office, a cup of coffee warming her hands. The adrenaline from the previou

a wide-eyed intern, studied her face with concern. "You oka

me back for the job, Julian. You know that." She paused, then finally gave voice

halfway to his lips. "Thir

When I gave birth, it was premature, chaotic. The hospital in Philadelph

in a pink hospital blanket. "They never let me see her. They said it would be too traumatic. But I never

. He nodded slowly, his voice firm. "I understand. Anything you need-hosp

e she could thank him, the private line on his desk buzzed. He answered it

ster's

d slightly. He listened for a long m

stant to the CEO of Kramer Industries. His tone was poli

like to retain Dr. Aella's services for his grandfather, Mr. Harriso

down at the tiny photo in her hand, lost in h

h his palm and mouthed two

liquid sloshing over the rim and onto her fingers. She barely felt th

s voice cool and unwavering. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Hayes. Dr. Aella's surgical sched

eing told no. "Dr. Foster, perhaps you misunderstand. We are pre

eplied, his tone firm. "Dr. Aella h

r. "We'll be in touch," Ryan Ha

d at Katherine, whose face was now

h, forcing the panic down. "I'm f

y, the wife he had discarded, but for Dr. Aella, the surgeon he needed. The

standing up abruptly. "I c

handle them. But be warned, Kate.

ribs. She had to find Chloe, and then she had to disappear before h

Industries tower, Emmett listened to Ryan Haye

s voice dangerously quiet. "A d

was quite adamant, sir," Ryan said. "He claims Dr. Aella

oy Emmett; it ignited his predatory instinct

to see who's behind the mask," he said, risin

oing to St. Ambrose. There isn't a door in

is mind-the way she had looked that last morning, calm and defiant.

about to move heaven and earth to find was the v