It was the truth. He didn't want to hear it.

"There's only one dose of this drug." His tone was final. "Maureen gets it."

He pulled out his phone and dialed. When the call connected, his gaze stayed locked on mine. A smile—slow, deliberate, vicious—curled at the corner of his mouth.

"The moment the specialty drug arrives, administer it to Maureen immediately..."

"You bastard!"

I lunged for the phone.

But the height difference made it laughable. He simply lifted his arm, holding the device far out of reach while I crashed against his chest like a wave breaking on rock.

Denys looked down at me, his eyes traveling to my collar—to the skin exposed where my blouse had shifted.

Heat flooded my face. I shoved at him hard.

Behind us, Maureen's shriek pierced the air. "Denys! My chest—it's so tight—I can't breathe—"

The slightest hint of distress from her, and he was already moving. I seized the moment to push free.

"Denys Simmons." My voice shook with fury. "If you give that drug to Maureen, you will regret it."

I knew a few desperate words wouldn't change his mind.

But if I said nothing, how could I live with myself?

He didn't even acknowledge me. He was already at Maureen's side, scooping her into his arms. As he raced toward the stairs, his shoulder slammed into me.

I hit the floor hard.

My head cracked against the corner of a nearby table. Pain bloomed first, then came the warm trickle of blood sliding down my forehead.

I looked up to find Maureen nestled smugly in Denys's arms, her eyes locked on mine with undisguised triumph. In that instant, I knew—she was faking it. Every single bit of it.

I couldn't afford to care about the throbbing in my skull. I dropped to my knees and grabbed the hem of Denys's trousers, my fingers white-knuckled around the fabric.

"Denys, she's pretending. That medication—my daughter needs it. You have to let me give it to her."

He paused at my words, turning his head just slightly toward me. But Maureen was faster. By the time his gaze reached her, her face had already twisted into a mask of agony.

"Denys, I'm not lying to you. You know I would never—"

She didn't finish. Blood spilled from her lips, cutting off her words mid-sentence. Denys kicked me aside without a second glance and swept her into his arms, taking the stairs two at a time.

Over his shoulder, he threw back a single command: "She doesn't leave this house until Maureen is confirmed stable."