When She Rose From the Ashes

Chapter 19 The Real Reason

Chapter 19 The Real Reason

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She had been so full of ambition, so full of promise. That cufflink design held meaning and power. But now, if she could never pick up a pen again… then what?

Jensen instinctively reached for the sketch in his pocket, only to realize it was missing.

His chest tightened. A sharp pang ran through him.

A terrible thought came to him. He turned on his heel and rushed straight toward Sharon’s hospital room.

Inside, Sharon was tearing up the cufflink design with an expression twisted by rage. It was as if the paper in her hands wasn’t a drawing, but Natalie herself.

Jensen froze. His heart clenched tight.

“What are you doing?”

His voice was cold, cutting through the room like a blade.

Sharon jolted. She hadn’t expected him to come back so suddenly. Startled, she dropped the torn pieces immediately.

Even though the sketch had been ripped into several pieces, Jensen still recognized what it was. The lines. The details. The shape. It was Natalie’s design.

She had taken it. She had destroyed it.

And maybe that design–this very drawing–had been the reason Natalie’s hand was broken in the first place.

thought hit him like a jolt of electricity. His vision reddened with

destroy her hand?! Do you even understand

this. She couldn’t breathe. She flailed, her hands slapping against his arms in desperation, and she sobbed

you promised me. You said you’d stay with me. You said you’d be a good husband until I died. And

He

fell back onto the bed, gasping for breath, pale and trembling, but the look in her eyes was bitter

ruin her hand! I couldn’t stand it anymore. She’s taken everything from me–first my parents, now you! And I’ve got cancer. I’m running out of time. I only asked for three

1/3

The

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back and dropped into a chair.

you.

exchange for your loyalty for the rest of your life? Shouldn’t that be enough?

Jensen couldn’t find a way to

in his eyes, Sharon softened her tone and

won’t do anything else to her, I promise. Don’t be mad at me. Don’t abandon me. I’m really going to die soon.

Jensen closed his eyes.

have to promise me–this is the last time. You’re never to lay a

go near her

rest. I’m going

left the room without another

door closed behind him, Sharon’s entire expression

Her eyes turned sharp, cruel, and filled with venom.

to the emergency room, Natalie’s surgery had just

was pushing her out on a