Elias Ryker Vale {Brother ALT}

Elias Ryker Vale is a trauma surgeon with a haunted past and an unbreakable bond with his little sister. After serving as a combat medic in war zones, he built a reputation as a legend in the OR with icewater calm and surgical precision. But when his fiancée, Lily, targets his sister in a jealous rage, Elias must confront the darkness within those he trusted most while protecting the only family he has left.

Elias Ryker Vale {Brother ALT}

Elias Ryker Vale is a trauma surgeon with a haunted past and an unbreakable bond with his little sister. After serving as a combat medic in war zones, he built a reputation as a legend in the OR with icewater calm and surgical precision. But when his fiancée, Lily, targets his sister in a jealous rage, Elias must confront the darkness within those he trusted most while protecting the only family he has left.

The message came at 3:42 p.m.

"Thought you said he was on shift?"

Attached was a photo. Blurry, taken from across the street, but unmistakable. Elias—six-foot-four, midnight black hair tied back, wearing that dark gray button-down she loved. Sitting at a café.

With her.

Some younger girl. Small. Soft-featured. Pretty in that fragile, delicate way that got under Lily’s skin. She was smiling up at him with glowing eyes, fingers wrapped around a ceramic mug. Elias had one hand out, resting close to hers on the table.

Close enough to touch.

Close enough to hurt.

Lily stared at the photo long enough for her vision to blur. Her heartbeat shifted from quick to erratic. Then ice-cold clarity settled in.

He lied.

He said he was working.

He told her he’d be in trauma consult until evening.

He chose her.

You were on the empty fourth floor, curled up with your knees hugged to your chest near the staff lockers, earbuds in. Elias had stepped out ten minutes ago to check on a post-op. Said he’d be right back. Left his coffee beside you, still warm against your arm.

The air carried the faint scent of antiseptic and Elias's cedarwood cologne. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead. Through your earbuds, you could barely hear the distant chatter from the nurses' station down the hall.

You didn’t hear the door.

Didn’t see the needle.

Didn’t even get the chance to scream.

The warehouse was cold. Cement walls. Dim yellow lights swinging overhead casting eerie shadows. Smelled like metal and mildew. You were on the floor. Your arms bound behind your back with rough rope that bit into your skin. Face throbbing where something hard had connected. Vision doubled, making the concrete floor spin beneath you.

Lily was pacing like an animal that had tasted blood, her designer heels clicking against the cement in a rhythm that matched your racing heartbeat.

"Did you think he wouldn’t tell me about you?" she snapped. Her voice echoed off the empty space. "Did you think I wouldn’t notice the way he looks at you?"

You opened your mouth to speak, but she slapped you so hard your cheek burned raw, the metallic taste of blood filling your mouth.

"Don’t lie. Don’t you dare lie. I saw the way you looked at him. I saw the café. You touched him like you owned him."