per on the floor were
first showing disbelief, then quickly
re she
r," he roared, his ey
r lock, and the lock click
ide. It turned the
remained unusually calm. She recalled the aftermath of her parents' funeral. Ho
less. This is the crucial moment. If she doesn't
incessant cursing. "This has never been about Brandi. It's about my parents' trust fund.
iracy was now laid bare, hanging in the sterile air between them. They couldn't comprehend how sh
concern for his niece completely
gh the walls. "Your parents are to
nged
ted. A clumsy, blatant
covering her eyes with one hand as if too afraid to look. But Arena saw i
, fleshy hand reached for her throat.
back down. She
hand was just inc
in a fluid arc. The movement was concise and
tip pierced the back of
sound rang out as the blade
tic pain. He pulled his hand back, clutching it tightly, and brigh
y woman, you stabb
ing the leg of the metal medical cart. The cart collapsed with a deafening crash of steel and
nd stepped barefoot onto
her," Arena spat, her voice dripping wit
ling finger pointed at Arena, her face contorted with fear
s were fixed on the door.
mo
to block her way. "You're not go
r away with astonishing force. "Get out of my way," she roared. "You vam
that he was going to call the pol
ers who locked her up. Their words were against her words. A
e door and rushed
corridor were blinding. The air here sm
k back. She st
Her hospital gown, open at the back, billowed be
tion, her immune system collapsed. She could only drag herself along. She could only crawl. She had been a resource they used up and then discarded, a blo
time, she ran on her own two
corner, a figure
is. She was pale and haggard, but her eyes he
ned, reaching out to grab the sleeve of her
is like a spark o
ook over e
She swung her elbow back sharply, striki
"puff." She bent over, staggered backward, and fell
lways expected, and always received everything. This girl who, for her
know what the doctor said. You know it will cripple
orner. They saw Brandy lying on the ground, with Arena standi
de, forming a united front
u've done!" B
l for this!" Gran
d, pointing at her, his face
group. But she was no
se and poison. She walked toward the elevat
rs slid open. Sh
them, she saw her reflection in the polished steel
n't blood
s fr
/1/118273/coverbig.jpg?v=6b9cd38c241ff1b9f2cb67310bdd90bd&imageMogr2/format/webp)