TRENT'S POVI paced the length of my bedroom as my mind swirled with anxious thoughts.. How could Mom and Dad be so blasé about Tom's deteriorating condition? Didn't they see how much worse he'd become since being transferred to that new hospital? I climbed down the stairs towards the sitting room where my mother spent most afternoons. I had to make them understand, had to convince them to get Tom out of that place before it was too late.As I entered, Mom glanced up from her book. "Trent? Is something the matter?""Mom, we need to talk about Tom and getting him transferred out of that hospital." The words tumbled out as I moved closer. "His condition is only worsening there instead of improving." She sighed, setting her book aside. "Trent, dear, Evergreen Memorial is one of the finest medical facilities in the country. I'm sure they're doing everything they can for your brother.""Are they though?" I shot back, unable to hide my bitterness.I'd been going to visit Tom regularly si

ELLA'S POV."Welcome to our home, not as a student again but now as my teacher," Ryan said as I stepped inside. I laughed lightly. "I'm not sure 'teacher' is the right term when you're the one needing math tutoring. But I appreciate you inviting me into your home, Ryan." "Well, whatever the title, I'm glad to have you here, Ella."Then I heard the sound of footsteps and I looked up to see his dad suddenly running from the stairs towards me. "Ella, my dear, it's so good to finally have you here!" he boomed, crossing the space to engulf me in a tight bear hug.I tensed, my eyes going wide as I was crushed against his broad chest. This...was not at all what I was expecting from a first meeting with my new employer's father. Is this how personal assistants are usually treated? I wondered with a laugh. Well, aren't I just the luckiest girl?Mr. Walker pulled back, holding me at arm's length as he looked me over with a warm smile. Ryan cleared his throat beside us."Don't mind my dad," h

TRENT'S POVI turned back into the hospital entrance, the disinfectant smell burning my nostrils. I ran my fingers through my greasy hair, making sure it matched Tom's ghost-like appearance. Carefully, I applied some makeup to my face, mimicking his sickly appearance. All that remained was slipping into the hospital gown and settling into the vacant bed.I eyed the various tubes and wires snaking out from the bed frame, but quickly tamped down the distressing thoughts. I couldn't lose my nerve now, not when I was so close. Jaw clenched, I shrugged out of my clothes and pulled the thin gown over my head. It hung loosely on my frame as I settled back against the flat pillow.Why was I doing this again? The question flickered through my mind as I started connecting myself to the tangle of lines and monitors. But I already knew the answer. I still didn't understand why our father, who had always so blatantly favored Tom as the "golden child", would suddenly do this to him. Dosing his onc

ELLA'S POVI was still reeling from Damien's shocking claims when Amelia spoke up firmly. "Ella, let's not listen to him. He's just a bitter, twisted ex trying to get a rise out of us."Susan nodded emphatically. "Amelia's right. He's just a sad, pathetic loser trying to get under our skin. You know Trent would never put himself in harm's way like that."I opened my mouth to respond, but froze as my phone began ringing shrilly from inside my bag. Frowning, I fished it out and felt my breath catch in my throat when I saw the name on the screen.Trent. Oh my god, it was Trent.I turned to level a look at Damien, cradling the phone against my rapidly beating heart. "Looks like you were lying after all." Damien scoffed. "Don't get too excited. It's probably just a butt dial or some pre-recorded message from beyond the grave."Rolling my eyes, I swiped to accept the call and raised the phone to my ear. "Trent? You're okay, right? Where are you now?There was silence on the other end, and

TRENT'S POV"You know I shouldn't be doing this, since you were the one who actually had me fired..." Nurse Veronica said, not looking up from adjusting the IV line running into Lydia's arm.I chuckled, reclining back in the hard plastic chair. "Well, at least you aren't doing it for free. I'm paying you handsomely, right?"That got her attention. Veronica's eyes flicked up to meet mine. "It's not because of the pay, Mr. Donovan. Maybe I'm just trying to pay for my own sins here. To try and make amends for the unforgivable things I let happen under my watch.""You were stuck in an impossible situation, just trying to survive like the rest of us. That doesn't make you a bad person." We were tucked away in the backroom of her small private clinic, the soft mechanic whir of the ventilator the only sound apart from our muted voices. After I had her fired from Medicare, Veronica had clearly carved out this new underground venture for herself, renting the space and converting it into a di