ssed carefully. I was s

nd me by

than?" she asked, her v

" I replied, keep

n in her eyes. She sensed my defiance, th

h, Ethan. Remember the pl

ng hung i

leave, to

just need

where alone," she sai

men in dark suits stepped out fr

seize

" I demanded, struggl

a smug smile playing on her lips.

the street, but down to

shed, smelling of c

windowless room, locking th

his time, I was awake.

s later, Chl

esigner watch, its gold cas

she cooed. "A token of my lingering a

watch, then at h

arling. Despi

isy was br

refuse, Derek sauntered

en him. The "fragile" and "sickly" a

h from Chloe's hand befo

miring it. "This will

ped his own old, cheap digital

an have this. It's

ing – annoyance? – crossing her fa

me, her expression

ce devoid of any emotion,

k, though I ha

ze clinical. "Your infertility. I want children

orchestrated by her in my past

riumphant gleam in her eyes. "As soon as th

ere falling into place,

d was different. And I