wall for a long while, her cheeks stil

dinners, where she'd crossed paths with Anthony more than once. Every encounter had been strained, electr

felt it seemed fate had

abbed moments earlier sent another

llapsible white cane from her bag. Instead of calling Vera to guide her, she steadied herself a

d until the footsteps faded, and then eased into the chair by the bed. The steady rhyt

ad barely survived the flames since he had been lounging in the bathtub at that time. He ha

he skin that had been rebuilt over endless surgeries. The rough scars of old bur

hold herself together. "Linds, your brother's burns are severe, and infection is a constant threat. We can't afford to

d described each surgery performed on her brother, every new graft, every faint

had been the reason behind his insistence on marrying her after her family's downfall, that he had pulled he

n she thought had rescued her was th

her grateful and devoted, so she would never dig into her f

nd tightened before s

ave the slightest

lled his name again and again, yet he remained stil

his hand while sobs tore at her throat. "I promise I'll avenge our family.

a long while before she fo

tside the emergency room, she pu

he button, a voice she recogni

nded it as a surprise. Aren't you happy tha

against the floor. Shock opened her unseeing eyes wide. No

the way she sang her words was som

you want some help?" A gentle hand picked

ugging the wall for support, she shuffled her way to the stairwell

ER rooms, Matthew let Kyra cling

as you landed. Don't just hop in a cab next time. I'm glad you only got a little banged up. Is your head s

strict, he spoke to

d up, recognized Matthew, and offered a smile. "Mr.

ooped her arms around his neck with a bashful grin. "Of course, we are," she ans

ngle instant, and Matthew's voice slipped

t the taste of iron filled her mouth. Every gentle gesture Matthew had ever given

into the Gordon home and offered marriage to her instead? When had their affair even begun? Had

r breath hitched as the rising panic t