way from the

the nearby hospital restroom. Pushing the heavy

setting, cupped her hands and splas

r gasp, but it cleare

e reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were bloodshot. A thin sme

her face dry, and threw it into the tra

ck out into th

at the end of the

t, stepped out. He wore a pristine gray

ly avoiding hers. He stopped a few feet aw

ound checkbook. He ripped a check fr

ted I give this to you, ma'am,"

blank check. Cole's bold, arrogant signa

ss," Linden added, shifting uncom

e insult washed over her, a wave of cold

fifty feet away, and Cole thought he cou

rs gripped the top and bott

tion, she tore the check

iet hallway. She put the pieces together and tore

e shock. His professional, emot

per fluttered from Alya's hands, la

t, hollow whisper that barely carried over the hum of the hospital

nodded nervously, quickly

ally running, clearly eager to escape

lastic chair against the wall.

with trending hashtags. ColeAndAngelle V

s. Her fingernails dug so deeply

true love," on

? The invisible Hayes

hoed down the hall, cutting through

looke

ore a tight, black designer dress that hugged

massive, extravagant b

moved instinctively, blocking the

Angelle's smug, per

away. She offered Alya a

he terrible news.Out of concern I came to

hite lilies. Flowers exclusively a

Alya's blood boil. The heat rushed to

is a restricted family floor. Mist

for a fraction of a second. Her

oser, invading

, her voice dripping with venomous intent. "He could

mage of Cole sleeping in Angelle's bed hi

forced her spine to remain rigidly straight

ched out a manicured hand, pretending to

caught the fluorescent light. It was a limited-edition Cart

t think. S

away violently.The sharp smack of skin agai

out a dramatic, high-pitched gasp

vator banks, as if checking to see if

doors pinged

ster, stepped out. She took i

er, her boots stomping on the linoleum. She positioned he

he hell out of here," Haylee snarled at A

wer lip, instantly

muttered, her voice trembling artificial

heels clicking rapidly as sh

ntil the doors closed. The adrenaline th

n to tremble

r arms tightly around Alya, pulling

ed, her voice thick with unshe

. The smell of her sister's familiar vani

roken sob that tore pai

her cry for exactly one minute. T

ders firmly, forcing Aly

that toxic marriage?" Haylee ask

torn pieces of Cole's blank check

ymbol of her worthles

er tear-stained eyes ha

lee and gave a sl