n and Julian were constants, their faces grim, their promises of retribution for

of day for a long time,"

back. "Focus on healin

ry was a relentl

. But Brianna' s p

her cell. A "life-threatening illness," the

, his expression shifting from a

Julian, already standing. "I

o sit up. "Ethan, no.

arlett, she might die. We c

hifting. The 'geni

ce was thin, reedy. "My doc

pital," Ethan said, already a

t me. His devotion, once a solid

tay away from her. She's dange

t, don't be like this. Brianna is... she' s too valuable

word. And what are you, s

clicked shut, a

became less frequent. My calls to Ethan and Julian often went to vo

than explained, his tone clipped. "We'r

"All attention on the rising sta

settling in my chest. The ache of abandonment. The air in the room grew heavy, and outside my window, a sudden downpour began, the rain las