felt herself slipping toward unconsciou

p closed around her wrist, and she was yan

emanded as he hoisted h

sion thundered ahead, and his arm forc

lungs, and a blast of he

sharp, chilling scent that

t on their own, and she fought to open them, de

ter's mask, she managed to glimpse a

on caught Brett already outside the fl

something precious reclaimed, and Brett's face showed a

ll shut, and a quiet tear traced i

certain that Brett h

owever, he c

Chelsey from the flames, and that

a's photograph with him for seven lon

not allow any other wom

who mattered most to him, maki

be hap

curved her lips into a

a clean break from a relationship that was do

ng the surge of overwhelming emotions, darkness cre

she thought she heard Brett's voice, fille

elsey's mind that she mu

evolved entirely around Lydia, and she

.

Chelsey when she reg

worried face of her mother, Gretchen Holden, w

ything hurt? Are you feeling unwell

upright and wrapped her arms around her moth

.." she said, her voice bre

side in this life felt

parents had traveled for business, and their private plane van

utwardly gentle but hollow affection, war

her stomach, followed by whispers and judg

evances weighed on her heart, she had always endured ev

ess dreams, tears soaking her pillow as she longed for her mother

hown unexpected kindness by gi

at none of those tragedies

olve, Gretchen continued to stroke h

rushed in to save you. I was terrified. My sweetheart, you are ab

elsey's brows knit

had clearly charged in to re

m danger. The thought that Brett would tak

verything. Tightening her grip on Gretchen's hand, Chelsey