The heavy metal door of the stairwell slammed shut, echoing loudly in the concrete shaft. The air was cold and smelled of dust.
Edythe pinned Audriana against the wall, her fingers digging into her daughter's arms. Her eyes were wide, fixed on the diamond ring.
"You broke off your engagement with Eston two days ago," Edythe's voice trembled, rising in pitch. "And now you are married to his uncle? Ellwood Maxwell? Are you out of your mind?"
Audriana looked down at the disposable hospital slippers on her feet. "We fell in love, Mom. It was sudden."
"Don't lie to me!" Edythe screamed, shaking her. "Ellwood Maxwell doesn't fall in love! He destroys companies for a living! Did you sell yourself to him? Did you do this to pay for the surgery?"
The word sell hit Audriana like a physical blow to the stomach. Her throat closed up. The tears she had been holding back spilled over her eyelashes. She didn't say a word, but her silence was a screaming confession.
Edythe gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Her legs gave out, and she slid down the wall, bursting into loud, agonizing sobs. "Oh my god. My baby. I did this to you. We ruined your life."
Audriana dropped to her knees. She wrapped her arms around her mother, hugging her tightly. "No, Mom, don't say that. He's not a monster. He's been good to me. He protected me from Eston."
She stroked her mother's hair, forcing a calm tone into her voice. "It's just a business arrangement. We help each other. In a few years, we'll quietly divorce. It's fine."
Edythe looked up, her face streaked with tears. She touched Audriana's cheek, her heart breaking at the sight of her daughter's forced bravery.
The stairwell door creaked open. Ellwood's assistant stood there, looking uncomfortable. "Excuse me. Mr. Martin has been moved to the VIP suite."
Audriana helped her mother up. They wiped their faces and walked out.
The VIP suite looked like a five-star hotel room. Harper was lying in the center bed, an oxygen mask over his face, his chest rising and falling in a steady, peaceful rhythm.
Ellwood was standing by the window, talking to the head nurse in a low, authoritative voice, ensuring every detail of the post-op care was perfect.
Edythe watched him. The hostility in her eyes faded, replaced by a complex, heavy gratitude.
Ellwood turned around. He noticed the red rims around both women's eyes, but his expression remained perfectly neutral. He walked over to the bedside and poured a glass of warm water from a glass pitcher, handing it to Edythe.
"His recovery will take time," Ellwood said, his voice deep and reassuring. "I have arranged for round-the-clock private nurses. You do not need to worry about anything."
Edythe took the glass. Her hands shook. She bowed her head deeply. "Thank you for saving my husband. And… please, be kind to my daughter."
Ellwood reached out and gently pushed Edythe's shoulder up, stopping her from bowing. He looked directly into her eyes. "Audriana is my wife. I take care of what is mine."
The possessive weight of his words made Audriana's heart skip a beat. Her stomach fluttered.
Ellwood checked his heavy silver watch. "I have a board meeting. I must go."
Audriana walked him to the elevator bank. The hallway was empty. She looked up at his tired face, noticing the faint dark circles under his eyes. "Thank you. For everything."
Ellwood pressed the elevator button. He looked down at her. "Words are cheap, Audriana. I want to see a return on my investment. The Martin Group is bleeding out. Eston's rats are still inside your company."
Audriana's posture straightened. The soft, vulnerable girl vanished, replaced by a cold determination. "I know."
The elevator doors chimed open. Ellwood stepped inside. Just as the doors began to close, he reached out. His large hand rested on the top of her head. He gently rubbed her hair, a surprisingly tender gesture that sent a shockwave of heat straight to her toes.
"Don't work too late," he murmured.
The doors slid shut.
Audriana stood there, her hand slowly reaching up to touch her hair. Her skin felt like it was on fire. She turned around, her eyes hardening. It was time to go to war.
