Mag-log inNORA It’s been a few hours since we settled at the private villa my dad so graciously arranged for us from miles away. Mars’ fever has broken and his pain is under proper management. We decided not to head back to the resort to make sure we have everything under control.The villa smells too much like the hospital we just escaped. So I fix it. By bringing Marcellus flowers. Not cheerful yellow ones. Or soft pink roses tied with some ridiculous satin bow. I choose a bouquet of dark blue delphiniums and nearly black irises.They're dramatic, beautiful, and a little threatening.Basically, him.Mars is propped against several pillows when I walk in, wearing a dark blue velvet robe. The private nurse must have helped him change because there's no way he managed it without splitting himself open again.His gaze lands on the flowers in my arms. Then it rises slowly to my face."What did I do?"I stop beside his bed. "Why do you immediately assume you did something?""You bought me flow
NORA The doctor blocks the doorway before I can push Marcellus's wheelchair into the hall."Mrs. Gregory, I need you to understand that this is a terrible idea."My hands tighten around the handles.Terrible idea?Someone disguised herself as a nurse walked into my husband's hospital room, disabled his call button, and attacked him.Staying feels like a terrible idea.Mars sits slumped in the wheelchair beneath a thick grey blanket, looking far too pale and far too pleased with himself. His dark hair is a mess. There are shadows beneath his eyes, his lips drained of colour.He should look weak. Somehow, he still looks ridiculously beautiful. And so damn stubborn."Tell her," the doctor says, turning his attention to Mars. "You underwent emergency abdominal surgery less than five hours ago. You have fractured ribs, a fractured ankle, and significant blood loss.”Mars lifts his heavy head. "I'm aware."The doctor's jaw tightens. "Then act like it."I almost laugh because I'm on t
MARCELLUS The room feels empty without my wife in it. Somewhere down the corridor, a trolley squeaks past. Normal hospital sounds. Nothing dangerous. Still, my body refuses to settle.She's only been gone for a little while. She'll come back. She promised.My gaze drifts to the phone on the nightstand. Her last message is still open.[Going into the meeting now. Wish me luck, kitten.]I should answer. My fingers feel too heavy, weighed down by the medication. Beneath it, the pain is already creeping back.I close my eyes, and that creepy voice immediately returns.[This is your punishment.]My eyes snap open.There had been a nurse here. No one believed me.The doctor blamed the medication, pain, and fever. He said I'd probably hallucinated her.Maybe he’s right.The bathroom door clicks and I stiffen, turning my head slowly. The door swings open, and she steps out. It's her.The same woman. Her dark hair is pinned neatly, with that hair-raising smile on her face.My pulse spik
NORA His eyelashes flutter, a tiny crease forming between his brows."...Mm...""Mars," I whisper, gently squeezing his hand. "Wake up, darling."His breathing quickens a little. Slowly, his eyes open. They're hazy from the medication. It takes him several long seconds to find me."...You stayed." His voice comes out low and slurry, thick with drugs.I smile, my heart squeezing. "I told you I would."The corners of his mouth lift in a slow, drowsy curve that is infinitely adorable. "I remember..." He blinks sluggishly. "...What time is it?""Just a little past seven."He frowns, the expression delayed. "I slept... that long?""The medicine finally kicked in." I stroke his hair back from his forehead. "You needed it."His eyes drift closed for a moment as he leans into my touch. When they open again, they're a little clearer, but still soft and unfocused. Then he catches my expression, and his sleepy smile fades."...What's wrong?"Nothing escapes him, even now.I try to smile.
NORA I stand frozen by the hospital bed, watching Marcellus fight a battle he's clearly losing. His face is twisted in pain, his jaw clenched so tightly, I can see the muscles jumping. Sweat beads on his forehead and slides down his temples. Every breath comes out ragged, like he's forcing every exhale out. His fingers dig into the thin hospital blanket, his knuckles bone-white.He looks like he's about to pass out from the agony.And yet he still shakes his head when the nurse offers the syringe."No," he rasps, his voice hoarse. "No meds."The doctor exchanges a worried glance with me. "Mr. Gregory, the pain is only going to get worse. We need to manage it before—""I said no."I bite the inside of my cheek hard. This idiot.I remember how he was just a few hours ago, buried deep inside me. How he'd been so strong, so in control, even while he was wrecking me. And now here he is, barely able to breathe from the pain, still refusing help like he has something to prove.How th
MARCELLUS Sweat slides down my temples, my stomach churning with unease. I don’t have the slightest clue about what really happened and that terrifies me.“I don’t know,” I croak, my chest heaving.The doctor studies me for a long second before speaking. "We'll come back to that."He closes my chart and glances towards the nurse by the door. "I'd like a full trauma work-up."Nora frowns. "I thought it was just his ankle.""So did I." The doctor's expression turns serious. "But several things don't fit."He gestures towards me. "The fever. The degree of swelling. The way he's guarding his left side whenever he moves. And the mechanism of injury."I blink. "...Guarding?""You've been unconsciously protecting your ribs since you arrived."Had I? I hadn't even noticed. The nurse wheels another portable machine into the room."We're going to check you from head to toe," the doctor explains. "After a fall from a height, ankle injuries rarely happen in isolation."An hour later... I
NORA My skull is hosting a full-on rave with bass, strobe lights, and the works. I groan and crack one eye open, only to get assaulted by aggressive sunlight and the mother of all hangovers. This is not the Evermont ballroom. This is... a hotel suite? Oh God. Where the hell am I? Ugh, my
NORA His scent hits me first. How is that possible? It's been three years. Yet, I still recognize it.Woodsy scent, mixed with that perfect amber. A scent so expensive and masculine that I spent entirely too much time pretending I didn't notice back then.My heart starts racing as he takes
EVERMONT UNIVERSITY GRAND HALL 30TH OF JUNE, 2025 08:25 PM. NORA “Tell me you didn’t,” I say to my boyfriend, trembling from the shock of what I just discovered.His brows pull together. “What are you talking about?”“The Taste of Tomorrow deal.”He just stares at me in silence, and su
EVERMONT UNIVERSITY, OFF-CAMPUS 30TH OF JUNE, 2022 08:45PM. ~~~~~ NORA I can't believe I'm making out with my mortal enemy three days after breaking up with my boyfriend. Marcellus Gregory has me pinned against the wall of his off-campus apartment, his mouth devouring mine. His hands ar







