His Only Cure, Her Final Curse

Carrying the Iranian caviar and Dom Pérignon I'd prepared, I strode into Jade's VIP hospital suite.

She was propped against the headboard, scrolling through a diamond-encrusted iPhone. When she saw me, surprise flashed across her face, quickly morphing into the triumphant smirk of a victor.

"Well, well. If it isn't Joanna. To what do I owe the pleasure, Florence's little Principessa?"

"Killian sent me," I said flatly, placing the expensive gifts on the bedside table.

Her smirk widened. "He really has you on a leash, doesn't he?"

She looked me up and down, her eyes filled with a petty, condescending glee.

"You see, Joanna? I told you. I'm the one he truly cares about. He was willing to give up your life-saving serum for me."

I didn't speak. I just pulled up a chair and sat down.

My placid reaction seemed to disappoint her, so she decided to twist the knife.

"Oh, right. There's something else I almost forgot to tell you."

She leaned in close, her voice a triumphant, venom-laced whisper. "The truth is, there was never anything wrong with my blood. I just wanted to see who mattered more to Killian... his wife... or his first love."

"And as you can see, he chose me. Without a moment's hesitation."

Jade laughed, her body shaking as she savored the collapse she expected to see on my face.

I just looked at her calmly and nodded. "Yes. I know."

Jade's laughter choked in her throat. She stared at me, her face a mask of disbelief. "That's it? That's all you have to say?"

"What else?" I asked coolly. "Should I cry? Get on my knees and beg you to give Killian back?"

"You—" The word caught in her throat, her perfectly made-up face flushing crimson.

I stood up, looking down at her. "Jade, I've given you everything you wanted. I just hope... you can hold onto it."

With that, I walked out of the hospital room without a backward glance.