d in the sterile white room, a poiso

ce of color. She looked like a fragile porcelain doll, be

he whispered, not to him, but t

e from the doorway. "Cruel? Oh, I think he' s just being hone

sual ownership. She was dressed in a vibrant red dress that was a stark, almost violent, contrast to t

ed, her name a curse. "

star of the show, of course. To see the traitor who got what she deserved." She sauntered in

ieces clicking into place with sic

piratorial whisper laced with triumph. "Of course, it was me. Who

ric, the cold floor against her bare skin, flashed thro

ng. "We have no history of hatred.

timate obstacle. She had spent years carefully cultivating her relationship with Kade, positioning herself to be the next Mrs. Cordova, only to have th

ime. "You exist. That' s enough. You took what was rightfully mine. Did y

othing, Aria. No powerful family, no brilliant career. You' re

ria whispered, the horror dawning on he

ith a cruel satisfaction. "I wanted you to understand your place. Kade might be bo

eart. He has a ledger, a list of assets and liabilities. This marriage, for him, was a business deal forced upon him by his

e faltered, the vulnerability she so c

ssed, her voice los

ve up his power for you. You will always be his mistress, hidden in the shadows, a

y cracking. She grabbed a heavy glass vase from the bedside

with a sickening thud. Pain exploded behind her eyes, and warm, sticky blood began to

y, her face a mask of fury. "I will rui

aze, she saw Kendall' s expression shift with terrifying spee

ped to her knees, clu

nvincing, desperate plea. "I' ll leave. I' ll break up with Kade, I sw

ed by the sudden, bizarre pe

took a deep breath, and with a small, sharp cry, she deliberatel

ne sound of pain this time, f

moment, the do

s eyes took in the scene in a single, damning glance: Aria on the floor, blood on he

e rushed past Aria as

ice thick with panic. He knelt

logize to her, to tell her I would leave you alone. I just want you to be happy, to honor

t fit perfectly into the narrative he had built in his mind. Aria, t

nto Aria. The look in them was no longer ju

and took a menacing step toward Aria. He grabbed

inches from hers. "First you betray my com

The world dissolved into a kaleidoscope of pain and flashing lights.

managed to gasp, the words tas

eady carrying Kendall towards the door

hilling promise. "If anything happens to Kendall or my child," he sai

of his threat echoing in the sudden, deafening silence. She lay there for a long time, too broke

nto the room. A man' s voice, filled with alarm, called