EN

he doctors' attitudes changed instantly when I mentioned Ethan Blackwood's name and showed them the cas

her for the preliminary procedures. "The surgery is s

k but her eyes sharp with suspi

got lucky. Found some

ho

ll explain eve

my worldly possessions. A sleek black car pulled up precisely at seven forty-

lls where even the streetlights looked expensive. We passed through massive iron gates bearing an ornate "B"

of glass, stone, and steel, perched on the hillside like a predator surveying its ter

th anxiety. What had

pen my door, it swung open from the outside. Ethan stood t

ver my worn jeans and faded sweater with

?" Ethan asked, not looking back a

Nine

he best nephrologist in the country." He spoke matter-of-factly, as thou

aid, the words f

. "This isn't charity, Brenda. Don't th

e me shiver, but I lifted

briefly to my lips before he turned away. "

ace big enough to park a car. A woman stood with her back to us, ga

said. "This is B

sa Blackwood was a striking woman in her sixties, all sharp angles and perfect posture. H

e like I was something unpleasant stuck to her shoe,

e word dripping with disdai

to check if I ha

ckwood," Ethan said, ignoring he

Clarissa approached slowly, circling me like

standing right here," I said.

nd flashed out, striking my cheek with surprising

n's voice crac

hissed, her face inches from mine. "Know your place. Whatever

ch it or show pain. "I apologize," I

on. "The board will never accept this... this nobody. Victori

n," Ethan replied coolly

o use at dinner," Clarissa sneered. "

l I tasted blood. Sa

conversation, I couldn't tell. "Brenda and I are getting married next week. The arran

ned. "This trash will

Ethan's voice was final. "Now, if you'll

m. I could feel Clarissa's glare burning i

id once we were in the hallway. "S

bbed. A ghost of a smile touched his lips

ay seemed endless, lined with artwork that belonged in museums.

arters,"

a king-sized bed, sitting area, and views of the gardens belo

oor on the far wall. "We'll maintain separate bedrooms

in slowly. "I'm sleepi

hing me with unnerving intensity. "Ce

wed hard

now, my mother is not your only obstacle here. Our engagement will make

andals," I said. "I'

s drifted over my face, lingeri

ance, this impossible situation, there was something magnetic ab

ing back. "Tomorrow, we shop for appropriate clothing.

orn clothes. "What's w

be late. And Brenda?" His eyes hardened. "Try not to antagonize my moth

ft, closing the

en slapped, insulted, and treated like property, all in t

rah. A soft knock interrupted my thought

ra. I've been assigned

aid?" I rep

ld you like me t

hought of her seeing my threadbare c

aid out a dress for you in the close

droom and found a black dress hanging softly splendor. Simple, elegant,

shower heads and heated floors. The hot water, as much as I wanted, witho

at beneath it, along with a velvet box containing a simple gold necklace. Dressing f

nstairs, following the sound of voices. I pau

s voice, not Clarissa's. "You can't

Ethan replied, his tone bored. "

ilies spent years cultivatin

interest in Blackwood Enterprises, w

ace, drink in hand. Beside him was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen in real life,

ing with satisfaction as the wom

. Her perfect features filled with disbelief. "T

to me. I fought

party. "Perfect timing. Come meet Victoria Chen. Her father run

. "What did he promise you? Money? Status? Whateve

a," Etha

interjected. "The girl should

e. "Ethan doesn't marry for love, honey. He marries for a

atened?" The words escape

"You have no idea who you're de

settled possessively on the small of my back, warm through

r clutch from the table. "When he ruins yo

ls clicking angrily

sipping her wine. "That

ces I'd never heard of. I struggled with the multiple forks, acutely aware of her noting each mistake.

excused herself with a c

n commented once we

oing to be like

was almost refreshi

rlfriend se

plicated. Our families have been pushing us together sinc

you want?" I

aze dropping to my m

He stood, moving around the table toward me with a predatory

head. "You should know, Brenda," he said, voice low, "that while our marr

sounded breathless

arm against my ear, "that in public, you

d I was sure he could he

ine of my jaw, thumb brushing over my bo

h the tension. Ethan stepped back, pulling a phone from h

r a moment, face hardening.

s finding mine

he ordered. "It

ice. "What about

complication. We

my throat. After everything, the deal, the humiliat

y, spinning me to face him. His e

at happens at the hospital, remember our arrangement. If you walk away

r. Even in crisis,

monster,"

into mine. "I'm insured. Agains

alance, I was trapped in a bargain with a ruthless man who saw me as property, and somehow, de

. And the devil was starting to