Reid’s name carries weight in this city—whispers of mafia ties, favors paid in fear. I hadn’t seen him in years; life had pushed us into different paths. Still, just saying his name made people hurry and strip their lies away. Doctor Morales’s hands shook.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Emerald,” he said at last. “Your husband… he arranged it. He wanted the heart given to Amber’s child. He used his influence. He made sure the transplant went to their boy.”
The words hit like an avalanche. The phone call, the yacht lights, the child’s voice—everything snapped into a brutal, clear picture. Nathan had chosen. Nathan had given my child’s heart away.
I sat down until the world stopped spinning enough to think. There was one thing I could do that didn’t wait for time to punish him: call Reid.
My fingers found his number as if they’d practiced the motion. I hadn’t seen him in years—ever since Reid got involved with the mafia and our father forced me to cut ties—but despite everything, we’d always been close, and I knew he would come. He answered on the second ring.
“Brother, help me, please! Nathan hurt me! Take me home and I’ll do everything you want me to do.”