ar

he present. "I know this is a lot to process. The IVF proc

Elizabeth Pierce had been drilling into me. "I un

ately. However..." She hesitated, glancing at Theodore's medical file. "There are so

aily update on Theodore's vital signs. "I'm sorry, but I need t

still felt surreal from the back of the Pierce family's Mercedes. Three months ago, I'd been taking the T between MIT classes. No

pectfully before stepping out, leaving me alone with Theodore. His latest physical therapy session had left his ski

ured a small amount of lotion into my hands, rubbing them together until the lotion warmed. Then I leaned in, starting with his forearm, moving slowly, carefully, as if handling a sleeping lion. My tou

under my breath, shaking my head. "You know, I'm not exactly the type who falls for a pretty face, but you do make it difficult not to appreciate the view." My voice was light, teasing

igh. "I bet you used to intimidate everyone with just one glare," I said, leaning forward to smooth some lotion o

thing tugged at the edge of my awareness-a subtle shift, so slight I almost missed it. I

ith laser focus. Not the vacant stare from our we

are

tched. My heart thundered in my chest, and every nerve felt electrified. This was the man everyone had warned me about, the man who bui

n," I managed, nearly

llowed by a flood of medical personnel and security teams. Elizabeth Pierce arrived in a whirlwind of

after a battery of tests. "Mr. Pierce's cog

d, "My boy, my

n, ever the opportunist, immediately stepped forward to sup

g from Theodore Pierce's penetrating gaze. He pushed himself upright in bed, ignoring the medical te

d with military precision, leaving only Mrs

his chin in my direction. His voice was

le composure wavered. "Sir, this

es. Theodore's expression hardened into something th

t o