ion slowly focusing on the white ceiling tiles of a hospital room. A dull, throbbing pain rad

oice cut through the

air out of place. The morning light silhouetted him, making him look like a fig

ht?" he demanded. "What

her chest forced her back against the pillow

shadow falling over her. "I'm talking about your stunt. You resi

could she explain? How could she tell him that for five years, her entire existence had been a lie, a carefully constructed performa

was a weapon she couldn't use, not yet. The lie was a shi

ker of something unreadable crossed his face befo

stantly, his voice shifting from cold

er... No, I'm not coming right now... Because I said so." He pinched the bri

ave a broken arm and two fractured ribs. You'll be here for a few days." He tossed a platinum credit

e was in pain. He didn't thank her for saving his li

down on her more than her injuries. She had saved him. She had saved the man who des

by the nurses talking

. "And that woman with him on the phone, Isabella Rossi,

ed. "Poor assistant. Saves his life and he can't even

houldn't matter. This was part of the plan-to be invisible, to be underestimated. But it did

vitals. "You need to rest," the woma

arm to push the button for the pain medication. The IV line in her hand was a con

rm, a stark white symbol of her

blood cells through the concrete veins of the city. Somewhere out there, Julian w

aybe Sarah's way wasn't enough. Maybe the truth wasn't

llow. She saw her own resolve staring back at her. The gala had changed things. Seeing him, seein

just for S

ooking composed and powerful, speaking to reporters outside the gala. "I want to thank m

is arm, looking tearful and concerned. "We're just so gra

round Isabella, his expression softening as he looked at

paint himself as a caring boss and a loving partner. He was spin

o see her as a loyal dog, then that' s what he would get. A loyal d

re the night shift ended, Amelia asked f

e docto

ting pain in her ribs. She painstakingly got dressed with one arm, her movements slow and deliberate. S

Rossi walked in, carrying a bouquet

y. She placed the flowers on the table, then "accidentally" knocked ove

react. She jus

me. I was so traumatized by the whole ordeal." She leaned in closer. "He told me to tell you tha

was a lie. A pe

he light fall. It would have saved him the trouble of firing you." She straightened up

n her shirt clinging to her skin. She watched through the window as Isabella got into Julian's sleek black car. He

look up at the

les white as she gripped the doorframe. The promise to Sarah felt distant. The evidence on the USB drive felt inadequate. All s