The Surgeon's Cold, Calculated Resolve

son

by a searing pain on my temple. My hand flew to my head, coming away

, lay propped up in bed, her face contorted in a mask of pure rage. He

gall of this woman, after what I had endured, after the ultimate sacrifice I had made for her. T

said, my voice flat, devoid of emotion. "That'

rned privilege suffocating me. But Aurora blocked the

s completely out of the woods. Clark won't let you," she purred, her v

d slowly to the bedside table, ignoring Mrs. Carter's furious glares. I picked up a sterile tray, m

rp sting blossomed on my cheek. Mrs. Carter

o, you killed Clark's future! You're nothing but a gold-digger! My Aurora told me everything about you

people in my life, irrevocably lost, and now being slandered by this vile woman.

oat. My fingers tightened, squeezing. Her ey

my mother. And your son-in-law killed my sister. They took everything from me. And you... you deserve to rot in hell right alongside them." My grip tightened

g thud, my head cracking against the plaster. Clark stood over me, his fa

t landed on me, was filled with a chilling disgust. "You've gone too far, Addison. I kne

sobbing dramatically. "She tried to kil

e met my eyes, his voice col

d, my head throbbing. I clenched m

figures appeared instantly. "Take her. Take her to the cellar. And make sure she stay

r. It was where he kept his Dobermans. Vicious, snarling beasts, train

not there! Please!" The words were

ike iron bands on my arms, dragging me out of the room. I struggled, but they wer

arkness. Two massive Dobermans, their eyes glinting green in the dim

nels, deeper into the cavernous space. They opened a heavy, iron-barred door, pushing me inside

es fixed on me. They prowled outside my cage, their breath hot against the bars.

is!" My voice was a despera

, distorted sound of his voice. "Not until you b

rmans had found a weak spot, a gap in the bars. Its snout pushed th

rashing, trying to pull away. But its grip was firm. I could feel

with blood, tears streaming down my face.

Please! Help me!" My voice was a broken w

ra. "She's just being dramatic, Clark. Do

ant and emotionless. "Admit you tried to kill Auro

broken!" The words were torn from me, but it

letting me die. My heart shriveled into a tiny, shrunke

g. A blinding white hot pain, then a sickening pop. My hand went limp, dangling uselessly. T

tense, too all-consuming. Darkness swam before my eyes. Just before I passed out, I saw Clark, his face pale and horr

so sorry. I didn't me

gy was a