a More

ough the windows, I finally moved. My body was stiff, protesting, but my eyes were clear.

f they had all been burned away, leavi

ed it back in the envelope, slid it into the drawer, and turned the key. The key w

cro-recorder, smaller than a button. I pressed it into the seam beneath Dante's desk, where th

pale, drawn face was a fitting reflection of the r

ain: *Why?* I needed an answer

slate of shock. This desperate need for a reason was a part of me I had long supp

obby like a queen. The security guards nodded, the

ting was a fresh

evator to the top flo

out. He saw me and a flicker of surprise-and some

g my path. "Mr. Rinaldi is on a

aching for the handle of

l, Dante's voice, sharp and cold, sliced

uite closed. A th

uss this again. Alessia is

ant. "But she's pregna

nt snarl. "It's from a donor bank! I would neve

scream. My baby. This child had no biologic

needed to prove to Elara that even if I married and had a family, my heart, my body, everything I am, belongs only to her. I needed

e from

ld wall, my body trembl

iece of performance art, a grand, cruel g

prop. A sacrifice on th

f what I thought was love, was extinguished. I

in. There

levator, my steps unsteady. Enzo watc

doors slid shut, I heard

push her off the pedestal myself. It will be