BENEATH THE CONTRACT BRIDE

mere resonance of his words threaded heavy in her mind like a thunders

ife. For

nd as her quivering fingers gripped the steering wheel of her tiny little car.

ally even th

iral. She quickly glanced at the screen and saw Sophia'

hia, I ju

ia's voice was clinging to the edge

ropped. "What? W

his heart again. Please, can you come here? They'

mation. "I'm on my way," she said w

g buzzing fluorescent lights, adding to the tension that seemed to encroach from all sides. Emma hurried towar

cing by the window, arms fold

a as she darted to

an embrace. "What ha

face. "He just... collapsed. Doctors say it's his

w back, grasping Sop

it's a very expensive operation. Thousands. Tens of thousan

father's room. He lay still, connected to machines that beeps re

g so that they would not die but have a chance at making life.

e. "Emma. What are we going to

own to her purse, where black card Adrian had given her earlier lay h

ight of her family's desperation resting li

voice was small

a finally said although t

nd walked down the hall, ignoring her sister's calls after her. Her feet steered themselv

eration had hardened into resolve. She barged in witho

rised. "What are you

she said, voice sha

n the mug. "What, an

ion. "He needs surgery, and I don't have enough money

m sorry to hear about your dad. Truly," he told her. "But the paper

art. "You can't?

terrupted, finality in his v

a tidal wave. Then she turned and left his of

gues whispering and looking toward her direction.

aid softly. "We all pitched in. It'

modestly wealthy pack of cash. Tears welled in her eyes

said Lauren. "But maybe it

nd her shoulders shook as the happiness and helplessness

pers, voice breaking.

the gentle touch of the shoulder in consolation. She closed in on the enve

traffic and the streetlights, leaving Emma feeling completely empty inside. She sa

Sophia counting on her. Their kindness wa

o idea wh

The bead in the bottle, which had just one bead, sat in contact with

ife. For

oment, as she sat there, the weight of her family's trouble

kily and turned

, with the intimidating building silhouetted against the night sky a

Before thinking, Emma plowed her vehicle right into th

d once and then again and

Adrian Cross, with his sharp gray eyes narrowi

you doing?" came hi

wn. She got out of her car and walked towar

e inspected her was unre

herself to meet his piercing sta

chaos inside her as she said, "Fi

ing her deep with those eyes as though searching for cracks in he

he sai

pparent to Emma: her world shifted once