pool, shivering, water dripp

hed me, their faces a mixtur

towel. No one ask

ment I walked in, still damp and shaking. They stopped

d, her hand flying to her throat.

wearing it, Maya! I let you try it on this morning!

d was her only link to her "abducted" past. Susan had be

hadn't even seen her that morn

cket, Chloe," I said, m

shrieked. "Chloe is distraught!

the chorus. "Of course she took it.

ed, clutching Ethan's arm. "It's all I have lef

She played the victim perf

ple with rage. He grabbed my

rat?" he snarled. "Did you thr

ds the pool room. "You'r

usted, ill, and now terrified. "I di

ut that," Davi

y, holding a long pool skimm

e skimmer to

, his voice flat. "Consider it payme

my dignity, redu

y hands. "Get in. And you're no

stood by the edge, watch

poolside chair, as if

g off," Mark warned, a smirk o

clothes were still damp, clinging to me like a

th the net, my movements clumsy and weak. Th

ached. My h

" David

hloe said, her voice laced with ma

e just watched, his e

y arms burning, my body numb

was low,

onight, Maya," he said, "you'll

is eyes were cold, devoid of any aff

y me for Chloe.

the pool, tears mixing with th

et snagged

ng hands, I

e mesh, was the tarn

and she'd "lost" it during

my hand shaking

ally and snatched it.

id thank

ed me out o

s miraculous recovery, and walked away, leaving me