His Deal, Her Heart's Demand

For five years, I supported my musician boyfriend, Mark, paying our bills while working on an architecture project that I thought would finally build us a stable future. I poured everything I had into our life together.

Then I came home early and overheard him on the phone with his wealthy patron, Daniel.

"She's just a convenient stepping stone," he laughed. "My real life is starting with you now."

The next day, a horrific car crash shattered my right arm, my drawing arm. At the scene, Mark ignored my injuries and screamed at the paramedics to save Daniel's hand instead.

"His hands are his life!" he shrieked, while I lay bleeding in the driver's seat.

Doctors told me I'd suffer permanent nerve damage and lose the fine motor control needed for my career. While I was in the hospital, Mark threw my belongings in the trash and changed the locks on our apartment.

I had lost my love, my home, and my future in 48 hours.

But the final blow came as I lay on a hospital gurney. A terrifyingly handsome man in a dark suit loomed over me. He was Daniel's older brother, the powerful Julian Thorne.

He leaned down, his voice a deadly whisper that cut through my pain.

"My brother's career may be over because of you. You will pay for what you've done."