My Heart, His Spare Part

Johns

and, but my voice was steady

What grand plan has my little firecracker come up with now?"

he Powell family." My words were calm, dev

rp intake of breath. "Kianna? Are you serious?" His

a logical step for Johnson Media. A strategic partnership." I didn't mention th

I'll start the arrangements immediately. Aaden Powell is a formidab

a wave of exhaustion washing o

e rest. We'll talk details wh

, a raw ache in my chest. The hospital room, once a sanctuary, now felt like a cage. My heart, sti

, adjusted my pillows, his every movement precise and attentive. He still anticipated my needs, a habit ingrained over years. He'd open the blind just enough for the morning sun,

irectly to Dariana's room down the hall. It was a constant, shimmering reminder of his

s, a strange impulse seized me. "Grant," I said, turning to him, my voice deliberately c

anna, that area isn't safe. Espe

sped, her eyes wide with feigned alarm. "Kianna, no! That's too dangerous! You just got out of the ho

"Is my safety no longer your priority, Grant?" I challenged him, m

ariana, then back to me. The silent struggle was clear. H

is voice flat, devoid of emotion. "But I insist on ta

at if something happens to you? I can't be alone." Her voi

illicit activities. It was reckless. It was stupid. But I had to know. I had to push h

ed them, the conflict was gone, replaced by his usual stoic mask. "Very well." He

r lip trembled.

tone firm but gentle. He pulled aw

rotests turning into a stubborn resolve that somehow always won with him. She sat in the back, huddled and pale, occasi

stretch from Grant to Dariana, pulling him to h

the thrill of danger. It was about severing the last threads of a toxic relationship. About

o choose me. To choose my safety, my well-being, over her. But the new Kianna knew better. She k

keletal giants against the bruised sky. Grant parked the armored SUV near a crumbling building. "It's too ris

r whom? As he got out, I saw him wince, a small gesture of pain that he quickly masked. He op

d, a sliver of genuine concern p

missing it. "I'm fine.

back of the car, her face a pale mask of fear. "Gran

didn't look at me, his gaze scanning the shadows. He wa

remains of old machinery, the wind whistling through broken windows. Suddenly, my foot caught on a lo

, pulling me close. He twisted, shielding me from a sharp piece of rebar that pro

impact. He staggered, but held me steady, his body absorbing t

, her fear for him overshadowing her own f

mself in harm's way for me. A wave of conflicting emotions, sharp and painful, wa

touching his lips. "It's just a

sing in pitch. "Look at it! It's gushing

n tether appeared, vibrant and pulsating, tightening around Dariana even as Grant held me. It was a stark remi

s was all part of the act. I forced myself to remain impassive. "Let

roken warehouse, dislodging a heavy metal sheet from the

d arm. The metal sheet struck his already injured arm, a dull clang echoing through the caverno

" She clung to him, her face buried in his chest. "Kianna, how could you be so r

d heavily against the wall, his eyes scanned the collapsing structure,

ed on the danger, on ensuring our safety. My safety. But it wasn't my safety he truly

lling back from Grant, her eyes blazing with hatr

at on his forehead. Even in his semi-conscious state,

act, was ultimately driven by his perverse devotion to Dariana. He hadn't saved me for me. He had saved me for

nd steady. "Let's go back." There was nothing left to test. Nothing left to p