Chapter 2

The next day, Adrian came to the hospital.

He wore a deep gray Brunello Cucinelli overcoat and carried a Tatte takeout bag. Clean, moneyed, composed.

He'd done everything a cruel man could do, and he still walked in looking like a man who’d come to save someone.

He frowned at me.

"You haven't eaten again."

He unwrapped a Godiva truffle and held it to my lips.

"Open."

I used to get low blood sugar. He was always the first to notice.

He'd told me once that if anything ever happened to me, he'd lose his mind.

Now, with the chocolate at my mouth, I didn't move.

Adrian wiped a tear from the corner of my eye.

"Nora. I can't stand to see you like this."

The flicker in my eyes hadn't finished when he slid a pen into my hand.

"So sign it."

I looked down at the title.

Family Asset Protection & Reputation Preservation Agreement.

Chase's continued treatment could not draw from the family account.

I could not use the Sheffield name to raise money publicly, accept GoFundMe donations, or invoke the Sheffield surname to any outside party.

If any of it damaged the Sheffield Family Foundation's reputation, he retained the right to keep every joint account frozen.

The last clause read:

【Chase Whitaker's future high-cost medical expenses and any risk of death are unrelated to Adrian Sheffield.】

I raised my head slowly.

"I actually thought, for a moment, you'd found a conscience."

"I'm saving you."

He leaned in and dropped his voice.

"Sign it. I'll wire you two hundred thousand privately."

"You're that afraid of him dragging you down?"

Adrian stared at me. Not a ripple in his eyes.

"I'm doing this for you."

The door opened.

Chase held the frame, his face bloodless.

"Adrian. Don't blame my sister."

Adrian turned to him. His expression dropped.

"Chase. You're a grown man."

"Your sister is selling her house and begging for you. Does that sit well with you?"

I stepped in front of Chase.

"Shut up."

Adrian didn't stop.

"Sick as you are, and still making her beg for you. You don't feel any shame?"

I swung and slapped him.

The sound cracked down the hallway.

Adrian kept his face turned. For a long moment he didn't move.

When he turned back, his eyes were cold enough to frighten me.

"Nora. Don't regret it."

He pulled the agreement away.

"Two hundred thousand. Gone."

I laughed once.

"Take your paperwork and get out."

Just past the door, Sloane called.

He picked up, and his voice went soft in an instant.

"What is it?"

"Adrian. Mimi won't eat. I'm scared."

Before the door swung shut, I heard him coaxing her.

"Don't cry. I'm on my way."

My phone buzzed.

Adrian's sister, Summer.

【Nora. Did my brother bully you again?】

【I've still got eight thousand on Venmo. Give it to Chase first. Don't tell my brother.】

【I don't know why. I just always feel like I owe Chase.】

His sister, Summer, was nothing like him. She was a good person.