“But I know you won’t kill him. You can’t bear to let him go,” he said sofily.

    Sienna’s breath hitched, her eyes trembling as she stared at him.

    “It’s fine,” he continued. “As long as the one you care about is me, that’s enough”

    He clinked his ss against hers.

    Then, turning away, his voice tinged with nervousness, he admitted, “Actually, that night when Thorn showed up. I told rk to stop bhim /band take him to the hospital.”

    Sienna wrapped her arms around him from behind. “I know.”

    Hearing that, Julian’s whole body shuddered. He turned around in disbelief. “You…?”

    Sienna’s long hair draped softly over her shoulders, her smile as warm as sunlight, warming Julian’s heart.

    “I want no one but you, she whispered.

    Suddenly, Julian pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

    “Sienna,” he murmured.

    Thorn woke up three dayster. The moment he was wheeled into the operating room, everything that had bhappened /bshed before his eyes like a carousel of memories.

    It was only then that he realized no matter what he did, he just couldn’t hold onto the light he once reached for.

    Thornughed, covering his eyes, and burst outughing, the sound echoing with a touch of madness.

    If only… If only I had never met Sienna ten years ago. If only I had just kept bsinking /binto darkness; he thought.

    “Hey, quit crying. Hereb, /bbhave /bban /bapple”

    Thorn bwas /btaken aback by the sound, lowered his hand, band /bturned to look. It bwas /bJulian.

    Him! What’s he doing here? Thorn thought, startled,

    Thorn hurriedly wiped his tears away, flustered band /bembarrassed

    “You! Why are you here? When did byou /bbget /bbhere/b?” Thorn blurted out.

    ‘He actually bsaw /bme breaking down like that? Thorn thought, mortified.

    Just thinking about it made his face burn with embarrassment, his ears turning red–hot.

    “Before you woke up, Julian said, walking over and handing him a peeled apple.

    Thorn btook /bit and bit down. The crisp, tangy–sweet vor burst in his mouth.

    b“/bWhat, you here to see if I’ve finally kicked the bucket?” Thom drawled, sarcasm dripping bfrom /bhis bvoice/b.

    His face was pale, but that didn’t stop him from shing a devilish grin, that punchable smirk stered right across his face.

    “Honestly, sometimes I really do wish you were dead, Julian said with a sigh.

    Thorn let out a self–deprecating chuckle. “Rx, I’m not about to die. Hell, I can’t even bring myself to. But seeing you with the woman I blove/b… It’s like I’m already dead–just hollow shell dragging myself through life.”

    Julian shot him a look. “As long as your heart’s still beating, you’re not dead yet.

    Julian, I’m really curious. What do I have that doesn’t measure up to you?” ulli/li/ul

    Thom took a bite of his apple, leaned in close, and shot him a fierce look as he asked.

    Julian kept that same gentle, easygoing smile, lips quirking up just a bit.

    Tm better looking than you.”

    Thorn rolled his eyes. “Get lost. Are byou /bnuts?”

    Julian gave a helpless smile and shook his head. Sunlight spilled across his profile, making him look like a god bhad /bjust descended. Even

    Thorn was momentarily dazed.

    Guess he really is kind of good–looking. Thern thought.

    “So it was you messing around that night, huh?” Thorn said, tossing the apple core into the trash.

    The motion pulled at his wound, making him grimace in pain.

    “Yeah, that was me,” Julian replied.

    Thorn’s eyes were full of bloodlust, like he bwanted /bbto /bbtear /bsomeone apart.

    Julian met his gare. “Even if I hadn’t stopped you, you still wouldn’t have made it through that door, right?”

    Thorn let out a coldugh, grabbing him by the cor. Julian, she just can’t bring herself to kill me.”

    For a split second, Julian’s bcalm /bmask slipped, and Thorn caught it right away.

    b“/bGuess your rtionship isn’t as unbreakable as I thought. Who bknows/b, maybe I’ll get my shot at crashing your wedding and stealing her away somedayb.” /bThorn sneered.

    Julian lowered his gaze and picked up another apple, starting to peel it.

    “Here,” he said, holding out the peeled apple.

    Thorn raised an eyebrow and reached for it, but just bas /bhe bwas /babout to btake /bit. Julian pulled it bback /bband /bbtook /bba /bbig bite.

    Julian! You… You bastard!” Thorn shouted, totally exasperated.

    Thorn was so pissed he was grinding his teeth.

    Julian walked out of the room, still eating his apple, and called out bto /bba /bnurse, “Let the doctor know the patient in bed 250 is awake”

    AD