ie

If you ever hurt her again, Armand," he snarled, taking a menacing step fo

ing grew ragged, a harsh, wheezing sound that tor

yes. He straightened up, his gaze pleading, desperate. "Just... let her

forward, my hands reac

y father before he could fall. His face, usually so composed, held a flicker of somethin

risingly gentle. "There's no need for that. I

e. Her face was streaked with tears, but her resolve was iron. "We don't want your compensation, Ar

y constructed facade. "Ellie... she's finally getting bet

I couldn't let them suffer anymore. I stepped out from behind her, my

dy. "Just go. We don't need anything fr

inder of the knife attack, a permanent brand of our shared past. His eyes, momentarily, lost t

amming it shut behind him. My body sagged against th

that night. The doctors had warned him. Said my heart was weaker, my immune system compromised. But he had

had. He had built his empire, become the star corporate lawyer in New York City. But in his relentless ascent, he had trampled over my

ro-bono case, a whistleblower who had exposed corporate fraud. Cassandra Nieves. She was a victim, he said. Abused, traumatized, needing pro

ted from my kindness. She seemed utterly consumed by her trauma, unable to connect with anyone. Anyone, th

aced with that familiar mix of ego and genuine concer

torment. I understood his need to save Cassandra, to mend a broken past through a new present. So I sto

tant reassurance. He said he had to be there for her. Alw

on. "For everything. For letting Armand help me. I know it's been hard on you." She promised she would disappear once the case was over, move to some quiet town, maybe set up a small art studio in S

d her. I

stleblowers protected. He was hailed as a hero, his reputation sky

inning. The air was crisp, the sky a clear, hopeful blue. I waited by the departu

I saw

e lips that had kissed me good morning that very day, were now pressed against hers, deep

his time, they were cold, biting. I collapsed in the biting cold, the pristine white turning

en anger. He pushed Cassandra behind him, shielding her. "Ellie, what are you doing

a smirk on her lips, a look of triumph in her eyes. The

a stray dog abandoned on a desolate street. The cold seeped into m