All three brothers looked startled.


    Evadne''s expression remained calm, but her tone had softened noticeably.


    Gone was that icy, unapproachable reserve she reserved for every man except her brothers and Thaddeus-a cold indifference that kept the world at arm''s length.


    Could it be that the ident had shaken something loose in her, changed her outlook, even her temperament?


    With a clenched jaw, Arnold had no choice but to let the man inside.


    "Thank you," Chad said politely.<fn0069> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on f?ndnovel</fn0069>


    With an easy, springtime smile, Chad maneuvered his wheelchair to Evadne''s bedside and set a thermos on the nightstand.


    Evadne pressed her pale lips together. "You''re very considerate, Mr. Chad, but I''m really not hungry right now."


    A gentle light sparked in Chad''s refined eyes. He smiled, his voice warm. "You skipped breakfast and lunch, Ms. Evadne. Are you sure you''re not hungry?"


    Evadne''s amber eyes widened. "How... how do you know that?"


    "I''m in the room next door. I''ve been waiting for you to wake up.”


    Chad dropped his gaze, a little sheepish. "I know you''re notcking caretakers. I stayed for two reasons: it makes my follow-up appointments easier, and I thought I could help keep an eye on you.


    I''ve already brought together the best surgeons in the country here in Elmsworth. They''re ready to consult on your case. I promise, I''ll do everything in my power to see you make a full recovery. You won''t have to worry about any lingering problems-not now, not ever."


    The Ashbourne boys exchanged nces, their eyes full of unspoken meaning.


    Evadne''s reply was calm and cool. "Thank you, but I don''t think that''s necessary. I am a surgeon myself, after all."


    Chad''s smile deepened, his baritone easy and persuasive. "I know. The whole medicalmunity knows Dr. Eve. But you know what they say—a doctor can''t treat herself."


    He leaned in just a little, voice softer. "Ms. Evadne, everyone knows you''re brilliant and strong—a real wonder woman. But even you need to rest sometimes. You have to give yourself permission to let go, and let others help. Don''t push yourself so hard.


    I can see how tired you are. Why not use this time in the hospital to truly rest, just for a little while?"


    Evadne''s longshes trembled; she heard the hidden meaning in his words.


    Any ordinary woman, faced with a man as gentle and attentive—and as well- connected as Chad, might have had her guard easily breached.


    But more than his warmth, Chad possessed something rare: restraint.


    He wasn''t too eager or too cautious. His kindness was just right, creating afort that made people want to draw closer.


    For a moment, Evadne thought of Avery.


    He''d gotten close as a friend at first, only to reveal, bit by bit, his real intentions. Every time he found a way to get near her, he always had a reason a reason so reasonable she could hardly refuse.  s


    Their tactics, she realized, were almost identical.


    The difference was, in the end, Avery lost patience. He grew reckless, even hurting those around her just to get to her.


    Evadne had only grown suspicious of him, and let herself get close so she could see his true face.


    But Chad was a mystery. She knew almost nothing about him, except that he always seemed to be several steps ahead.


    The only way to get to the truth was to get even closer.


    "Big brother, could you all give us a moment?" Evadne''s voice was steady, her expression unreadable.


    Reluctantly, the three Ashbourne brothers filed out.


    In the hallway, Aaron rubbed the back of his neck, troubled. "Evadne''s never acted like this with any man but Thaddeus. She''s actually being nice to Chad. What''s going on?"


    "Damn it, thest thing I wanted to see is actually happening," Arnold grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Now that Thaddeus and.


    Evadne have broken up, she''s at her most


    nerable Chad couldn''t have


    picked a better time to swoop


    in-he''s got a real chance.


    belongs to s


    If she lets her guard down for even a second, Thaddeus won''t stand a chance, will


    he?"


    Aaron''s heart skipped. "No way. She''s crazy about Thaddeus. After everything


    they''ve been through, you think some random guy can just step in?"


    "Why not?" Cassius leaned against the wall, his eyes dark and distant. "Feelings, no matter how deep, can fade. If you''re left hurting long enough, if you''re met with nothing


    but coldness, sooner orter you let go  s