ora
of the Manhattan private hospital
ht since childhood, moving from one foster home to another, t
outside th
ips hovered just an inch awa
the slight crack in the door. It was
rked and froz
age from the stairwell," Ethan
laced with hesitation. "Sir, if we do that, it will completely cover up
f ice. "Ilene cannot have an intentional assault scandal t
eized in a v
and over my mouth, pressing hard against my lips to force the
hat had clouded my eyes for the past
meat grinder of pure logic. He wasn't just choosing her over me. He was
I didn't scream. I didn't a
ely, terrif
pulled out my phone. I kept the screen dimmed an
I pressed my phone flat aga
Ilene's voice now. She was crying, a fak
bed. "I was so scared. I di
on, and recorded every single word. I recorded the proof tha
udio file and immediately synced it
were harder and much firme
tal room and locked the door
eavily encrypted number. It belonged to a t
the voice
low and steady. "I need to initiate the hig
od. Do you need me to prepar
hattan rain was streaking agains
replied
he corridor outside. Leather shoes a
and wiped the call
er my pillow, slid under the
de a sharp clicking sound as
ght the freezing chill o
looked down at me. I opened my eyes slowly,
as feeling. He didn't
ers onto the nightstand. It la
agreement, and let's p
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