Chapter 23Sarah woke with a start.She was in Lily’s bed.Ethan’s arm was around her, his hand still loosely holding hers.Lily was snuggled between them, a peaceful smile on her small face.Embarrassment, hot and swift, flooded Sarah.She tried to disentangle herself without waking them.Ethan stirred, his eyes fluttering open.He smiled, a soft, sleepy smile. “Morning,” he […]

Chapter 22 Ethan’s protective gesture, shielding her and Lily from Olivia, sent a strange flutter through Sarah’s heart. A faint echo of a time when she had believed in his strength, his devotion.Before the betrayal. Before the pain. Lily, still shaken, clung to Sarah.“Is the scary lady gone, Mommy?” Ethan knelt beside them, his face

Chapter 21 Olivia Vance, her new heart beating strongly, her bitterness festering, decided she wasn’t done with Ethan Hayes. She had been recuperating at a private clinic, plotting her return. She still believed Ethan was hers. That Sarah was a temporary aberration. She arrived at the mansion unannounced, using an old key she hadn’t returned.

Chapter 20Lily’ s health improved dramatically.The gene therapy was working miracles.Soon, she was discharged from the hospital, declared in remission.Sarah’ s relief was immense.But her resolve to leave Ethan’ s house remained.She couldn’t stay. Not after everything.Ethan, however, had other plans.He had transformed one of the largest suites in the mansion into awonderland for Lily.

Chapter 19Ethan prepared a lavish meal.He set the grand dining table with the finest china and crystal.He even attempted a centerpiece with flowers from the garden.He wanted to invite Sarah and Lily to dinner. A proper dinner.A gesture. An offering.His demeanor had transformed.The demanding, arrogant CEO was gone.Replaced by a man who was cautious, respectful.

Chapter 18Olivia recovered from her heart transplant.The new heart beat strongly in her chest.She was discharged from the hospital, expecting to resume her place asEthan’ s fiancee, as the queen of his world.She arrived at Ethan’ s mansion, a triumphant smile on her face.She was shocked to find Sarah there.And Lily.Living in the guest suite.Clearly

Chapter 17The medevac helicopter cut through the night sky.Ethan sat beside Sarah, Lily cradled carefully in her arms, an oxygenmask on her small face.Sarah was pale, trembling, her eyes fixed on Lily.Ethan wanted to reach out, to comfort her, but he didn’t dare.The chasm between them, created by years of his cruelty, was too vast.They

Chapter 16Life in Havenwood was a fragile peace.Then, one evening, Lily’ s temperature spiked.A high, dangerous fever.She was struggling to breathe.Sarah rushed her to the small local clinic.The doctor, a kind, elderly man named Dr. Peterson, examined Lily, hisface growing increasingly grave. “Sarah,” he said gently, “Lily is very sick. Her leukemia … it’s fightingback

Chapter 15Sarah tried to build a quiet life in Havenwood.She found a job waitressing at the local diner, a small, friendly placecalled “Rosie’s.”The work was tiring, the pay was low, but it was honest.Lily seemed happier, away from the sterile environment of hospitalsand the oppressive tension of Ethan’ s world.But her health was a constant

Chapter 14Days later.The news of Ethan’ s massive reward had reached every corner of thestate.Marcus, Ethan’ s security chief, called.“Mr. Hayes. We have a credible sighting. A small motel. Rural towncalled Havenwood. About three hours north.”Ethan didn’t wait.He drove there himself, pushing his powerful car to its limits.Havenwood was a speck on the map.The motel