y credit card her brother had given her. She spent most of her time poli

so hard she had to run to the bathroom

a cold. But the feeling persisted. A ter

eir few, infrequent moments of intim

pregnancy test. Back in the hotel room, she stare

as pr

man she was trying d

. She couldn't have this baby. She couldn't brin

iately scheduled an appointment f

s far crueler than

. You've suffered from chronic fatigue, stress, and malnutrition over the past few years. Your uterine lining is d

staying up all night, sacrificing her own health to drag Juli

t stomach. Her mother was gone. The only blood relative she had left in

o, she thought, her eyes hardening. This is my baby. Mine a

and embracing this new future, h

amiliar male voice spoke.

Who is

p. Do you rememb

been a senior when she was at MIT,

mber. It's been a long ti

er thought the prodigy herself would re-enter the field. I thoug

ll, bitter laugh.

t pressing. "I'm calling to formally inv

re, and we desperately need a Technical Director. The only person I co

s," he continued. "It was five years ahead of the industry. Kathryn, your talent shouldn'

t had been so long since anyone

sensing her hesitation. "I just need you. Kathryn, co

light in her dark world. She b

hild. And she would give them a

officially repor

sharply cut white power suit she had bought with Alistair's card. Her long hair, usually tied in a messy bun, fell in s

e team. Nexus Core was a startup, but it was full of energy an

ith Caleb, discussing the projec

ed in. Behind him, a

n Kathryn's

Julian? What are

ore," Julian said, his eyes scannin

The radiant, breathtakingly beautiful woman radiating absolute confidence? He felt a violent jolt

eting," Julian finished, his voice slightl

run out of money after leaving Julian? Julian, look at her, she's so pitiful. Why don't you ask C

stantly. "Ms. Sterling,

voice ringing with absolute authority. "Kathryn is our new Tech