“What?” I asked. No answer. “Claire?” Vincent straightened. The baby’s heartbeat filled the room. Fast. Steady. Then suddenly slower. Much slower. Dr. Bennett moved the probe again. The heartbeat recovered....
“How?” “Your mother used a specialist in Cleveland. That specialist had once worked for a physician we retained.” “That is not an answer.” “I paid someone to compare old blood...
Arthur’s face tightened. “Again?” “Collins says it clicked three times before the test failed.” “Same as last month?” “Sounds like it.” Arthur took the notebook page she handed him. “You...
Only my name typed in black ink. Inside was a photocopy of a letter. My handwriting. My first letter to Dominic. Dominic, I know you asked me never to contact...
“Why?” “Because Hannah asked me not to.” His jaw tightened. He removed his phone. Within three minutes, he had someone from Margaret’s physician’s office on the line. Within another five,...
My mouth went dry. “And where is Madeline?” Hannah’s expression changed. Compassion replaced anger. “She died four months ago.” The brass key cut into my palm. “How?” “Lily said she...
“What?” Roman’s voice dropped. “He could have given you a hundred things. Ask him why he chose the one thing he knew I would recognize.” Noah’s face went pale. Roman...
Finally, he asked, “If you had money right now, what would you do first?” “Find somewhere warm for Lily.” “Then?” “Doctor.” “Is she sick?” “Ear infection, probably. She had one...
Then she began acquiring shares through carefully structured legal investment companies. Slowly. Quietly. Never enough in one place to draw immediate attention. Lucian taught her less obvious things. How to...
“No hesitation?” “No.” “You’re sure?” “Yes.” He lifted one eyebrow. Elena corrected herself. “Yes, sir.” Dante opened the driver’s door. “You know engines.” “A little.” His eyes sharpened. The lie...
“My room?” Dominic looked at Sophia. “You requested freedom from physical intimacy before you even knew there was a bedroom involved. I anticipated the concern.” “I didn’t request anything. I...
“Queen Anne.” Lily helped her inside. The woman looked nervously at the meter. “I don’t have enough cash with me.” Lily’s chest tightened. She had one bill left. Twenty dollars....
“Always do what?” “Lecture me.” “Grant, we’ve been married three days.” “Exactly. Three days, and you’re already acting like you control everything.” The absurdity almost made me laugh again. “You...
Nobody answered immediately. That answered everything. Victor. Alessandro leaned back. “Get out.” “Listen—” “Get out.” They did. Nobody returned. Family hurt differently. Marco visited three times after Alessandro left intensive...
We. Claire remembered that word. Then success accumulated. Whitmore Capital Solutions grew from three employees to thirty, then one hundred, then more than four hundred. Daniel changed gradually enough that...
Then she said quietly, “Come with us, Nora. Please.” I should have refused. But families do not become strangers all at once. Some stubborn part of me still believed there...
Instead, the house was elegant—gray stone, tall windows, acres of landscaped grounds stretching toward the water. Security was discreet but everywhere. Dante waited in a library. His right hand was...
“May I?” Harper didn’t know what he intended, but she nodded. His finger touched beneath her chin, tilting her face toward him with astonishing gentleness. “I don’t mock women, Harper.”...
“That was not the important part of that sentence.” Elena smiled. The front door opened behind them. The room changed. Natalie noticed before she understood why. A conversation near the...
“Was the house always like this?” Walter glanced at her. “No.” That one word told her everything. Nathan waited in a study overlooking the water. He stood near the window...