71 The Sobering Fear
My mothers jade bracelet sat umocently in its velvet box, but all could see was a trap Three hundred million dollars. My father’s desperate plea. Sebastian’s Calculated
interest None of it felt right
The realization crashed over me like ice water I wasn’t a business partner to the
wasn’t even a romantic interest, I was a resource A perfect blood match.
Sinclairs
My fingers shook as I touched iny inner elbow, where countless needles had pierced my skin over the years for Alistan’s transfusions How many times had I been bled for love? And now, was I being courted for the same reason, only with fancier packaging?
“No, I whispered to my empty apartment “Not again.”
I paced the room, mind racing. If Sebastian truly wanted my blood-or worse, my organs-how far would he go? The Sinclairs had enough power to make people disappear. They had enough money to buy silence.
And 1 bad stupidly, naively fallen for his charm
My phone buzzed on the coffee table. Sebastian’s name flashed across the screen.
I stared at it. heart hammering. If I ignored him, would he become suspicious? If A answered, could I hide my fear?
After four rings. I forced myself to pick up.
“Hello, I said, my voice surprisingly steady
“Hazel. His deep voice sent shivers down my spine-no longer pleasant ones I was hoping we could meet ronight instead of tomorrow. I have some ideas for the collection I’d like to discuss
My throat tightened “Tonight?”
“Is that a problem?”
I scrambled for an excuse “Actually I can’t. My stepsister’s condition has worsened. need to go to the hospital
A pause thought you weren on speaking terms with your fareils
Dukk Hazel Think
“We re not 1 said “”But she’s dying Cancer Stage four. At least that part wasn’t a lie “It feels wrong to hold grudges at this point.
Another pause
understand. Family obligations can be complicated.
Did he believe me? I couldn’t tell.
“Yes” agreed, Complicated is the right word,
“How bad is her condition?
closed my eyes, crafting the perfect balance of reluctance and duty “They don’t think she it last the week My father called earlier, asking me to come. Also true, Technically I can’t refuse a deathbed reconciliation, can I? What kind of person would that make
“You have a good heart. Hazel. Sebastian said softly. “Even toward those who don’t
deserve it
The gentleness in his voice almost made me doubt my suspicions. Almost
“I don’t know about that.” I said, trying to sound humble. “But I should at least say
goodbye
Of course. Family should be together at such times?
I gripped the phone tighter Our meeting tomorrow might need to be rescheduled I’m not sure how long I’ll be at the hospital.
“Don’t worry about that: Sebastian said. “We can adjust.”
My mind raced for a way to create more distance “Actually, I could send Maya to meet with you. She knows the designs inside and out. She could represent me while I handle
this family natter
There the perfect test. If he was only interested in my business acumen, he’d accept
The substitution if he wanted my blood
The silence stretched longer this time
1 if jenter to wait for you be finally said Maya is undoubtedly capable, but this partne shapes with you, Hare)
My stonschefenebes Partnership such a neutral word for what I now susper ted he
wanted
appreciate that Trephed trying to keep my voice even ‘But I don’t want to hold up production Time is money especially a fashion
“Some things are worth waiting for he said, his voice dropping lower family obligations come first. We’ll meet when you’re ready
swallowed hard. Thank you for understanding.
Your health and
“Is there anything you need? I could arrange for a private room for your stepsister The best specialists
Was it kindness or a way to monitor me” To keep tabs on whether I was really at the
hospital?
That’s very generous, I said carefully “But it’s already arranged. The Everetts are handiltag if Another lie. Let him think Alistan was involved. Maybe that would keep
him at bay.
“I see” His tone changed slightly “Well, the offer stands if circumstances change
“I appreciate it
One more thing, Hazel
“Yes?”
careful at that hospital. There are… rumors about experimental treatments being offered to terminal patients there. Not all of them ethical
Achill ran through the Was that a threat? A warning? Or just conversation?
Til keep my eyes
open I promised.
Good
look forward to seeing you when things settle down
The call ended, and I dropped the phone like it burned me Had I been convincing? Did
he suspect
I moved to the widow peering through the blinds at the street below Waxbeing watched even now? How deeply ad the Sorteus infiltrated my ide
needed » plan Voceded to extricate myself from this partnership without raising Suspiciolis But how could avond a lamity with tentacles in every
Soc Tory
My gaze fell on my mother’s bracelet again. Fluce hundred million dollars Maybe inv father’s offer washd gostarap-maybe it was rovescape roble With that kind of
escape-roble money, could disappear Start over somewhere the Sinclair name held no power
But first needed to confirm my suspicions. I couldn’t throw everything away based on paratioia and speculation
I opened my laptop and searched: “Sinclair family medical history”
The results were sparse, mostly charity galas and hospital wing dedications. Nothing personal, nothing specific. The Sinclairs guarded their privacy well.
tried another search: “Sebastian Sinclair health”
Nothing useful
As I closed my laptop in frustration, my phone buzzed with a text. Sebastian again
*I’ve arranged for a car to take you to the hospital. It will be outside your building in 15
minutes. No need to thank me. I know how stressful these situations can be
My blood ran cold. He knew where I lived. He was tracking my movements
The walls seemed to close in around me I had to decide-and quickly. Go to the
hospital and maintain the lie? Or run now, before the car arrived?
Either way I was trapped in a game where I didn’t know the rules
And the clock was ticking.
