A Fake Marriage With The Real Tycoon

re a raw whisper, barely audible

on the rain-streaked windshield ahead. "I have

tured to dissect it. All that mattered was the car was moving, s

st to her cheap, soaked polyester uniform. The warmth was seeping

ent later, warmer air flowed from the vents, caressing her cold, damp skin. He did it without a

omplained about the

he comparison was so stark, so b

emergency room entrance. Haskell was out of the car before the driver cou

nes, hurried footsteps, and the low murmur of

ayn

ce etched with worry, wringing

ed? Is she okay?" Al

he was complaining about her stom

rong hand gripped her elbow, steadying her. Haskell. He

board approached th

Haskell stepped forward. "W

is face, and a flicker of recognition crossed her features.

Of course. Ri

oors into the ER proper. Alayna looked

al," he said, his voice low, answering her unspoken qu

s met them in the hall

iminary scan. Your mother had a rupture. It

in the sterile air, h

d on what we're seeing, it's likely Stage II gastric cancer. We need

a hammer blow, shattering the last of her compo

are yourselves. The surgery, followed by chemotherapy... it's a long road. And the costs will be su

dred thousa

outside the realm of her reality, that it di

pinprick. She was vaguely aware of Haskell standing be

" she asked, he

ctor n

ital bed, an IV line taped to the back of her ha

r's voice was weak. "Your

l. She collapsed into the chair by the bed, grabbi

burden. I don't want the treatment, baby. We can't afford it. I do

"Don't you dare say that. We are going to fight this. I'll get the mo

ted into a restless sleep, then

idor. He pushed himself off the wall as she approached. For a mom

did

l have my assistant follow up with you regarding the Knight Foundation's patient as

cept charit

id. "I'm offering information. It

ay, his footsteps silent on the linoleum floor, dis

She pulled his jacket tighter around herself-she still had it, she realized with a start-