brother stalks out of the room with his shoulders hunched.
I shake my head, turning back to my eggs. At least he’s leaving Farcliff tomorrow. I won’t have to deal with his moods and irrational jealousy about Margot LeBlanc.
When I look up again, Prince Damon is standing in front of me. He’s wearing a broad smile. The Prince sits down across from me, stretching his legs out and sipping a cup of coffee.
“I’ve organized a tour of the hospital for today, if you’d like to join. We’ll start in the pediatric ward. Dahlia and I would love to have you around—the kids at the hospital might be a good audience for our tour. They tend to be a little more forgiving than adults.”
I nod. “Sounds good, Your Highness.”
“I think we’re on a first-name basis now,” he grins. Damon turns his head when Dahlia enters the room, and his face lights up. “Got to go,” he grins. “I’m giving Dahlia some bike riding lessons this morning.”
“She doesn’t know how to ride a bike?”
“Don’t ask,” he grins. “The car will be ready at noon to take us to the hospital.”
Watching them leave, something tugs at my chest. It’s the same thing that always happens when I see Damon and Dahlia together. A hint of jealousy and longing. I want what they have.
I know exactly who I want it with.
After breakfast, I wander down to the kitchens. Glancing inside the dessert room, I frown when I don’t see Ivy. The head chef pushes the door open and bows to me when he spots me.
“Have you seen Miss LeBlanc?” I ask.
George shakes his head. “Non, Your Highness.” His French accent gives his voice a musical lilt. “She didn’t come in for work today. Her téléphone number isn’t working, either.”
I frown, nodding. “Thanks.”
The sour taste in my mouth gets stronger, and a chill passes down my spine. I try to ignore the tingling in my hands, and the feeling that something is very, very wrong.
Damon is right—kids are a good audience. When I tell them the story of my accident and my recovery, their eyes are wide as saucers and their lips drop open. One little boy’s hand shoots up in the air.
“Yes?” I ask, nodding to him.
“Did you lose feeling in your legs?”
“Everything from the waist down,” I nod.
“Did you pee your pants?” He tilts his head, and titters escape a few of the children. The boy’s friend nudges him.
I smile sadly. “Sometimes.”
All the kids’ eyes widen. “Really?”
I nod. “I had to wear a device called a catheter, or a little tube that helped me pee. With the doctor’s help, I was able to regain control of my urge to pee. Let me tell you, that almost felt better than learning to walk again,” I grin, glancing at Damon and the staff. Damon smiles at me, nodding.
The children giggle, and one little girl walks over to wrap her little arms around me, planting a sloppy kiss on my cheek. My heart melts.
Our visit to the pediatric ward reminds me how grateful I am to be able to walk again. In all my weeks and months of focusing on Cara and everything I’ve lost, I’d forgotten what I’ve actually gained.
My health. My mobility. My ability to control my own bladder.
Ivy.
I thought my time in Farcliff would be a quick, painful stop on my way home to Argyle. I thought it would be torture to pretend to be polite to these people, all the while watching my brother parade his new wife around in front of me.
In reality, my visit to Farcliff has been incredible. I’ve realized that Cara’s betrayal isn’t as crushing as I thought it was. I’ve overcome so much already—why would I let one woman tear me down?
Thinking of Cara turns my mind to Ivy. That’s another surprise that came with Farcliff. I thought, at best, I’d have some fun with Margot LeBlanc. It would be good for my public image to get people to stop talking about Cara, and to start talking about another woman. I thought, selfishly, I could make Cara jealous.
I never thought I’d meet someone I actually care about.
A smile drifts over my lips as I think of her smile, her snark, everything about her that makes me feel alive again.
Then, just as my heart starts to thump, Ivy turns the corner in the hospital.
Her tear-streaked face is pale, with big splotches of red on her skin. She has a bandage near her temple. Her eyes are hazy, and her