?" I asked, my voice carefully

of surprise in his

brought her over to see your father

looking pale and delicat

d everything to bring me." She smi

His important work

a crucial design pres

that for Chloe'

ne moment for his pregnant wi

was a bi

ssed over Chloe, settling he

y glance

considerate of Chloe. She

oe, the delicate flowe

opinion had ceased

to pick up a

d the old file box. My bi

it, I turn

my father said, bl

with you and Liam for

her sister. She can' t be alone. Your penthouse has that specialize

for my allergies." Another

, Dad. I need rest, not a houseguest with constant needs. Chl

was not l

our stepsister! You will show her some

would cater to Chloe. H

, my voice low and firm. "And

like a lie, a pretense of

hen, his expressi

h us. We' d be happy to have her." He looked at m

. Always

under his roof, under his care

It changed noth

ging. "I need to run an e

to a small art supp

va, I'm feeling a bit faint. Could

course, Chloe. Ava, you don't mind,

s always, was C

" Liam added, as if tha

risy was

on played righ

go to my lawyer

d. "I'll meet

am fussing over Chloe, h

m made my escape prep

raight to

e papers w

nd visa applicati

er," my lawyer, Ms. Hayes (no relation to Ethan, thankf

rdan. A

more days of

ht abou

man whose child I had car

be a ghost fr

painfu

m' s attention was almost

oom, which suddenly had even mor

ncy" and "need for rest" as

as constantly av

hing her drinks, adjusting

was a constant

ace, a place I loved, dug up because Chloe sa

made a mistake and planted so

rse. Everythi

ed at her when he tho

disguised

s sic

part, reveled i

fragile invalid

e found me alone

she said, her voice sweet, laced with ma

e your mother's lungs," I repl

that. Yes. A nece

e widened, be

e accidents, Ava? Your two miscarria

od ran

uced them. The timing wasn't right for me. I wasn'

robably can't conceive after the transplant. I mentioned wanting to adopt. Liam, so thoughtful, planne