When They Beg, I Rise!

Lemira stood before him, just inches away. Orion avoided her gaze, "Not exactly."

"So, it's not official?"

His response was vague, "Something like that."

Lemira's heart sank as she heard his admission. It's true then. She had even thought, perhaps Orion was making it up to avoid being set up by Lucian with some girl. Gathering her strength, she asked, "Is it the girl you were with at the restaurant?"

She had seen them once, Orion and a girl dining out together. She hadn't gotten a good look at the girl, just that she was tall and likely very attractive.

Orion's Adam's apple bobbed, "Didn't peg you for the gossip type."

"Just curious. You said you were single before, and suddenly there's news. Can't I ask?"

Lemira's words didn't completely match her feelings.

At that moment, Lucian wheeled out after the examination, looking quite pale.

Seeing Lucian like this, she said with an unfamiliar coldness, "The doctor said you need to start treatment, take your medication on time, and lay off the booze."

"Look at my memory, always forgetting. When you were around, you'd remind me to take my meds. Now that you're not home, I often forget."

meanings, and he could see that there was still a soft spot for him in

on Lemira's lips, "You could ask Evelina to remind you. She seems quite

you know how to make them. I know you've done a lot for me in the past, and it's my fault." "But that's

refused to engage further. She looked at

again?" Lucian's voice was full of earnest

remembered seeing Evelina

in the hospital. Lucian watched her go, then saying to Hogan, "Do you think Lemmy is starting to

Langston probably didn't feel that

his sister

QUMS

road for the

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at her apartment, and Thaddeus rushed ahead, "I gotta hit the bathroom, running

behind. She glanced over, "Can't believe that's Thaddeus' company? Are you involved too?" "Yeah, got in through the

they stepped into the elevator together, Lemira, feeling agitated, noticed their reflections

alcohol on him,

collar, his

you're seeing. The one from