The rhythmic, piercing beep of a heart monitor was the first thing that broke through the crushing darkness.

Nora Sterling dragged her heavy eyelids open, wincing as the harsh, fluorescent lights of the hospital room assaulted her vision. The air smelled of sharp antiseptic and sterile linens. For

The private elevator ascending to the Croft penthouse hummed with a quiet, expensive efficiency. Nora stood perfectly still in the mirrored carriage, staring at her own reflection.

She looked like a ghost. Her skin was terribly pale, the dark circles under her eyes stark against the porcelain of h

Julian held Vivienne against his chest as if she were made of spun glass, his hands stroking her hair while she continued to weep softly into his tailored lapel. Nora stood perfectly still, her hands folded neatly over her stomach—protecting the secret life growing inside her, shielding it from the