dside like I was m

ines of pain around her eyes were finally gon

al blow knocked the air from my lungs. I crumpled to the floor

I made arrangements. The words "death certificate" and

holding a small, heavy box, my phone buz

ened

k negligee. The camera panned, and there was Hudson, unbuttoni

ing down on hers. The sounds were grotesque, in

of me, a small, stubborn part

dy wasn't even cold. And h

ails digging into my pal

gain. A text mess

s and bring it to the Four Seasons. She was very frighten

. He was demanding I cater to the woman who had effec

she was dead. He had

rrangements, my movements robotic. I b

ad taken everything. N

his penthouse suite. He o

ok you s

ag, my face a bl

rks on my palms where my nails had dug in. A

started, rea

olent, involuntary re

the air. A dangerous look enter

my voice flat and de

w tightening. "You dare

ideo, of his hands on her body, wa

me against the wall, his mouth crushing mine in a brut

against my lips. "She's fine. I'll buy her the best doctors,

e fits need to have a limit, Aleen. Cross it again

and hollow. He didn't know. The ir

to me? What was more terrifying

e suite door

e officers stormed

estigating an incident at City General Hospital. A patient, Ira Ha

ehind the sofa. Even she looked shocked th

n did the

d, pointing a fin

dy. "She did it. She was hysterical and caused

mprehend the betrayal. My breath hitc

what are

a corner, away from the police.

ut you... you have nothing. No one. I own you. I can keep you for the rest of your life. I'll get

l I could hear was the ru

just break. It

licker of the man I once loved. There was

evastation. He flinched, for just a second, a t

have security footage from the hospita

cture whatever evidence was neede

hot. A laugh, sharp and

etic, ridiculous clow

And I had paid for it