Chapter 2

Daisy slammed on the brakes. The Porsche jerked to a halt in the visitor parking space outside the VIP wing of Mount Sinai Hospital.

She shoved the door open. She didn't grab an umbrella. She stepped directly into the freezing downpour.

The icy rain soaked through her red dress instantly. The wet fabric clung to her skin, making her shiver violently.

She marched to the glass doors of the hospital and pushed them open. The blast of air conditioning hit her wet skin like a wall of ice.

She ignored the nurse at the front desk calling out to her. She walked straight to the private elevator reserved for the top floor.

A security guard stepped in her path, holding up a hand. "Ma'am, this area is restricted."

"I am Emmett Reese's wife," Daisy said. Her voice was a low, dangerous blade.

The guard hesitated, intimidated by the sheer force of her glare. He reached for his shoulder radio. "Please wait here, ma'am. I need to confirm with Mr. Reese's detail-"

Before he could unclip the radio, Daisy pulled her black card from her pocket, bypassed his outstretched arm, and swiped it against the scanner. The light flashed green. The elevator doors opened.

She stepped inside. The doors closed, sealing her in.

She looked at her reflection in the polished metal doors. Her hair was plastered to her cheeks. She reached up and pushed the wet strands back with shaking fingers.

The elevator chimed. The doors slid open to the top floor.

The hallway was dead silent. The thick carpet absorbed the sound of her footsteps. A few private nurses stood near the station, whispering to each other.

Daisy walked forward. Her wet dress dripped onto the floor. Her chest felt tight, like a heavy weight was sitting on her lungs.

At the end of the hall, outside the largest suite, stood two men in dark suits. Emmett's bodyguards.

They saw her. Their faces drained of color. One of them immediately shifted his massive frame to block the small viewing window on the door.

Daisy walked faster. "Move," she ordered. Her voice echoed sharply down the quiet corridor.

The bodyguards exchanged a panicked look. They knew her authority. They didn't dare put their hands on her. They reluctantly took a half-step back.

Daisy stepped up to the door. She leaned close to the glass. The blinds were mostly closed, but a small gap remained.

She looked through the slit.

The room was bathed in soft, warm light. Eryn sat on the edge of the hospital bed, wearing a loose gown. Her shoulders were shaking as she cried.

Emmett stood right beside the bed. His back was to the door. His tall, broad frame dominated the space.

Suddenly, Eryn let out a sob and threw herself forward. She wrapped her arms tightly around Emmett's waist, burying her face in his stomach.

Daisy gasped. Her fingernails dug into the wooden doorframe so hard they ached.

Emmett's body stiffened. Slowly, he raised his hand and placed it on Eryn's arm.

From Daisy's angle, it looked exactly like an embrace. It looked like he was holding her back, comforting her.

A sharp, physical pain ripped through Daisy's chest. It felt like someone had reached into her ribcage and crushed her heart with bare hands. She couldn't breathe.

She stumbled backward. The heel of her shoe hit the wooden baseboard with a loud thud.

Inside the room, Emmett's head snapped toward the door.

Daisy's pride flared hot in her veins. She refused to run away like a pathetic, spying victim.

She took a deep breath. The crushing pain in her chest hardened into pure, freezing anger.

She reached out and wrapped her hand around the cold metal handle of the door. She pushed down hard.

The lock clicked loudly in the silent hallway.

Daisy shoved the heavy door open. She stepped into the warm room, bringing the cold, wet reality of the storm right in with her.