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I’m in the hospital.
Fear trickles down my spine as I lift my hand, wincing from the pinch of the IV disappearing into my pale skin. A white sheet covers my body, but when I wiggle my toes, to my relief, I feel them. My legs too. But everything hurts.
What happened?
The memories hover on the fringe of my mind. The last thing I remember was the Coglio at Gravestone Hall. There was the dinner and then the ceremony in the sanctuary. I lift a heavy arm and slip my fingers into the gown covering me, feeling the scar over my heart.
A shudder rolls through me.
Philip Cargill branded me.
He pressed a hot iron into my skin and permanently bound me to Cade.
My stomach knots at the thought of him.
My tormentor.
My fiancé.
But what happened after that?
And why the hell can’t I remember?
“Ah, Mia, you’re awake.” A woman breezes into the room. Her kind smile instantly settles something inside me. “Let’s take a look at your vitals.”
“W-what happened to me?” I croak as she checks my blood pressure and oxygen levels.
“You had quite the time of it, sweetheart.” She gives me a sympathetic smile. “Your visitor is down in the café. He rarely leaves the room. I’ll tell him you’re awake and page the doctor. Here, you’ll need this.” She grabs a jug of water and pours me a glass, sliding the table over toward the bed. “Take little sips.”
I do as I’m told, relishing how good the cool water feels against my parched throat. She makes some notes on a chart hanging at the end of my bed and then turns to leave.
“Wait,” I cry. “Please tell me what happened.”
She smiles again, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll fetch your friend.”
“Wait—"
But she leaves, and I’m all alone again.
Friend.
Tears pool in the corners of my eyes as I begin to tremble.
What happened to me?
I know it’s nothing good. I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck, my body fragile and weak. And there was something about the way the nurse hurried from the room without giving me any real answers. As if shecouldn’tgive them to me.
A sense of dread washes over me, making the pit in my stomach grow.
I take another sip of water, my hand trembling. Exhaustion washes over me and I begin to drift.
“Mia?”
His voice grounds me, and my eyes flicker open. “Bexley.”
“Thank fuck.” He rushes to my side.
“Bexley,” I say again, emotion welling inside me. “What happened? Why am I here? The nurse wouldn’t tell me anything, and I’m scared… I’m so scared.”
