The Orchid's Dying Breath

ard, a physical and emotion

e hospital, his jaw t

he muttered, checking his watch. "I ha

st curled into herself

g his foot, scrolling through emails on h

ht her home and left her on t

ng into his coat. "Work won't wait. Call if

, bleeding, a

still fragile, moving slow

cologne and the faint scent of another wo

her in be

briefcase, unbu

?" he asked, not wa

ds her, his in

overs tighter. "Ethan, please

ays, Chloe. Don't be dramatic.

in her eyes, the way she

gnor

rough, pulling at the blanke

aths down her temples into her hair. He took what he wanted, then