led, mended broken bodies, but it coul

ched life, stood over me. His face, once handsom

s. They found her. The orchid exp

e she lay, Veronica Croft, his true

commanded, his voice

ng away from a wound he'd inflicted. "My blood

r listened. He saw my ref

cruelty. He watched as I bled o

ok me, a whisper from a ter

Veronica... she wa

e faint, a ch

werful one... his wi

y a rival's jealous rage. Ethan's que

, no

il

ds flew to my throat, expecting the pha

th

whole.

c, the sterile white w

he one wh

on the wall

moned me. The day Ethan, paralyzed from a reckles

cond

ock. The d

's mother, imperious even

ht with forced composure. "My son, Et

stark contrast to the turmoil

Mrs. Va

's little hope. But we've hear

hings would

ions, especially those brought on by extreme arrogance and a disreg

d slightly. A f

ace a mask of frustration and pa

er?" he sneered. "Get on wit

gance. The sa

e devoid of warmth. "I'm afraid t

e flushing. "Mother, what

d. "Miss Hayes, please

r son's condition... it's quite hopeless, I'm afraid. Perhaps he should h

nched. "How

"Besides, I hear his girlfriend, Miss Croft, is on a valiant que

an's eyes blazed with a fa

Veronica wi

needing my services

rm. "Please, Miss Ha

for your son's predicament, Mrs. Vande

ng something against the wall, his ro

Let hi

ached me, her eyes red-rimm

Bridget O'Connell. My son... Liam... he was in the

nell. Etha

y hands. "They say you can perfor

cho. But this time,