Chapter 5

Now Ryan panicked.

He'd never thought the secret he'd fought to keep would come out like this.

He tried to explain, but blood poured from his mouth.

"Ryan!"

Avery's frantic face was the last thing he saw before everything went black.

Outside the OR, Avery stared at her blood-covered hands in fear.

She hadn't known anyone could cough up that much blood.

Ryan had been in surgery all night.

Dread tightened around her chest until she could barely breathe.

She jumped up and hurried to the OR, but froze with her hand on the door.

She imagined the doctors fighting to save him. She couldn't bear to watch.

Her hand trembled. She was too scared to push.

Avery stood frozen for a long time before opening the door.

Inside, Ryan sat smiling across from his doctor, color back in his cheeks.

He held the stack of cash she'd thrown at him.

Relief flooded her.

'Thank God he's okay.'

She was about to ask what was going on when Ryan handed the doctor the money.

"Dr. Pattison, thanks for playing along.

"She bought it. Next time, make it sound even worse. Maybe she'll pay more. We can split it."

Dr. Pattison grinned, taking the cash. "Sure. No problem."

Avery froze, anger welling up.

She rushed over, snatched the rest of the money off the desk, and flung it in Ryan's face.

"You lied to me again! Do you need money that badly?"

Her rage made his heart ache.

He said nothing, letting her believe it.

Bang!

Ryan flinched as the door slammed. He buckled, coughing up blood.

Dr. Pattison caught him and gave him his medicine.

"Why do this to yourself?" he asked. "Why not tell her?"

Ryan shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "I'm dying. She has to keep living."

Better to let her hate him. Then she wouldn't grieve.

'I'm dying. Nothing can change that.

'But you have a life ahead of you, Avery. You still have to get married, succeed, and live a long, peaceful life.'