Page 101 of When Hearts Remember

Searing eyes meet mine and while the rest of his frame is relaxed in his usual detached indifference, the blistering expression on his face says otherwise.

His jaw locks and nostrils flare. Under the dim light, I can see his pupils are dilated and his pulse battering against his temple.

Holding my gaze, he murmurs, “See you at work tomorrow, Alexis.”

Then he nods at the other girls and strides away, out of view, oblivious to the rioting heartbeats in my chest.

A few seconds later, Olivia pops up by my side. “Don’t think I didn’t see that.”

I force out a few chuckles. “W-What?”

“He looks like he could devour you alive.”

Devour me alive.

I should be scared. I should be worried. I should go online and buy the first chastity belt I can find.

So why do I want to offer myself as a sacrifice instead?

Chapter 33

Past: One Month After the Accident—Twenty-Four Years Old

“Are you there, Lexy?Do you hear me, my love?” I rasp, my throat hoarse.

I slowly climb onto her bed at Manhattan Memorial, careful not to jostle her, and curl my body next to hers.

A lump forms in my throat.

“Lexy?”

She doesn’t answer me.

Of course she can’t answer you. She’s in a coma.

She was transferred to long-term care yesterday. It’s been one month since the horrid accident when they fished her out of the Hudson, her skin already turning blue, her body broken and battered. If it weren’t for the anonymous Good Samaritan, she’d be dead.

Gone forever.

The odds aren’t optimistic she’d come out of it. Too much time in the water, the brain deprived of oxygen for too long, not to mention the severe injuries she sustained.

“Lexy, I love you so much. Wake up,please.”

I lift her bandaged hands and kiss each of her fingertips.

With trembling fingers, I pull the ring out from my pocket and put it on her hand.

“You asked for a ring, Nova. I bought you the prettiest one there is. You’ll love it. It’s one of a kind, just like you.” The jewels glimmer under the dim light, my chest clenching as a fresh torrent of grief rains on me.

“W-Will you marry me, Nova?” My voice is barely a whisper. Raw. Trembling. “Make me the happiest man on earth?”

Nothing.

No twitch. No movement.

Only the steady, mercilessbeep…beep…beep…of the machines.

My heart pulverizes, the pain robbing me of breath. All I can do is hold her tightly in my arms, wishing she could feel my presence. I press kisses on her hair and shoulder.

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