Chapter 2 2

The heavy oak doors of the penthouse study slammed shut behind her.

Adriane stood frozen on the thick Persian rug. Two massive bodyguards had just dragged her out of the elevator and shoved her inside. The air in the room smelled of cold mint and expensive cigars. It was Chase's scent. It made her stomach twist into a hard knot.

Behind the massive mahogany desk, Chase sat in silence. He watched her tremble like a frightened animal. A muscle feathered in his jaw.

He picked up a thick stack of papers and threw it onto the desk. The heavy slap of paper against wood made Adriane flinch.

"Sign it," Chase ordered. His voice left no room for argument.

Adriane took a slow, blind step forward. Her fingertips brushed the edge of the cold desk, then found the thick paper.

"This penthouse is worth ten million dollars," Chase said coldly. "Keep it. It's your compensation. Just sign the divorce papers and disappear."

Adriane's jaw clamped shut. The humiliation burned the back of her throat.

"I don't want your money," Adriane whispered. Her voice cracked. "I just want you to believe me. I did not push her."

Chase let out a harsh, mocking laugh. "Still playing the victim. You really don't know when to quit."

Suddenly, a loud, shrill ringtone cut through the silence.

Adriane jumped. She fumbled with the pocket of her cheap jeans and pulled out her phone. The screen reader announced the caller ID in a robotic voice.

New York Presbyterian Hospital.

Her blood ran cold. She answered the call, pressing the phone hard against her ear.

"Ms. Owens?" a nurse's panicked voice came through the speaker. "It's your brother, Barry. His kidneys are failing rapidly. We need to schedule the surgery tomorrow, but you must deposit the two hundred thousand dollar surgical fee within forty-eight hours, or we cannot proceed."

Adriane's legs gave out.

She collapsed against the edge of the mahogany desk, her knees hitting the floor hard. The phone slipped from her fingers, the nurse's frantic voice still calling her name from the tiny speaker before the line went dead.

The room went dead silent. Only Adriane's ragged, desperate breathing filled the air.

For Barry. She had to do this for Barry. He was all she had left.

Adriane swallowed her pride. She placed both her hands flat on the desk, feeling her way toward where Chase sat.

"Chase," she begged, her voice raw and broken. "Please. I need two hundred thousand dollars. Lend it to me. I will sign anything you want. I will leave New York. Just please, save my brother."

Chase stared down at her. His eyes turned into chips of black ice.

He stood up. His tall frame cast a dark shadow over her.

"You really think I'm that stupid?" Chase sneered. "A perfectly timed phone call. A tragic story. You finally show your true, greedy face."

"No! It's real!" Adriane shook her head wildly. Tears streamed down her face. She reached out and grabbed the bottom edge of his suit jacket. "Call the hospital! Ask them!"

The study door clicked open.

Kassidy walked in, carrying two cups of pour-over coffee. She wore a perfectly tailored designer dress.

Kassidy stopped in her tracks. She let out a soft gasp. "Oh, Adriane. Are you still bothering him for money?"

Chase heard Kassidy's voice. Disgust flashed across his face. He slapped Adriane's hand away from his jacket.

Adriane lost her balance. She stumbled backward, her spine crashing hard into the solid wood bookshelf. Pain exploded in her back.

Chase walked over to Kassidy. He took the coffee from her hands. His voice softened instantly. "You shouldn't be carrying these."

He turned his head back to Adriane. The softness vanished.

"Get out," Chase commanded. "I'm having the lawyers draft a new agreement. You get nothing. Not a single cent."

Adriane opened her mouth to scream, to beg, but the two bodyguards stepped in. They grabbed her arms tightly and dragged her backward.

As she was pulled through the door, Kassidy stood behind Chase. Kassidy smiled. It was a cold, victorious smile.

The study doors slammed shut again. Adriane was thrown into the elevator, the countdown to her brother's death ticking loudly in her ears.