Chapter 3

He froze for a second.

Then, sheer irritation took over.

"Here we go again.

Every time Chloe messes up even a little bit,

you start playing these mind games to get at me.

Jesus, Eleanor, do you have any idea how pathetic this is?"

He pulled up a chair and crossed his legs, oozing arrogance.

"Enough. Drop the act.

If you're really that uncomfortable,

I'll have the doctor prescribe you some painkillers.

Chloe was terrified tonight, so I need to go stay with her.

You just stay here and think about how you've been acting."

I didn't say another word.

A sudden, searing heat washed over me.

The world blurred at the edges, and a roaring fire tore through my chest.

Textbook early symptoms of a hemolytic reaction.

"Eleanor... your face is so red,"

Chloe mumbled, peeking out from behind him.

"Are you running a fever?"

Julian barely gave me a passing glance.

"A fever? No, that's just anger.

She's mad I'm not staying here to hold her hand."

He stood up, stepping closer to the bed.

His gaze was pure ice.

"Eleanor, I am warning you one last time.

Stop begging for attention with this cheap act.

Chloe is the only real family I have, and it's my job to protect her.

You ever come after her again, I won't give a damn that you're my wife."

I looked up at him, forcing a hollow smile.

"Fine."

"Then you better... watch her closely."

Julian let out a cold scoff, taking Chloe's hand.

"Let's go. Just ignore her, she's out of her mind."

The door slammed shut.

I looked at the nearly empty bag of blood, and closed my eyes.

"System," I spoke inside my mind.

"Activate pain nullification. Maximum setting."

The cold, mechanical voice echoed.

[Command received. Enjoy your journey.]