing my part. "Conrad,"

voice thick with fake emotion. "Let's go home

y room, I buried my face in his chest, my body shaking with silent

n I was learning w