Chapter 1 - The Sanctuary of the ER
The tires of my car screeched against the wet pavement as I pulled into the emergency room parking lot.
My hands were still trembling as I unbuckled Lily from her car seat.
Her tiny body was terrifyingly limp, and her skin felt like it was on fire.
I rushed through the automatic sliding doors, screaming for a nurse.
Within seconds, a medical team surrounded us and took my daughter from my arms.
They whisked her away behind a set of double doors, leaving me standing alone in the cold waiting room.
I collapsed into a plastic chair, staring at the floor.
My cheek still throbbed fiercely where Brian had struck me.
The physical pain was nothing compared to the absolute betrayal shattering my heart.
Ten minutes later, the automatic doors slid open again.
A tall man in a tailored suit walked in, his sharp eyes scanning the room.
It was my older brother, Marcus.
I had not spoken to him in five years.
He had warned me not to marry Brian, calling him a manipulative parasite, and I had foolishly cut ties with my family to defend my husband.
But when I called him tonight, crying and desperate, he did not hesitate.
Marcus rushed over and pulled me into a fierce, protective embrace.
I broke down completely, sobbing against his expensive suit.
He pulled back and gently tilted my chin up, his eyes narrowing at the red mark on my face.
His jaw clenched, and a dangerous, icy fury settled into his expression.
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He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text message.
Tonight, the man who hit me was going to lose everything.
