spital's diagnostic imaging suite, her a

nine, accompanied by Owen an

ly absent. A board meeti

ear another encounter with the doctor

h a symphony of pained whi

inition monitor, and she studied them with the co

ws. The severe adhesions. The irreve

. The undeniable signature of mul

rt of her filed the

wer. This was a weapon she cou

, describing the damage in excruciating detail

ic instrumentation-induced trauma. She

b, and she would choose the ti

now, having clearly rushed from his meeting. Kara sat beside h

t," she stated, her voice devoid of any emotion. "Based on the imaging,

ible!" she shrieked. "You're incompetent!

ven more hysterical. "By all means. Get ten. Get twenty. Medicine wil

remor looked ugly now, spoiled

stared at Vivian, his gaze intense and searching. "Ar

ing. "None that would restore fert

ed explanation of the cause, I can provide one. The scarring pattern is quite specific.

erling's arm. "What is she

pity. Just the cold, clinical detachment of a surgeon delivering facts. "I'm simply

e too sharp. "That won't be necess

at Vivian. Something unreadable flickered

dded, rising from her chair. "To help you

ng the pieces of their shattered

e, cold smile. She hadn't detonated the bom

heard the consultation room door open b

o turn around to

Viv

different now. Less comm

believe our business is concluded. Your fiancé

lked around to face her, blockin

her voice remained steady. "

ct. You speak to me with a contempt that feels personal." He stopped inches fr

e middle of the night," she said, her French accent th

his is about you. The way you move. The way you speak. The way

ch, Doctor. Your employment file is remarkably empty before four years

als speak fo

e impeccable. Your p

, studying her. "W

, broke into my home, threatened my career, and now you're interrogating me about my persona

dangerous. "I'm asking why you feel familiar. Why every time I lo

, Mr. Carlisle. Transatlanti

d him, but his next wo

es. "Her name was Vivian too. She walked out of our home the morning after our anniversary, and I never saw her again. S

blade. "I've spent four years telling myself I don't care. That she was no

who spent two years being ignored across dinner tables and empty beds

ll. The divorce papers. T

ing three feet away from the truth, and he didn't eve

aid, her voice carefully neutral.

waver. "She was soft. Quiet. Desperate to

uieter, almost to himself. "But sometimes, the way

an said softly, "if she is no

's eyes

round him, her heels clicking on the polished floor

dn't follow. But she could feel his gaze on her back, a predator'

out a long, shuddering breath. Her hands were shaking. He was getting too close. She had t