rrived precisely at nine, accompanied by Owen and two additional bodyguards. Sterling was conspicuously absent. A board meeting, O
hs. The detailed images loaded onto Vivian's high-definition monitor, and s
eversible damage to the uterine walls. It wasn't trauma. It was butch
on away. This was leverage. This was power. This
ly opaque medical jargon. Asherman's syndrome secondary to chronic instrumentation-induced trauma. She carefully avo
now, having clearly rushed from his meeting. Kara sat beside h
report across th
of any emotion. "Based on the imaging, your fiancée's ch
sible!" she shrieked. "You're incompetent
ven more hysterical. "By all means. Get ten. Get twenty. Medicine wil
remor looked ugly now, spoiled
stared at Vivian, his gaze intense and searching. "Ar
added with deliberate precision, "Of course, if you want a more detailed explanation of the cause, I can provide one. The
n Sterling's arm. "What
pity. Just the cold, clinical detachment of a surgeon delivering facts. "I'm simply
e too sharp. "That won't be neces
at Vivian. Something unreadable flickered
ded, rising from her chair. "To help you b
the table behind her. In the hallway, she allowed herself a single, cold sm
tation room door open behind her. Footsteps. Heavy. Delib
Viv
different now. Less co
believe our business is concluded. Your fiancé
lked around to face her, blockin
her voice remained steady. "
ct. You speak to me with a contempt that feels personal." He stopped inches fr
he middle of the night," she said, her French accent t
at me like I'm something you scraped off your shoe." He leaned closer, his eyes boring into hers. "I've been doing my research, Doctor
als speak fo
past is a black hole." He tilted his he
, broke into my home, threatened my career, and now you're interrogating me about my persona
dangerous. "I'm asking why you feel familiar. Why every time I lo
tlantic travel can be disorienting." She made to s
anniversary, and I never saw her again. She left everything behind, her clothes, her books, everything except an old trench coat she'd owned since before we met." He paused, his eyes searching
ho had spent two years being ignored across dinner tables and empty be
papers. The lipstick on his collar. The
h, and he didn't even know it. The irony was cold and sharp in her chest. "I'm sorry f
. You're none of those things." He paused, and when he spoke again, his voice was quieter, a
n said softly, "if she is no l
's eyes
round him, her heels clicking on the polished floor
dn't follow. But she could feel his gaze on her back, a predator'
out a long, shuddering breath. Her hands were shaking. He was getting too close. She had t
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