Shattered Love: Claimed By The Rival Boss

all went to

hispers in her ear, now grated on her fragile nerves li

m. A sharp, throbbing pain shot up from her left ankle. The emergency

She'd tried to tough it out, limping the few blocks back to her

t, trying to breathe thro

him a text

At the hospital.

he single word: Del

Miller, approached with a small paper cup. "Here are some painkiller

a sip of lukewarm water. The

e for you? A family member?"

in her stomach, tighter than the one in her ankle. She knew exactly what her mother would

d, forcing a small smile.

thetic look, and moved on to the n

looked up at the large television mounted on the wall. It was tuned to a midday financial n

booming, an unwelcome intrusion

uxury market, two of New York's most p

screen. A stylized 'C' that had been the b

against her ribs. She sat up straighte

's face fill

rp and intelligent behind his signature gold-rimmed glasses. He wore a

feature on him. On his latest success. A surge of pride, war

era pul

in the crook of his arm. She was blonde and beautiful, dressed

gton. The darling of the New York social scene

lazoned across the bottom of th

le Heir Julian Carlisle Announces

ed out of El

..this union will not only solidify a powerful business a

led her ears, drowning out the beeping of ma

nd wen

um floor with a sickening crack. The screen, which a moment a

ike he

with a tenderness, a public display of affection that she had craved, begged for, and been den

in the next chair muttered to her h

thousand tiny sta

r, but a blinding bolt of pain shot up her leg. Her ankle gave way completely. She cr

right lights of the E

g in, a pair of warm, strong hands g

nd, who had appeared at

od, what'

Zoe Hayes. Zoe's gaze flickered from Elara's ashen face to the

er eyes, quickly followed

table and aimed it at the screen. The image of Julian and Juliana smiling

hissed, her voice

and angry, and picked up the

arted, but no

oat and wrapped it tightly arou

termined. She helped Elara to her feet, t

ed from her own body. Each step was a fresh wa

g garage, Zoe's voice echoed off the co

now," she said, her eyes like chips of flin