hrough Sarah' s thin c

as she trudged from the hospital, h

llar closer to maybe, j

e clockwork, student loans for a com

th, not just from the cheap c

harp and sudden, of

ing a cheap plastic doll, watching

ck for you, sweetie," and th

ead, trying to di

d to get to the cashier

uilding when a sleek, black SUV pulled up,

window gl

ea

in quiet luxury, no

heart a cold lu

ice was smooth, cultured, a voice S

stared, her

door, stepping out on

distaste crossing her perfect

or said, attempting a warm smi

was rough, unused to speaking to

. "I... I need to talk to you.

he word w

Sarah said, her tone flat

y urgent, a crack in the polished surface. "J

Brother? I don't

ched out, then dropped. "It's complicat

sive clothes, the luxury car, th

was a punch

aid, turning toward

th your while," El

the doorknob. Twenty years

as, it smelle

esper