One hundred and forty-four. Each one a marker of time, a

ght and a man in a suit who looked lik

d an air of absolute authority. Behind him trailed a young woman with red-rimmed eyes, cl

sit. He stood at the foot of the bed.

ied to step forward. "

at her. He just silenced her with the g

ck stack of documents onto the bedside ta

ION AGR

nd devoid of empathy, "Carson is invoking the morality clause in your pr

obbing. She let her voice sound weak, confused. "I don't

ent. But the ink is dry. Infidelity. Public into

es. A woman who looked like Ainsley, leaning close

he photo. It felt d

d. "Don't pretend you

the family agrees not to pursue criminal charges for the DUI. We'll

he pen. It was heav

" the girl in th

"One more word, Annie, and you'

ooked terrified. Not

anger amidst the cold calculation. She looked at Annie'

her. He was bu

hated

on's shoulders relaxed.

he document. Legale

y whispered, pressing h

A headache won't g

y said, pushing the papers away

Ainsley. You have no mo

Everything is blurry. I don't know what this is. I don't know who you are." S

looked at her, for the first time. He was searchi

aning back against the pillows, her voice

sn't want t

se. Please... just get out of m

His face was red. "You're making

ey repeated, thi

idn't slam, but the air pr

bed Ainsley's hand. "Oh my god. I

her, her voice instantly clea

ked at the door. "He's...

rst

. Or... she

me away. Kirstie. Th

e, Annie," Ainsley said.