e Garre

ng me just like that, in the sterile white of a hospital room, whispering those same words. I've got you. She can't

old, were locked on me. He was afraid

make me remove you from this house, from this company, from this life. Becau

her word, they turned and walked out the door, lea

a masterclass in p

. He named it 'Karina's Wish.' He flew her there on a private jet, and th

ng hand-in-hand with Jacob on a white sand beach. Videos of him kissing her belly.

rld watched, fascinated, as the tragic, loyal CEO finally found happiness

villa. I sat in the dark, the engagement ring he'd given me

hispered to the shadows

ee the financials. Everything. Especially the list of o

ady. "Your father... he put certain fail-safes

shoulder. And I saw it. A single, anonymous entity that held the majority of the debt for Jacob' s most ambitious, over-leveraged

wed wings. And I was about

t for a meeting. His assistant informed me

d his per

it was answered. Bu

orious, came through the speaker. A vi

the turquoise water of the Caribbean sparkling behind her

his hair. "It's hard work buildin

told me why he could never really love you. It wasn't j

tched. "What

nnocence," she savored the word, "it wasn't some

out. The scre

ld, panicked bird trapped in a cage. Tainted. The word echoed in my mind, a gho

d a second number. A number

ered on the

iar voice said. "I've bee

the company headquarters, ostensibly to celebrate a new quarter of record-breaking profits

ctory. Business leaders and socialites flocked to her

you all for coming," he began, his voice booming with confidence. "And I want to introduce y

erupted i

hen the door

moving with silent, terrifying efficiency. The music screeched

ed directly to Jacob. He didn't say a word. He sim

e tight with confusion and annoyance.

to be seen. The only guards in the room were the o

ck muzzle glinting under the crystal chandeliers. He

I had g