The first time Sophia had told her, Eliana's heart had sunk with regret. She wanted to come back to his side, to say she was sorry.

But when she'd finally seen Samuel again—so commanding and arrogant as always—she'd convinced herself he was fine and he didn't need her. Now knowing about his illness, she could barely breathe through the guilt.

Samuel leaned his head back casually, as though he were discussing the weather. "Yes, I was there for two years, but it ...