a Man

freedom. Richard, Davis' s lawyer, efficiently processed the documents. A stra

lly worded statement from his PR team, citing "unforeseen mental health complications." No

. My days were a blur of grief and numbness, interspersed with flashes of burnin

a jar of pickles, my injured hand ac

a," he said, his voice calm.

ed hollow, like an e

rock," I said

a hint of something deeper in his ton

re my old scrubs, my medical school graduation photo, and

fierce love. I clutched the journal to my chest, the

ead. My mother' s hopes, her dreams, her unwavering b

specialist. The news was grim. My median nerve was seve

e thing to know it intellectually, another

my lids. The life I had meticulously bu

simply sat beside me, offerin

whispered, the words bare

hand, in his. "No, Brenna. This is just the

genius, your mind, Brenna. That' s what I'

otech firm, focusing on neuro-regenerative drugs. A pathway to a diffe

disappear. To become some

packing the last of my belongi

vi

his eyes bloodshot, a wild

e. He tried to pull me into his arms, b

y voice cold, unwavering. "

Brenna. It' s not over. It can' t be. I need y

ad inflicted. But his remorse felt hollow, self-serving. He need

ing away with all my strength. "You need a

mixture of anger and pain. "Don' t say

ie I no longer believed. A toxic, possessive

ow love if it bit you, Davis. You only

ng. "Don' t bring Kiley into this! She' s n

vements frantic. "I won' t let

. He glanced at it, his f

ice strained. "Kil

shock. "What? Com

accusation. "What did you do, Bre

thing, Davis. Consequences. That' s what happened. Compli

to mine. "You think this is fu

mother is in critical condition. It' s y

voice devoid of emotion. "I saved h

renna! You will come back with me! You will fix this!

rip like a vise. "You'

land. "You think you can force me, Davi

th overpowering my injured state. "You ar

, my hand useless. He threw me in

e trembling, but my resolve firm. "I' m

rom the apartment, leaving my

would never be his possession again. And he would pay. He would pay

from over. It ha