Brand

hospital machinery. Austin sat beside my bed, his face et

he asked, his voice soft, almos

rody of the man I once knew. I remembered countless mornings like this, him hovering, bri

eamed buns from that place on the west side of the city." It was

ation in his eyes, then nodded. "

e confines of this room, the memories it evoked. My body was still weak, but I forced

, I heard voices. Eva's, l

ed, her voice dripping with malice.

autious. "Don't be careless, Eva.

won't you?" Eva giggled. "He' s so obsessed with Alexis, he just needed a replace

tup. A corporate espionage plot. And I was the pawn. My hands trembled, but I fumbled f

foot grazed it. Eva' s head snapped up. Her eyes, devoid of

f feigned innocence. "No one,"

xis," she hissed, her voice a cruel parody of her usual sweetness. "Ju

other stumble, dragging me with her. We tumbled down the long, unforgiving hospital stairwell. My

ide with horror. He saw me standing, then Eva tumbling. His face contorted, a

led. "My baby! Alexis... she pu

han any fire. "You evil bitch!" he screamed, his voice laced wi

body a mangled mess of pain. I touched my chest, my heart str