Her Sacrifice, His Blind Hatred

hone buzzed with a

on. 8 PM. The

ommand, no

ittering gowns and jewels around her. She found August in a private boot

He just stared at the stage

, a diamond necklace, a painting by a

ioneer unveile

A pair of hand-carved crystal

the light and refracting it

ugust sat up straighter. A flick

the bidding. August

actual value. It became a battle of wills, a disp

llars!" the com

hesitate. "F

The other bidder shook

d his gavel. "Sold! To Mr. Ort

face. "Mr. Ortega, if I may be so bold, th

d up the microphone on his table, and his v

his lips. It was a smile Cora hadn't seen in seven years. "She is t

owd ap

ng for the crowd, but the message was for her. It was another way

a reminder of his past, a whetstone on wh

eave, the next item was

large, co

r our final, most thrilling item... a

r was pu

ke hot coals. It snarled, its teeth bared, straining a

mur went thro

cage's latches broke. The dog slammed it

nd scrambled to get away as the

f black fur and

ading straigh

Before she could think, Co

erself in f

t, loo

ground. She felt a searing, unbelievable pain as its teet

k neck, trying to pull it away, but it was too

or

ears he'd said it with anything other than contempt. In his

shielding hers, trying to g

in, finally managing t

bric. The pain was immense, and the wor

er head landing

t was his face, pale and strained, his dark

room. The smell of antisep

ndaged, and an IV was

oked exhausted, his usually perfect suit was ru

es open, a light f

," he said, h

icking up a chart. "The doctor said you l

's what he t

ut the movement sent a jolt of pain through her

was a fresh bandage and a sma

lucky to have such a caring partner. He stayed all night and even donate

, shocked. He had

t he quickly turned his

to confirm some details for the pap

lear and firm, cutting throu

boss. Mr.

room instantl

s face dark. The brief moment of warmth w

e sudden tension, qui

d, his voice dangerously lo

ling over her. "Why did you do it, Co

it for a bigger bonus? A better performance revi

ruel, that it left her speechles

his life. And thi

ed between them, he