rington's p

ou need money to cover your mother's lawsuits. Take it and en

e of the Grand Prix Association elite, placed a t

"Auntie, you've made a mistake. Ry

apartment. Is there some sort of misunderstanding? Take this money, Claire. If you're set on seducing him, don't cr

herself with the coffee, Claire se

rassing bag of money. Money! She had been re

he money bag high in the air. Bills swirled ever

s throwin

Don't let the

furious. She must be the ex-wife Adrian Blackwood left when he died in th

n't want it, but we do need it! A wo

had moved from most envied heiress to scan

n shower, Claire saw a black sedan parked at the curb. Through the rain-streaked gl

emerged, his driver standing over

condemnation, though. How could Ryan's mother have been led to do th

e was low, cutting through the rain. "You shoul

ll of bitter satisfaction a

, deep chill fi

ngton live in peace. You pay for your mo

nly, rain plastering her hair to her face. "My mothe

Now she's dead, and that's only one life." Adrian's hand snapped out, his fi

at last understood. It wasn't divorce or alim

ou wish," She shivered, ratio

hold and flung herself in the

he stomach-twisting crunch of her body on metal

reamed, staring at the woman, lying in a

er bloody, unconscious form up into his arms. Visceral

, to the hos

Blackwoo

g rain and her blood. He felt her hard, icy finger

n't sleep!" he comma

ce hardening to a st

Harringt

hours. The agony was everywhere. She tried to sit up, clenchin

serious trauma from the crash, and. you've lost

rned chalk-white

but you must focus on your recovery. You're young; you'll have other chances."

ch

r ch

their bitter, hateful last encounter. Adrian's revenge had not only stolen her mot

fell, silent

pendant on the bedside table. She vaguely remembered ya

l pendant that she had lost years ago while saving a boy from an

? What doe

ton and Felicit

arition!" Felicity Monroe stormed in, angry. She saw the

from her. "Why h

me in," Claire replied softly. "As

sive blouse and pulled out an exact, duplicate half-heart pendant. "See? Adrian has one

s pendant. "A symbol of lo

tiny accident and I saved Adrian. We exchanged these pendants as an inside secret. I wa

her, her sneer frigid. She knew

rting away. "Nonsense! What can you possibly know of our shared p

t possible she had made a

"I am the rightful future Mrs. Blackwood. If you continue schemin

I told you this patient recently

slammed th

g. She wagged a finger at Claire. "You.

ilent, leaving th

g! You were divor

ion. "Instead of lecturing me, go find your fiancé. My child is missing. The lif

ward. Adrian stood hidden in the shadow of the

shock and the miscarriage, the doctor believed that she would

longer ha

status, her pride, her name. He h

rmed in Adrian's chest. He

Blackwoo

l of Ms. Harrington's hospital and medical fees as you reque

seeing Felicity exit the h

is Miss Monroe. Shoul

urst of irritation. Felicity's melodrama

ire's wild loveliness? he grimly wondered, involuntar

ompany,"

Harringt

s running her bony belly, mourning the brief, wasted life. Felicit

s. Harrington. Mr. Gallagh

warning was still present. "I don't

w my mother went to see you! I'm sorry! Open the door! Let's talk!" He had flown in fro

ar she won't p

nded him softly, "Sir, Ms. Harrington

?!" Ryan out

n desk. It was Adrian's baby. He spu

behind him with a thermal lunchbox. Adrian had found himself unable to

snapped forward, fist slamming into Adrian's jaw. "What

Adrian. Catching Ryan advancing towar

ssociation driver and the CEO of Blackwood-bro

hting!" some

tion. She turned her wheel

out right now! Two men

Claire was blind! How could she fall

e way, looking dangerous. "What about you? You can't even stick up for her ag

d door slide open as C

ed the phone, her face paling. "What? Ms. Harr

Ryan, letting go of Adrian's shir

ip bleeding, his face gro

phone. "Wher

know. She lef

sake, if anything happens to her, I will do anything to make your family'

leeding. Should we call a doc

f. As soon as Ryan was out of sight,

antic expenses of Harrington Enterpr

Harringt

one ringing with messages summoning her to se

r, laughing at her own b

gan. Claire pushed the wheelchair has

all right? Do y

blocked her path. Claire knew him: h

ulder at the gaudy gold

ent for Ms. Harrington, yeah?" Felicity

l, she was in debt by millions. Short of a club that traded reputation and

usal to accept anything flashing in her eyes. She was

her tone crisp. "I'm here t