t of a city washed clean by the storm. The rage from the nig

inate parent-teacher communication. An email from the school secretary was forwarding a reminder to the Martinez family that

nd perfectly formed,

fessional, but it subtly hugged her curves. She spent an hour on her makeup, staring at her reflection as if trying to recognize the stranger looking bac

warm smile for the girl's nanny, explaining she'd take her to an appointment t

s clicking rhythmically on the polished linoleum floors. She projected an aura of calm, mater

she leaned in, giving the nurse

parents are very particular. They've heard wonderful things about Dr. Reynolds and wou

and checking a schedule. "Dr. Reynolds is a cardioth

But Chloe is a special patient of his, a unique case he's been

ld beside her, wore her down. She made a quick call to Dr. Reynolds' office to confirm. Seeing it as a bother

at all," Kass

forty-five minutes. Finally, the door to the inner hallwa

e called, his voice

she saw his eyes narrow, a dangerous glint appearing in their blue depths as he recognized her.

, turning and leading the

ere in the small room instantly became charged.

is voice softening slightly as he introduced himself. He began the routine check-up, his movements

was racing. She had imagined herself walking in like a femme fatale, all confidence and allure. Ins

nter, but misjudged the distance. Her hip bumped the edge of the metal

eathed, her face flooding with he

e otoscope. "Leave them," he

bling around her. This was not the plan. She was supposed to be composed. Allurin

p, and his eyes met hers for a brief, intense moment. It was a look that said, I kno

out a red lollipop, handing it to

water fountain in the hall?" he suggested to th

e room, and the door clicked sh

nce was

a dozen times on the bus ride over. She would lean against his desk,

ck, her mind blank. The confident woman

, amused drawl as he leaned back against the examination table,

ack. He was toying with

was wondering," she said, hating the slight tremor in her

cross his chest, his gaze sweeping over her with an unnerving, analytical intensity. He w

es-every piece of her plan was held together by desperation and tape. But that was precisely what made it interesting. He wan

t the clock

e flat and cold. He pushed a signed school fo

across her face. She took the form, her fingers brus

g so hard she could feel it in her throat. She hadn't felt a sense of triumph, not yet. It was more like the terrifying, electrifyi

with a man about to enter Ethan's office. He caught her shoul

sed curiosity from her to the closed door behind her. "Don't

eeks flushing. "Chloe's teach

limsy that excuse was. "Right. The form." He ga

against the linoleum, his knowing