---- Chapter 3 When I stepped out through the gates of Hedo Lounge, my body was shaking uncontrollably. Fever rippled through my limbs like silent static. My steps were unsteady, each footfall a gamble. I could barely see the road ahead, and before I could register what was happening, I stumbled headfirst into someone's chest. Aclean, sharp scent filled my nose-disinfectant. It was clinical, cold, but oddly grounding. It sobered me up in an instant. Imumbled an apology, trying to pull away from the man's trench coat, my eyes dropping to his wrist. The watch he wore looked oddly familiar. A rare edition, limited worldwide. Even Charles couldn't get his hands on one. "Sorry. I'm so sorry," I said again. I knew who he was. I didn't look up. Didn't need to. ---- "Your hand is bleeding," he said, his voice low, textured with something like exhaustion. "Tt's nothing." I turned to leave. I didn't want to linger. Anyone connected to Charles-I wanted no part of them. But just as I stepped down the first stair, I was lifted off the ground, arms suddenly cinched around my waist from behind. I gasped. Our eyes met. Tyler Ford's face was right there-elegant, distant, and cold as ever. Half a foot away. His breath mingled with mine, warm and close, as if the air between us had shrunk to a single tight thread. I could almost hear the frantic beat of his heart. ---- "As a doctor," he said, voice even but with an edge beneath it, "I can't just watch someone sick and do nothing." I gave a short, bitter laugh. "Strange. You never seemed so compassionate before. I remember the last time, when Charles made me jump into the pool to fetch that necklace, you just stood at the edge and watched. Not a word. Not a flicker of concern." His eyes cooled. "Mindy, that time you deserved it. You were willing. You made that choice. Who could possibly save someone who doesn't want saving?" His voice hardened, but his steps didn't falter. Something in me flickered and went dim for a moment. I didn't fully snap out of it until he placed me inside his car and the warm air from the vents