From Ocean's Grave To Queen

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ged something deep inside me, something that still recognized true fear. I tightened my grip on m

s hand clamped over her mouth. Another was fumbling with her bag. The third just watched, a cr

d with a yelp. The one grappling with the bag turned, startled, and I used his momentary confusion to land a precise jab to his throat. He gasped for air, clutchin

ove my knee hard into his groin. He howled, doubling over. A quick u

wn. I turned to the whimpering woman, who was now huddled again

tion. It was Hayleigh. My stomach dropped. The univers

"Get up," I said, my voice flat. I took off my jacket, a sharp, tailored blazer, and draped it over h

ing her amidst the groaning thugs. The irony wasn't lost o

re surprised to see me, even more so when they heard who the victim was. When I emerged, the early morni

h you, Eleanor? Are you trying to kill her? First the car, now this?" His voice was a low

behind my eyes. "What happened to me, Blake? You happened. You and your naive littl

to hit her with your car. How you attacked her in the alley. Ho

e one I lost alone, the one he didn't even know existed. My ferti

oad first? Did she tell you she' s been systematically destroying everything we built?" My voice rose, raw with a pain that felt

, confusion warring with anger

ened then, and you won't listen now. You made your choice, Blake. You c

han ever. The media, fueled by Hayleigh's tearful testimony and Brock's vengeful whi

She wore a delicate, flowing gown, looking every inch the fragile, ethereal artist. He gazed at her with an adoration that was a punch to my

onfront them, but I placed a hand on his arm. "Do

ying her head into Blake's shoulder. He looked at me, a complex mixture of pity and accusation in his eyes, th

m, splashing cold water on my face. As I pushed open the stall door, Hayle

rful news." She touched her stomach, a delicate, possessive gesture. "Blake and I are expectin

ords were a cruel twist of the knife. I remembered Blake' s joyful plans, the name we' d whispered

tting the suspense build, her eyes gleaming with mali

hter, years ago, before everything shat