Chapter 1 - Blood and Ice
Elena swallowed hard before nodding slowly.
"She is reading in the staff quarters, sir."
Vanessa let out an exasperated sigh, crossing her arms over her expensive silk robe.
"We do not need children running around a medical ward, Leo."
I ignored my fiancée completely, keeping my eyes locked on the nervous maid standing by the door.
"Bring her to me."
Vanessa stepped forward, her perfectly manicured hands clenching into fists.
"Darling, you need your rest, not a charity case distracting you."
I raised a trembling hand, instantly silencing the room with a cold stare that reminded them exactly who I was.
Elena scurried out of the room, leaving a heavy, suffocating silence in her wake.
Dr. Harris cleared his throat and began packing his medical equipment into a leather bag.
"I will personally take these new blood samples to a private lab tonight."
I nodded, the bone-deep cold flaring up in my chest again and forcing me to clench my jaw.
Ten agonizing minutes passed before the heavy oak doors creaked open.
Elena returned, holding the hand of a little girl with a fierce, defiant glare.
Lily stared at the intimidating medical equipment, completely unfazed by the terrifying room.
She looked directly at me, tilting her head with a familiar expression that made my heart stop.
"You look terrible," the eight-year-old said flatly.
Vanessa gasped at the blatant disrespect, but a genuine, painful smile cracked my frozen lips.
Before I could speak, a massive crash echoed from the marble hallway outside my bedroom.
My most trusted bodyguard, Marcus, burst through the doors with blood splattered across his white shirt.
"Boss, Dr. Harris never made it to his car."
May you like
Marcus kicked the door shut behind him and immediately drew his weapon.
"They just found him at the bottom of the grand staircase with his neck broken."
