coffee did little to mask the scent of impending doom. Her assistant, Chloe, was alre

ianna?" Chloe asked

Kianna said, forcin

was thrown open with such force it slammed against the wall. Three peo

e've received an anonymous tip regarding multiple code violations. Fire hazards, unpe

orward. "We passed our annual inspection less tha

, with a flick of his wrist, plunged the studio into darkness.

crime scenes. They stretched it across the doors, the windows, the large dr

lead inspector said, handing her a sheaf of paperw

as swift, brutal, a

ing arm around her. "It's okay. Go home.

llow tape was secured. Her sanctuary, the physical manifestation of all her hard work and dreams, was now a p

frantic, jarring sound. The

ep, shuddering breath before answe

and reedy with panic, punctuated by a sob

affic, the city noise, everythin

ive. A truck... they said a truck lost control. He's at N

ess fluttering behind her. The man who had just destroyed her was now in

athing, the sheer terror in her voice.

n in the waiting area of the intensive care unit, looking small and

ched out, her hand cold and trembling, and clutched

n the bed, his head wrapped in thick white bandages. Wires and tubes snaked from his body t

calming tones. Multiple fractures, a severe

d to Kianna, her grip tightening, her eye

room for argument. "You're his wife. He needs you. You will stay h

s ashen. She put a hand to her chest, her breathing sud

ed on her lips

Kianna hear

ateful smile before allowi

ng through the glass at her unconscious husban

was helpless. Vulnerable.

er m

n the door to his room, the soft whoosh of air sealing them in

thought, had