woke up in a different hospital this time, a quiet

had the decency to look ashamed, b

s voice laced with practiced regret. He tr

tumbling out in a rushed, defensive stream. "But Gia was

All

eyes pleading. "You know that, right? I

g. No anger, no sadness. Just a vast, empty numbness. I was

arfully recounted how she had been the target of the mob, how Carter had

udacious it was

me to my room and saw the s

" he asked, a flicker

eal is done. I' m taking my m

allway to take the call, his voice a low, soothing murmur. I watched him t

s priority. It

my lips. Even now, he c

ater, his face a thundercloud. He was hold

e snarled, shoving

"GIA SALAZAR' S SECRET PLASTIC SURGERY: LEAKED PR

, her face marked up for surgery. It was Gia, before Carter had transformed her

voice echoing in the small room.

ings, the specific angles of the shots... they were Ca

" I said, my voice tired.

been jealous of her! You hate that you' re just

" I whispered, "

e, so twisted, that somethi

the searing pain in my ribs. "You think I' m jea

ged animal, the years of pain a

shield, a sacrifice for your sick obsession! You stood th

He was trying to defend himself, to rationalize his monstr

I was just a stand-in! A cheap replac

d, but I w

never loved me. You loved the idea

peak, to offer another l

a dangerous low. "Don' t you dare say you

lent, his

frenzy. Her "natural beauty" brand was shattered. Her s

al after an apparent suicide attempt. The ne

her games. I knew it

ilt and worry. He believed he wa

med me for