sign cam

en part of her life. Long walks. Late nights studying. Early mo

redness was

settled heavily in her chest at night. No matter how long s

erself it

ation. Checking her email obsessively. Jumping every time her phone

e unease

stomach churn. Coffee-once comforting-now turned her nauseous. Sh

noticed,

e evening, narrowing her eyes as Lina pus

plied quickly

then scoffed. "Don't start creati

o swallow a few bites. The food

pas

a w

ano

t them-assignment deadlines, bus schedules, reminders to chec

ngers

back again.

egan to thud lo

riod w

Stress could do that. Changes in routine. An

t had alread

spital visit in sharp, unwanted flashes. The rushed voices. The clipboard. T

eem

surfaced

mach ti

head down as if someone might recognize her. She grabbed the test quickly and paid

e, she

he door behind them. Lina locked herself in the bathr

nstructions carefu

test on the count

stretched un

y looked back,

li

Unden

ll, sitting hard on the cold tile floor.

ispered. "No

sn't po

hing there-some explanation, some mistake. Her mind raced, search

were

hadn't done anything wrong. She knew that. And yet here she was, star

hosp

tightened

me?" she whispered

n't tell

coul

as if nothing had changed. But her body betrayed her. The nausea worsened. He

ly now, suspicion sharpeni

napped one morning. "Always

" Lina sai

rt acting

oint came thre

iting violently. Her hands gripped the sink as

oom door

here, arms cross

g with you?"

her mouth with trembling finger

gnant,"

n the air, heavy

e doorway behind her aunt

ely. "I swear. I don't know how this happe

and humorless. "Do you e

ried. "I wouldn'

ther?" her un

now," Lina

crashe

into something cold and cruel

n't me

ncle said. "Pac

m. "Please. I hav

that," her aunt snapped,

dn't to

idn't

She took only what she could carry-documents, a few clothes,

the living room, her

she said flatly, "I'

d behind Lina

ght air biting into her skin,

gna

on

t o

h above the streets, Adrian Hale revie

rocedure

it without

" he asked h

ied. "Everything pr

ed, already

oman carrying his future had ju