Chapter 4

I raced back to the old neighborhood.

Only one thought filled my mind.

Grandma had a weak heart.

She couldn't handle this.

The moment I reached her floor, I saw red paint sprayed across the walls.

HOMEWRECKER.

SHAMELESS.

YOUR WHOLE FAMILY DESERVES TO DIE.

Funeral wreaths leaned against the door, shoved there as a threat.

Someone had tipped a bag of garbage across the landing.

Neighbors stood outside whispering.

I pushed through them and ran inside.

Corn-and-rib soup was still simmering in the kitchen.

The smell was exactly the same as it had been when I was a child.

Grandma was lying motionless near the doorway.

"Grandma!"

I dropped beside her.

My hands shook so badly I could barely touch her.

Her face was colorless.

She wasn't conscious.

No one outside came in to help.

They only watched, and pointed, and kept talking.

I clenched my teeth, lifted her onto my back, and carried her downstairs myself.

At the hospital, the emergency-room light burned above the doors.

My face was swollen.

The burn on my arm had blistered.

None of it mattered.

A nurse hurried out.

"She had a severe cardiac event.

"She needs surgery immediately."

"Then do it.

"Right now."

The nurse hesitated.

"The only attending surgeon available is currently with a VIP patient.

"You may have to wait."

I froze.

"My grandmother could die and you're telling me to wait?

"I'll pay whatever it costs.

"Get the surgeon now."

"I'm sorry," she said helplessly. "That patient has special status. We can't interrupt."

Something snapped.

I ran toward the VIP wing.

I threw open the door.

Jason was sitting on the bed.

He blinked when he saw me.

Then smiled.

"Adrian?"

My fists tightened.

"Let the doctor go save my grandmother.

"She's dying."

Jason tilted his head.

"But my chest feels strange too.

"You upset me yesterday.

"The doctor is still examining me."

I felt myself unravel.

"Jason, this is someone's life.

"If you want revenge, take it out on me.

"Leave my grandmother alone."

My mother was gone.

My father was gone.

Grandma was the only family I had left.

I couldn't lose her too.

Jason watched me for a moment.

Then smiled.

"Fine.

"Kneel.

"Beg me.

"And I'll let the doctor leave."

I stood frozen for two seconds.

Then I dropped to my knees.

When the Reed family forced me out of the country, I avoided contacting Grandma for the first few years because I was terrified they would retaliate against her.

I never told her what they did to me.

I only wanted her to live peacefully, for a long, long time.

I had already lost too much.

"Please.

"Let the doctor save her."

Jason's smile widened.

He walked over and looked down at me.

"Adrian, you really do look like a dog."

His shoe came down on my hand.

Pain shot through my fingers.

I made a sound but didn't pull away.

He pressed harder, as if he wanted to hear the bones give.

Then he bent close to my ear.

"Your grandmother.

"Your parents.

"They all deserved it.

"That's what happens when people bring someone like you into the world."

I looked up.

My eyes turned bloodshot.

Then a cool female voice came from the doorway.

"Jason."

His expression changed instantly.

He threw his arms around Serena.

"Serena, my chest hurts.

"But Adrian won't let the doctor examine me.

"Does he want me dead so he can get back together with you?"

Serena frowned at me.

Disappointment filled her eyes.

"Adrian, you're the one who insisted on ending things five years ago.

"Now you're targeting my fiancé.

"What do you actually want?"

I didn't have time for them.

I should never have expected an animal to behave like a person.

There was nothing for me here.

I needed another hospital.

Another surgeon.

Something.

"Move."

I turned to leave.

Serena caught the hem of my jacket.

Her voice went low.

"Adrian, do you regret leaving me?

"Is that why you keep showing up in front of me?"

I ripped free.

"Are you insane?"

I ran back toward the emergency room.

The medical team was already coming out.

One doctor removed his mask. Something complicated moved across his face.

"I'm sorry.

"We couldn't save her."

The sound disappeared from the world.

I stared through the doors.

An old woman lay under a white sheet.

And I finally understood that I had no blood family left.

For one terrible moment, I was back on the day my mother died.

The sky collapsed.

Even breathing hurt.