Chapter 4

The light outside the ER was blindingly bright.

Adrian and I sat on a bench around the corner of the hallway, wearing masks.

Less than thirty feet away, I watched Alexander arrive in a hurry.

He wore a sharp suit with a perfectly knotted tie. He didn't look like a father called in the middle of the night for his daughter's emergency. He looked like he was heading to an important business meeting.

"What happened? How did she end up in the hospital?"

The moment Alexander saw Mrs. Elena, his brow furrowed deep enough to crush a fly.

"There's a major acquisition this morning. Don't you know we can't have any negative press right now?"

He didn't ask if Aria was dead or alive. His first concern was his stocks.

Mrs. Elena rolled her eyes and shot back defensively.

"Why are you yelling at me? Blake had a little too much to drink last night and got a bit rough, that's all."

"Aria's usually pretty tough. Who knew she'd be so fragile today? One bump into the coffee table and her head split open."

Her breezy tone made it sound like she was talking about a broken vase.

My nails dug deep into my flesh, my palm sticky with blood.

"Aria's a curse. We never should have brought her back after abandoning her."

Alexander irritably loosened his tie.

"Should've just let her rot with that poor excuse for an adoptive mother."

"This is all for Blake, isn't it?"

Mrs. Elena lowered her voice, but it carried right to my ears.

"Better to have a sister at home for him to take his anger out on than have him kill someone on the outside!"

I shot to my feet, the last thread of rationality in my mind snapping with an audible crack.

Adrian wanted to rush over and tear those inhuman mouths right off their faces!

I grabbed Adrian's arm and shoved him back down into his seat.

"Patience! Don't ruin the plan!"

Adrian sobbed. I clenched my fist, nails digging into flesh, suppressing my own urge to charge forward.

I had to save Aria. And I had to make them pay a price worse than death!

The ER door opened. A doctor walked out, exhaustion written all over his face.

"Who's the family for Aria?"

Alexander walked over impatiently.

"I am. She's not going to die, is she?"

The doctor froze, a flash of anger in his eyes.

"The patient has multiple soft tissue contusions, a mild concussion, and most seriously, a fractured ulna in her right arm that requires immediate surgery with pins!"

"And..." The doctor paused, his tone turning severe.

Alexander let out a cold laugh. He pulled a check from his pocket and stuffed it directly into the doctor's white coat.

"Dr. James, don't say things you shouldn't. Be careful what comes out of your mouth."

The doctor's expression changed several times. Finally, he let out a deep sigh and didn't return the check.

"Go pay for the surgery." The doctor dropped the words coldly and turned back into the ER.

Alexander turned to Mrs. Elena.

"Go pay the fees, then have Tom take her to the old villa in the suburbs."

"Having her at home is an eyesore. Don't let Blake see her and get upset."

Mrs. Elena pursed her lips.

"I know. You better get to the office. This place is filthy."

Alexander left without looking back.

Mrs. Elena glanced disdainfully at the line at the payment counter and walked toward the VIP lounge.

The hallway was left with only a few scattered family members of other patients.

This was my only chance.

I pulled Adrian up and walked quickly toward an empty patient room.

Inside were isolation gowns and masks the nurses had changed out of.

I quickly pulled one on and pressed a nurse's cap down low.

"Adrian, go downstairs and call a car. Park it in the alley behind the ER back door."

"Keep the engine running and wait for me in the car."

Adrian looked at me with worry.

"Mom, can you do this? Let me go in with you!"

"You're too conspicuous." I pushed him away.

"Remember, no matter what happens, protect Aria!"

I took a deep breath, picked up a stainless steel tray from the hallway cart, and walked toward the ER observation room with my head down.

The door was slightly ajar. The moment I pushed it open—

My tears fell uncontrollably.