oe

aced by the sterile white

im experience, stood over my bed. He glanced at my chart

ed with the dark magic infused in the Ro

as extinguished befo

pital pillow without a sound. Deep in the core of my being,

owed a photograph Michelle had posted-Jackson's broad back, with a ca

Jackson finally entered my room. He had been absent the entire night. The

. I struck his hand away with w

my shaking finger poi

's Command. "Be quiet and listen to me, Chloe!" His

st something hard and unyielding within me. A strange, cold

the cloying pressure of his aura as if it were a thick cobweb. I rose to my feet on

re of defense. "Everyone was watching. I cannot risk m

affection crumble into cold ash. "My life i

. I am simply not re

escaped my throat. I squared my shoulders, met

ect you, Jacks

he sterile air, hea

l never survive in this world without me." He lif

iron wire, hooked deep behind my ribs, was torn out root and all, leaving a raw,

ing for breath as the re

e as he walked out the door, leaving me a

fell silent. But beneath the silenc