It had been twenty-six hours since Nathan left Tessa on her own, trapped in her pain and her stubborn pride.

Twenty-six hours of watching her stumble through the hallways of his private wing at Hawthorne Estate, snapping in frustration while feeding Smokey, then breaking down quietly as she forced food into her own mouth.

Sleep had become nearly impossible for her. The wound from the biopsy was taking its toll. She tossed restlessly in bed, one hand brushing over the bandage on her body. ...