re counting down. On

opened

pped into focus instantly, her pupils contracting aga

s. A dull throb in the occipital region. A wave of vertigo that she quelled by pr

nd. A simple gold band

revulsion curled in her stom

a Mckee, the heiress and prodigy surgeon-had collided and fused. The fog of the last three years, i

walked in, carrying a t

g with bored condescension. "Mr. Mckee paid the

up. The movem

rp motion, she ripped the tape and pulled the needle out. She applied pres

," Isabe

y the tone. It wasn't the voice of a woman

use

the attending physician that this isn't a saline drip. It's a dopamine solution. You're gi

ned and hurried out of the room,

She looked pale. A bandage was taped to the back of

banged op

d. His tie was loosened, and he smelled

hen he saw h

have time for your theatrics, Isabella.

idn't flinch. She didn't apol

way a scientist looks

calm, devoid of the tremor that used to

re was a notepad and a pen next to t

paper. The letters were

page off and he

wned. He too

VO

Is this a joke? Are you trying to levera

ed and sat down, crossing her

said. "The dilapidated one on the north shor

"That shack? It's

y rights to the secondary Mckee shares outlined in the pre-nup. I

in him woke up. The shares were wor

s eyes. "You'd leave with nothing? You'

t wasn't a smile. "That is none of

ate her, a tactic that had worked for three years. "If you sig

tilted her head back, expos

Hamilton. Before

ered. But he was already

ne rang. The ringt

His face softened into th

ed. "I'm here. Wh

. "I have to go. My lawyer will be here i

," Isabe

ed out, slamming the door

ared at the

o the empty room. "The only person