Chapter 26 I woke up to the smell of disinfectant and the steady beep of a machine beside me . My arms and legs were wrapped in bandages , my throat felt like it had been sandpapered raw . I blinked until the room sharpened , and the first thing I saw was Kendrick sitting in a chair right next to my bed . His suit was wrinkled , his eyes red with dark circles under them , but somehow he still looked unshakable . My lips parted , barely a whisper . " Who ... who saved me ? " For a moment , he didn't answer . Just stared at me with that heavy silence he always carried . Then he said quietly , " It was your ex - husband . Beckley pulled you out . " I stared at the ceiling . I didn't say anything . My heart felt like it wanted to speak , but no words came out . The door burst open and Helena rushed in , her cheeks wet , her voice breaking . " Claire -oh my God , thank heavens ." She grabbed my hand and kissed it like she was afraid I'd slip away again . March and July came after , both of them looking like boys again instead of men . July grinned so wide his eyes sparkled . " Finally , you're awake . We thought we lost you . " I forced a faint smile , though every inch of me ached . " I'm still here ." That was when Kendrick's head of security stepped into the room . He bowed his head a little toward me , then looked at Kendrick . " Boss . The jet's ready . We just got word . Fresca's in New York , moving through the airport now . She's carrying only ATMs and passbooks . Left the kid with the nannies . " I felt my blood turn cold . Kendrick's eyes hardened like steel . " Good . We'll cut her off before she vanishes . " I pushed myself up on the pillows , though my body screamed . " Let me come with you , Ken . I want to face her myself . " Kendrick stepped closer , lowering his tone just for me . " No , Claire . You're not strong enough yet . You stay here , recover . Once you're discharged , I'll hand her to you myself . That's a promise . " I studied his face , searching for any crack , any sign of doubt . He meant it . I could see it in his eyes . Slowly , I nodded . " Alright . But don't let her run again . Don't let her disappear ." His jaw tightened , his gaze sharp as a blade . " She won't . " The strength in his voice settled something in me . My body sank back into the bed , exhaustion dragging me down . My eyes fluttered shut , but all I could see was fire and 9:15 Thu , Oct 16 Fresca's grin . 95 When I opened them again , Kendrick was already at the door , his men waiting behind him . His shoulders were tense , his mind already gone , already hunting her . And I knew he wouldn't stop until she was caught . Five days later they let me out of the hospital . My body still ached everywhere , every step felt like dragging weights , but my will was sharper than it ever was . Kendrick didn't even let his driver handle it - he drove me himself . I thought he was just taking me home . But when we pulled into his estate and walked down to a guarded hallway , my stomach turned cold . Guards lined the walls like statues , and then I saw it . A reinforced glass room . Locks everywhere . Inside , she sat . Fresca . Her hair was a wild nest , her eyes manic , lips curled into that same mocking grin that haunted my dreams . I froze in the doorway . For one terrifying second , I swear I felt her hands on my throat again , fire licking up my skin . She smirked , her voice syrup and venom . " Well , look who crawled out of the ashes . Thought I burned you good . " My legs shook , but I stepped closer anyway . " You failed , Fresca . Just like everything else you touch . " She let out a low laugh , tilting her head like some twisted doll . " Don't act so high , Claire . You think Kendrick really wants you ? Please . You're just a broken doll he's fixing until he gets bored ." My fists clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms . " Better a broken doll than the trash you've always been . " Her smile twitched , anger flashing in her eyes . " You think you won , huh ? You think men like them ever stay ? Beckley never loved you . He only pitied you . And Kendrick ? He'll throw you out the second he's done playing hero . " Before I could answer , Kendrick's voice cut through , cold as a blade . He hadn't moved from where he stood , arms crossed , eyes locked on me . " Careful with your tongue . The only reason you're still breathing is because Claire wants to face you . " Fresca thrashed against her cuffs , screaming so loud my ears rang . " You'll regret this , Claire ! I'll burn every house you walk into ! I'll make you beg for death ! " I didn't flinch this time . I leaned closer , steady , my voice a whisper that still carried . Chapter 25 010 01 70 9:15 Thu , Oct 16 4 95 " No , Fresca . You already lost . You don't scare me anymore . " The door behind me opened and heavy footsteps came in . Beckley . The second Fresca saw him , her face changed . The feral madness melted into wide - eyed innocence . She cried out , tears spilling down her cheeks . " Beck ! Beck , baby , save me . Please . They locked me here like an animal . Our son - Bennett must be terrified , crying for his mommy . " Beckley's face was stone , bruises still fresh from the crash , his arm bandaged . He didn't move closer . Just stared at her like she was something rotten . " I almost died because of you , " he said flat , jaw tight . Fresca shook her head fast , " No , no , baby , listen . I did it because I love you ! I love you so much it drives me crazy . I hated her ! I hated how Claire always got everything . The sympathy , the spotlight , even your attention . I couldn't stand it , Beck . Don't you see ? I only did those things because I couldn't lose you ! " Beckley's lip curled . " Love? You call that love ? You nearly killed Claire . You tried to kill me . You put fire to everything and dared call it devotion ? " Fresca pressed her cuffed hands against the glass , desperate . " I don't care about her ! I care about you . I only wanted you . All of you . If she disappeared , if she burned away , then it would just be us . Isn't that what you wanted once ? Just me and you ? " 9:15 Thu , Oct 16 95 Chapter 27