The morning sunlight streaming into the hospital room felt warm, but the quiet air suddenly grew heavy with a deep, intense suspense. Clara held her mother’s thin, pale hand tightly between her own warm palms. Her heart was beating fast against her ribs, echoing like a loud drum in her ears.

Eleanor looks past Clara at the three imposing Vane brothers, her voice trembling as she asks, "Are these Charles's boys? Do they know about the London Legacy?"

Lucian took one slow, heavy step forward, his massive body towering near the side of the hospital bed like a tall, solid mountain of dark muscle and power. His deep dark eyes...