ry

ily in a large coat, a wide-brimmed hat, dark sunglasses, and a

n stitches haven't even been out for a day," Delaney said, he

avering. "I have to go. The doctor sai

letely avoiding the main lobby. Before entering the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, I

lear, sterile wall of a

ile tiny bird, a complex web of wires and tubes connecting her to th

eyes. This was her. My beautiful daughter. T

elaney whispered softly beside me

their voices low but carrying in the quiet room. I recognized one of them, a

r voice dripping with malicious

er at me. "I wonder why her husband hasn't shown

y guess? She's probably just some rich guy's mistress. She got knocked up hoping to secure a bag and

rolled up her sleeves, about to march over and physically tear them a new one. I

ly wouldn't let some gossiping nurses insult my daughter's legitimacy. I took a deep, calming breath, wal

r on speakerphone. "Hello? Is this the hospital's VIP Complaint Department? Yes, my name is Avery Hayes, the patient from room six. I wou

ed the linens, her eyes wide with sheer terror as she

front of the premature infants," I continued calmly, completely ignoring her des

earful apologies. I just smiled at her coldly, turned on my heel, and walked aw

led myself away from the incubator,

steady as we walked out. "All I care about is m

o a quiet, empty courtyard behind the hospital t

d, had a sick, twi

ury sports car in the empt

cing the lapels of his jacket. "Liam, don't let Avery ruin your mood today," she purred, actively drivin

und her waist. "I know, Clara. You're

othing style, burying myself under a large coat, a wide-brimmed hat, and

ocking onto my disguised figur

bs. He was staring right at me. If he recognized me now, my entire plan