equin. Her fingers moved on instinct, but her thoughts were far from the fabric. Every time she blinked, sh

s a stone lodge

was in two months, and distractions weren't a luxury she could afford. But no matter how m

His eyes.

r size, her style-left anonymousl

r wanted to

to wear it just to s

en a wave of dizziness hit her like a punch. She

ag

e third tim

aying otherwise. And the nausea in the mornings

, sunglasses shielding her identity. The nurse didn't even raise a

was exc

he handed Valentina the re

said softly. "You're

opped out fr

we

t be. It s

it

rld a blur. The sun was too bright. Th

gna

unconsciously

t Dan

afae

ncy, but from dread. Either answer spelled disaste

f them discover

just a possibilit

-

ked the door behind her and collapse

fe spiraled so

lion. She had built her own name, rebuilt her brand, and survived leaving

weakness threatened

hone

coming over.

a closed

for days. She could barely hide the truth anymore-especially not

ina had lit a candle and made cha

aper bag full of pastries. "And not your usual fashion

a tight smile. "Tha

e been distant, distracted, and you haven't touched your ske

ina he

she te

en say the w

forward. "I

's eyes f

a whispered. "

here was one night. After the

. Please tell me you didn't sl

a nodded

Elena trailed off, w

lip, then whispere

th fell ope

aid quickly. "I don't even know who the

ll into stu

eful. So careful. You know what Dante's c

telling either of them. Not

ou don't have much. You're car

tterly. "Tell me som

-

o bed, exhaustion finally catching up to her. But

n't stopped thi

e, heart racing. She did

he te

e bloc

she want to s

, dragging a pillow over her head. The

didn't c

ally did, it br

-

a knock on the doo

t expecti

slippers and a robe, pee

od turn

s stood outside. Shar

e's

he door but le

ou want?"

tone flat. "Mr. Marino req

ulse

he sa

N

the door, h

r asked. H

r and a secret that could destroy ever

ing was about, it

nitely woul

s message. This time, it's a photo-her ultrasound picture, stol

this forever.