Chapter 6

Audriana pushed the heavy bedroom door open an inch at a time, terrified of making a sound.

She stepped into the living room. Her eyes immediately found Dalton. He was asleep on the small sofa, his massive frame curled up awkwardly. A deep crease lined his forehead, even in sleep.

She walked softly toward the coffee table. She hesitated for a second, then picked up the folded cashmere throw blanket resting on the armchair. She draped it gently over Dalton's broad shoulders.

Dalton inhaled deeply in his sleep. The faint scent of vanilla reached him. The tight crease between his eyebrows miraculously smoothed out.

Audriana grabbed a pen and a piece of hotel stationery from the desk. She scribbled a fast line across the paper and pinned it down with an empty water glass.

She looked at the dangerous man who had saved her life one last time. She turned around and walked out the door without looking back.

Two hours later, Dalton's eyes snapped open.

He sat up instantly. The blanket slid off his chest. The empty penthouse felt suffocating. His eyes darted to the coffee table and locked onto the piece of paper under the glass.

He snatched it up.

Thank you for your help. I will dry-clean the coat and mail it back to you.

Dalton stared at the polite, distant words. A bitter smile touched the corner of his mouth. He carefully folded the small piece of paper and slid it into the inner pocket of his suit jacket.

He pulled out his phone and called Simon. His voice was freezing.

"I want his expulsion processed by noon. Have the notice on my desk."

Miles away, Audriana sat on a rattling subway train. She finally walked up the cracked steps of her cheap apartment building in Brooklyn.

She pushed the squeaky door open. The familiar, faint smell of damp mildew hit her nose.

Hearing the door, a young girl in a faded nightgown stepped out of the bedroom. A white cloth was tied securely over her eyes.

It was Kimora Goodman, her half-sister, who had lost her sight in a car crash.

"Audriana? Is that you?" Kimora asked, her voice soft and sweet.

Audriana forced her exhausted facial muscles to smile. She dropped her bag and rushed over, gently holding Kimora's arms.

"I'm here," Audriana lied smoothly. "I stayed at the library too late and crashed at a friend's dorm."

Kimora nodded obediently. She reached out and grabbed Audriana's forearm, holding on tight. She looked completely helpless and dependent.

Audriana looked at the white cloth covering her sister's eyes. A fierce determination flared in her chest. She had to save enough money for the cornea transplant.

Kimora suddenly tilted her head. She gripped Audriana's arm a little tighter and sniffed the air.

"Why do you smell like men's cologne?" Kimora asked innocently.

Audriana's heart skipped a beat. She bit her lower lip, her mind racing. "The subway was packed. I must have brushed up against someone."

Kimora didn't press the issue. She lowered her head. Audriana let out a quiet breath of relief, her heart still hammering against her ribs from the close call. She gently patted her sister's shoulder, vowing silently to protect this fragile peace at all costs.

Audriana guided Kimora to the couch and walked into the cramped bathroom. She stared at her pale, exhausted face in the cracked mirror.

She turned on the faucet and splashed freezing water onto her face, trying to wash away the nightmare of the hotel.

Her phone, sitting on the edge of the sink, suddenly vibrated. A news alert popped up on the screen. Then another. Then five more in rapid succession.

Audriana dried her hands and picked up the phone. She looked at the screen. The blood in her veins turned to ice.

Twitter trending 1: Wall Street Tyrant Dalton West's Mystery Fiancée Exposed!

Beneath the headline was a blurry photo from the hotel hallway. It showed Dalton wrapping his massive coat around her. Her face was hidden, but her distinct height and hair color were visible.

The phone slipped from her numb fingers and clattered onto the bathroom tiles.

Her quiet life was over.