th blood, her body numb with exhaustion. The trauma rush had

he couldn't help but wonder if the mysterious, dangerous stranger on her c

d before leaving: his face, unconscious but striking.

l. One of the most powerful men in the count

the screen, her

dragged in

at her elbow. "Dr. Blair? The VIP wing requested yo

g her mind back to ho

explained, lowering her voice. "His savior and fiancée, Miss Carroll, specifically

opped. Keith Buc

tiney had taken him from her apartment. Destiney was pos

ling churned in her gut-Destiney hadn't called for her out of si

d into the VIP suite, taking a deep b

fr

hospital bed, pale but alive. Sitting beside him, calmly

ed around, listening intently as Destiney tearfully recounted a vague, heroic tale of "finding hi

instantly smoothed her expression into bright, sisterly warmth. "O

nding. "This is Mr. Buchanan's savior, Miss Destin

, validated by the hospital staff. Ice flooded her veins. She looked at her si

r of pure malice. Elena thought of Leo, lying in a care facility miles away, his life hanging by a thread that on

Elena's, her fingers pinching tightly into

oprietary and cold. "She works at this hospital. I specifically asked fo

ting her to the scene solely to parade her theft, establish dominance, and keep

ter," politely deferred to Elena. "Dr. Blair, since Miss

The patient came first-even if that patient was the bil

bandage Destiney had carelessly applied over Elena's intricate sutures-and re

ofessional authority. "Look at the localized vasodilation and early signs o

tude of the Buchanan family was a palpable force in the room, and Destiney quickl

y, the doc

d pulled her into an empty stairwell. The heavy door

sk fell away

enomous glee. "To go from hero to a nobody, riding my coattails? I

ce shook with suppressed rag

have to. I need money, I need status, and most of all, I need a healthy kidney. The docto

a like a physical blow,

sister. Once I am Mrs. Keith Buchanan, I will see to it that he gives you enough money to take care of Leo for the rest of his life. But if you s

Destiney was spoiled and selfish, but she

t Elena's ear. "And from now on, Keith Buchanan

rwell, her high heels clicking with

w to her chest, her body trembling with a despair so profound it felt like