rrived precisely at nine, accompanied by Owen and two additional bodyguards. Sterling was conspicuously absent. A board meeting, O

hs. The detailed images loaded onto Vivian's high-definition monitor, and s

eversible damage to the uterine walls. It wasn't trauma. It was butch

on away. This was leverage. This was power. This

ly opaque medical jargon. Asherman's syndrome secondary to chronic instrumentation-induced trauma. She carefully avo

now, having clearly rushed from his meeting. Kara sat beside h

report across th

of any emotion. "Based on the imaging, your fiancée's ch

sible!" she shrieked. "You're incompetent

an said coolly. "Any competent sur

stared at Vivian, his gaze intense and searching. "Ar

added with deliberate precision, "Of course, if you want a more detailed explanation of the cause, I can provide one. The

n Sterling's arm. "What

pity. Just the cold, clinical detachment of a surgeon delivering facts. "I'm simply

e too sharp. "That won't be neces

at Vivian. Something unreadable flickered

ded, rising from her chair. "To help you b

the table behind her. In the hallway, she allowed herself a single, cold sm

tation room door open behind her. Footsteps. Heavy. Delib

Viv

different now. Less comm

believe our business is concluded. Your fiancé

lked around to face her, blockin

her voice remained steady. "

t. You speak to me with a contempt that feels... personal." He stopped inches f

e middle of the night," Vivian said, her French accent

at me like I'm something you scraped off your shoe." He leaned closer, his eyes boring into hers. "I've been doing my research, Doctor

als speak fo

past is a black hole." He tilted his he

, broke into my home, threatened my career, and now you're interrogating me about my persona

dangerous. "I'm asking why you feel familiar. Why every time I lo

tlantic travel can be disorienting." She made to s

nniversary, and I never saw her again. She left everything behind-her clothes, her books, everything except an old trench coat she'd owned since before we met." He paused, his eyes searching h

d he didn't even know it. The irony was a cold, sharp blade twisting in her chest. "I'm sor

e. You're none of those things." He paused, and when he spoke again, his voice was quieter,

round him, her heels clicking on the polished floor

dn't follow. But she could feel his gaze on her back, a predator'

out a long, shuddering breath. Her hands were shaking. He was getting too close. She had t