d in a plastic chair, the envelope clutched like a blade between her fingers. The hospital's background hum-the constant beep o

d every breath he made, and a pale blue sheet covered a frame that once stood firm and tall. Isla held

times. Every stipulation seared

ye

nnul

nctions as Ale

entanglement

expenses and take care of him for the long haul. But the cost wasn't just about busines

e in. She got up, s

as crying. Her body shook as muffled sobs ripped through her chest. She sat down on

zzed on her

then answered o

h concern. "What's going on? You

tely. Her breath came in

Nina asked again.

red. "Yes. It's..

ited for Isla to draw in a second be

d I got fired from the restaurant some time ago. Dad is unstable. The hospital

adually: "What ar

already worn, like her. "Alexander Milton offered me mone

ne was

hat the devil

offering full coverage of the hospital expenses, a private suite fo

You don't have to prostitute your life t

la said, though even she

ur dad's past is what's driving him to stalk

t argue. S

hat's helping,"

nce that

d, "Come home. We'

She paused. "I just... I needed

into this man's life and disappearing. You call

ear

the pho

The woman was compassionate, but firm. "We can only keep you insured until Frida

blinking fast

to her fath

ed so s

his hand. "I'm going to fix t

yes opening. Telling her not to do it. That she was worth more th

ood outside Milton Tower,

ed into the marbled entrance hall, a jarring con

onist blink

ve an appointment

licked to the security monitor before

urse

ce. It was glass and steel, perched high over the skyline like a throne ov

smoothly. "I didn't ex

" she said, leaving the con

lashed across h

, her voice firm amidst her raci

sed him.

. No news media allowed anywhere near him. And I desire assurance-in writi

ell. I'll have my lawyers inser

this is love. Don't

ched, but he

pe. It was heavier than expected. Custom-mad

her's i

and p

she s

signing away

hers. "Congratulations," he said, standing. "

way, throat

id, and she b

watched her deftly for a moment, something almost

tomorrow to bring you in for yo

h dropped.

, voice cold over ice.

d slapp

dd

ing. As if she were a

nder tossed back as he

aid no

elevator, wheezing fo

signed a

days. to be some