ODSON

smell of antiseptic filling my nostrils. My ankle was throbbing, a dull, ins

ently. "You have a fractured ankle and a co

elt dry.

ks before you can bear weig

wo burly men in dark suits, Killian' s security detai

your immediate presence," one of the

as I tried to sit up. "I' m

the second guard grunted. He reached f

ou can' t just remove a patient! She' s

"This is a private matter. Stay out of it." T

rotest. It was a grotesque, humiliating march through the hospital corridors. They dragged

urious, flower-filled room, my suspicions were confirmed. Through the slightly ajar door, I saw Killian, his arm around Is

nd cold, sliced through the air. He hadn' t eve

ity, but my leg buckled. I leaned heavily on one

s eyes narrowing. "You ha

my voice raspy. "I fell.

us hiss. "You deliberately attacked her, trying to hurt he

e in Killian' s shoulder. "She h

rno in my chest. "I didn' t push

nks to your psychotic rage. You' re lucky I' m not pressing charges." He stood up, his towering frame casting a l

he woman who constantly tormented me? The words stuck in my throat,

the humiliation, finally broke through the wall of my despair.

the woman who saved my life?" He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "You think y

For the damage you cause, for the embarrassment you bring. You broke my vase. You stained my reputation." He stra

trained, vicious hunting dogs there. They were rarely, if ever, u

ou know I have a fear of dogs! Please, don' t do this!" My voic

face impassive. "Then a

my face. "I can' t, Killian, don' t you und

ious suite, down the back stairs, and into a waiting black SUV. The world became

s. The air was crisp, pungent with the smell of pine and damp earth. My inj

aying. Deep, guttural,

surfaced with horrifying clarity. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drum. I tried to run, to scramble away, bu

aw and absolute, consumed me. "I' m sorry! I' m sorry!" I shrieked, the words torn from my t

o the SUV, my body a trembling wreck. My fear reaction, the f

oom, but directly to Isabel' s VIP suite. My head

ck to me. Isabel, looking smug, was

ogize," one guard ann

ly sculpted eyebrow. "

y leg like white-hot lightning. My head swam. I looked at Isabel, her face t

tion and terror. "I... I' m so sorry. I' m sorry for... for pushing you. I' m sorry I hu

t enough, Ava. You need to show you' re truly repentant." S

were cold, assessing. He made

e nudged my should

en again, bowing my head until my forehead touched the cold marble floor. "I' m sorry. I' m so sorry." I kept repeating

"Get her out of here. And get her to the emergency room. Make sure she' s treated." A flicke

ceiling spinning above me, a profound clarity washed over me. This was it. This was the end. The final, brutal extinction of any hope, any love,