Page 8 of The Billionaire’s Contract Bride

The hospital.

She answered with shaking hands. “Dr. Patel?”

“Aria, your mother’s condition has deteriorated,” urgency sharpened his tone. “We’re moving her to intensive care.”

Aria’s knees gave out, hitting the linoleum floor. “Is she dying?”

The doctor hesitated. That single second of silence shattered what little remained of her resolve.

“Come quickly,” he said, and hung up.

Aria stared at the glowing number on Damien’s card. She tapped it into her phone and pressed call.

He answered before the first chime finished.

“Say it,” Damien commanded.

Tears burned her eyes, hot and bitter. “You win.”

His voice dropped lower, dark and possessive. “You’re going to give me exactly what I want.”

Headlights washed across the hallway window.

Aria pushed herself upright and looked out down at the street. The black sedan was back, idling beneath her building, rain gleaming across its long hood.

“You’re outside,” she whispered.

“Come down.”

“I need to get to the hospital.”

“That is where I’m taking you.”

The call disconnected.

Aria shoved her mother’s quilt and the contents of her work locker into one of the bags and dragged them toward the elevator. The cardboard box contained family photographs, tax documents, and the chipped ceramic bird her mother had kept for decades. She lifted it carefully into her arms.

The elevator doors slid open before she could press the call button.

A broad-shouldered man in a dark overcoat stepped out. A thin scar cut across his left eyebrow.

“Ms. Vale.”

Aria took a step back. “Who are you?”

“Lucien Cross. Mr. Blackthorne’s head of security.” His eyes swept over the bags without a trace of surprise.

“I can manage,” Aria said as he reached for the box.

“I was instructed to handle your belongings.”

“And bring them where?”

Lucien’s face remained impassive. “Mr. Blackthorne will explain.”

“He seems to enjoy doing that after he’s already made the decisions.” She continued to hold the box close to her chest. She didn’t want to lose everything she owned along with her dignity.

Something subtle shifted in Lucien’s eyes, a quiet flicker of recognition. “You learn quickly,” he noted.