iya

g the windows of my hospital room. My heart leaped into my th

eard frantic footsteps in the hallway outside my door, then the heavy thu

er, her face pale, her hair disheveled. She spotted Hudson just as he burst into Adaline's r

t her own IVs! It's because of her!" Elara's finger pointed accusingly at me. "She mu

lder, his eyes locking onto mine, cold and accusing. He didn't say

m, slamming the door behind him. But not before his voice, low

he convenient scapegoat. The "don't move" was a twisted echo of all the times he'd

time. My deci

l, worn satchel. I pulled it out. Inside, tucked amongst a few changes of clothes and a small wad of cash, was a fol

firmed the "emergency" passenger who would be taking my place. My heart pounded,

al air filling my lungs. This was it. Th

in the hospital wing. Hudson's parents were there, his mother, Eleanor, looking regal and formidable even in her

e edged with ice. "What is the mean

, my voice steady, though my hands tremb

vorce proceedings haven't even begun in earnest. You t

rrected, my gaze unwavering. "I'm here to give you a w

ankly ahead, suddenly lifted his head,

d to Hudson's ruin, even his death, if Adaline's illness wasn't cured, and if I remained in his life as a target. I painted the picture with vivid, stolen details, weaving in the sense of impending doom. "I saw Hudson... ruined. His career shattere

s composure cracked, a flicker of genuine fear in her eyes. T

orrow name, makes him a larger target. As long as I am tied to him, he is vulnerable. And Adaline, without intervention, will not survive." I looked directly at Rob

, his eyes wide. "Are you saying

thing to tell you this if I didn't believe it with every fiber of my being. My leaving, m

husband. "Robert, we cannot ignore this. Jamiya... she

lled with a new, unsettling resp

re far away. Somewhere no one will find

doom, finally lifted. I had done what I could. I had given my warning, and soon, I would give m

through the deserted corridors, my steps light, my heart a complex mix

had agreed to meet here, just in case. I knew Hudson wouldn't come. He was with Adaline, as al

railing, looking out at the city lights twinkling below, each one a tiny world I was leaving b

away?" a voice, cold and shar

silhouette against the moonlit sky. His eye

my heart leaping. "Wha

lash. Her body is rejecting the transplant. It's like... like the life force is draining from her, leaving her hollow

? Her body was rejecting it? This was worse than I thought. T

I stammered, genuinely shocked. "I

ef and derision. "Don't lie to me, Jamiya. You're incapable of such s

the desperation in my voice raw. "I did it because I knew the corporate plot, the danger you were in if Adaline's health de

chaos and misery! Adaline is dying, Jamiya! And it's because of you! I swear, if anyt

acrifice, all my carefully laid plans, now turned

spoke of a warning. You spoke of a way out. Fix her, Jamiya. Now!" His hand clamped around my arm, his grip bruising

t amidst the fear, a desperate resolve ignited. I had come to