of antiseptic and the lo

ently where the need

aded, as if my bones had bee

aric's voice cut

odically peeling an orange. The citrus scen

ainst the door, checki

, his tone dripping with mockery. "

ed, tossing a piece of peel onto the floor. "Boss just wanted to tea

marry her off to Alexander and be done with it. Once he secures the terri

still, my eyes

ught I w

ught I w

estm

age

erd

r, toxic and heavy, settlin

they were vultures waitin

ed to throw the rest of th

I sa

dancing wildly in my vision,

IV line out

ly, dripping hot and re

nd. "You're not discharged, Princess. Alexande

gs over the s

cold floor, sending

too

the IV pole white-k

f my way,"

stepping forward to block the

cream loud enough to bring the nurses, the police, and the press down here. A

nder owned them-but the press was a w

s hesi

fraction o

my shoulder colli

m-like hitting a brick

y, my hospital gown flut

, his voice echoing down the corridor. "There's nowhere t

t turn

or, pressing the butto

ors sl

hed their faces disappear

whispered to my pale reflection in t