den

were fixed on me. "How dare you! You assaulted me! I'll have you arrested!" she shrieked, her voice echoing in

my entire body. "You are anything but innocent! You

ted with fury, his eyes blazing. He shoved me hard, sending me stumbling backward, my head cracking against the cold, hard wall

er me. Red. There was red on my hand when I pulled it aw

d, his voice laced with disgust. "Hitting Brooklyn? Have

elentless drumbeat of pain. "She was gloating! She told me it wa

ngsley and me, a cunning glint in her eyes. "She's lying, Kingsley," she whispered, her

s? Of what, Hayden? Of her concern for my business associates?

w throat. "She needs that heart! My mother, our mother, arranged for it! It

It was a misunderstanding! Brooklyn's cousin was in critical conditi

t my aching head. "She just admitted it wasn't for her

ingsley, please, don't listen to her.

ayden? You've changed. You used to be so sweet, so understanding. Now you're just

of her, of her worries, as if he knew anything about her love, about her sacrifices. I staggered forwa

to cause any more trouble. The doctors have enough to deal with." She put her hands on my chest, pushin

ste of blood in my mouth. "You don't get to use Julia to manipulate me! That heart was her last chance! My mother a

body. I crashed to my knees, breathless, my side burning with an intense, agonizing pain.

crossing his face. But it was quickly replaced by annoyance

barely audible. "And you, you monster, will regret this.

ng loyal to my business partners? Saving a life that wasn't 'yo

ring my vision. "You want dramatic? Fine. I hope you enjoy your new life, Kingsley. Because

white. "You ca

my heart. "More serious than I've ever been. You took my sister'

harp, searing cramp that doubled me over. I cried out, a raw, animal sound,

slightly, a flicker of genuine alarm in his eyes. "Hayden,

errifying warmth spreading between my legs. The blood. There w

th thinly veiled impatience. "She's always so dramatic. Just

a sliver of the old Kingsley, the one who occasionally showed conc

k," he warned, his voice cold. "This is your last chance. Go home. Now. Or don't e

aking this excruciating pain, this terrifying, wet warmth spreadi

through my pain. "The only mistake I ever made was

Brooklyn's triumphant snicker, the distant hum of hospital machinery. A cold dread settled ove