Broken Vows, A Scientist's Revenge

Dicker

vibrating with controlled rage.

cage. The phone lay on the gleaming marble floor, its screen

thin. My mind raced, searchi

lie to me. I saw you. Your face. That look of...

tched your protégé destroy my life's work, and you're accus

ng. "She's too kind, too gentle." He paused, his gaze sweeping over me, filled with a c

uinely believed Bambi, the master manipulator. The woman who had system

, on a mountaintop overlooking the city lights. "You are my everything, Aurelia. My partner, my equal, my soulmat

y rock. He had dried my tears when Kayla was diagnosed, swearing

was my t

ove mountains for me now stand by and watch me crumble? How could his love, once so

through the silence. Bambi. Fro

the sound, his face instantly

he reached her, saw her collapse into his arms, her body wracked with what l

hattered. It was a side of him I hadn't seen since the early days of our marriage, when a min

was all

part of me, the part that had loved him, wanted to help. I mo

eaching out. "I'm a neuroscientist.

touch her!" He shoved me, a violent, unexpected push

t my balance, my injured ankle screaming in protest. I cr

s fa

, anything, to break my descent. The edge

y calling out his name, the name I

ambi, his face a mask of terror and devotion. He was alre

g thud. A searing pain exploded behin

escent lights hummed above me, a sterile, unwelcome glow.

de, his head in his hands. He looked

took my uninjured hand, his touch surprisingly g

augh escaped me, but it was quickly s

tress. I didn't mean to hurt you." His voice was filled with a practiced sincerity that made

my spine. "I know this has been hard on you, Aurelia. But you're

He had meant them then. He had meant them when he fought his family, his board, everyone, to be with me.

ueling my research, my discoveries inspiring his empire. He had said our love was an

d

ce a balm, was a violation. His concern, a hollow pe

shing my forehead. "How ar

om his. "Don't touch me," I said, m

n the air. His eyes widened sl

on the ceiling. "Everything is wro

. "Are you still angry about the samples? I told you, I'll pay for ev

ith money. He didn't understand that some things, once brok

ryo-storage units. And I've contacted the best specialists to get your hand fixed." He gestured vaguely at my bandaged han

start? W

ed in, her face apologetic. "Mr. Swanson, there's a.

mbi? Is she alright?" He made to stand, his conce

fragile beauty. Her eyes were wide and watery, her lower lip trembling. She wore

ad to see you. I was so worried about Aurelia. And... and I just fe

out of bed. You're still recovering." He shot me a fleeting, almost apologetic glance, then

upposedly innocent eyes. "Oh, Javier, I just hope Aurelia isn't too mad at me. I really

sted. The sh

peccably tailored suit, entered the room. He carried a leather

s too busy fussing over Bambi, whispering rea

ional, cutting through the saccharine drama. "I have the

swung my legs over the side of the bed, ignoring Javier's startled gasp. My bandag

r's. He finally looked up, his face registering surprise, then

Aurelia?" he asked, hi

raging inside me. I opened the folder, pulling out the top document. It was a formal request

stared at the figure, her mouth agape. "That much? Aurelia, what are you trying to do?"

h Javier is worth? This is a drop in the ocean for him." My gaze flickered to Javier

t in front of Bambi. "That's enough, Aurelia. This is not the time or place." He turne

urelia's assistant was saying that she wants to sue me for something about her research." She looked at me, her eyes wide and i

wearing thin. "Aurelia, what is this n

ured to Mr. Harrison, who offered a curt nod. "If she doesn't take responsibility, I will pursue legal action. For theft. For

" His voice was low, dangerous. "Don't thin

There was no love left, only cold, hard a

is eyes widened slightly as he recognized something. The top page, the inves

the tense silence. "Oh no, Javier! My head! I feel diz

ling! What's wrong?" He scooped her up, his face pale with concern. He didn't even spare

t, my voice desperate, lace

ger. "Don't push your luck, Aurelia. This isn't over." He then carried Bambi out, leaving me a

firm. "Mr. Harrison, expedite the d

y. "As you wish,

, free from Bambi, free from this toxic nightmare. I wou

head throbbing, but my resolve solidified. I needed to g

d in a luxurious scarf, a faint smirk playing on her lips. She saw me. Her eyes nar

er voice dripping with faux sympathy

d triumphant, sent a jolt