gilded cage felt

at exactly 6:00 AM, that the chef prepared meals entirely devoid of salt, and that Adrian Blake left t

he isolation

d into the underground garage. Mrs. Jenkins escorted Lily down, her g

ly asked, her voice echo

Mrs. Jenkins said, opening the car door.

thick contract she had signed but the reality of it was terrifying

they arrived, the facility looked less like a hospital and more li

n with a gentle demeanor, met he

ur baseline health," he said, offering a w

nd questioned. Dr. Aris took blood, ran an ul

ff his gloves. "Your body is more than ready for the procedure. W

ound her shoulders. "And Mr. Blake?

p his instruments. "Mr. Blake's genetic material has already been thoroughly vetted and prepared for the

e door opened, and one of Adrian's securit

into the hallway. They were walking toward the exit when sh

guard. "I forgot so

amination room, she heard voices through the slightly ajar door. She re

herself against the wal

ing, his voice low and urgent. "The genetic testing is back. Th

way Lily had never heard before. The usual cold arrogance was

't start the aggressive treatments soon, you will lose motor function. Th

ing a gasp. Huntington's disease. A

ounding against her ribs. He's dying, and

need an heir. I need the Blake legacy secured before my brother, Julian, can

inherits the gene?" D

at followed wa

id, his voice hollow. "The child is clean. He will live

nature of creating a life just to secure a business empire becaus

h the implantation imme

eed," Adri

an alcove just as the door swung open. Adrian walked out, his jaw set, his eyes fixed straight ahead. He di

ly let out a ragged breath, sliding down the

n heir. She was carrying t

her mind. If Adrian was dying, and his ruthless brother Julian was

a check? Or would she become a loo