en's

ing the same jeans

ed imme

ays aren't doing it out of choice. And people who still bother to brush their hair and lift the

to shout "gotcha." I could already tell she was scared. But not the usual, trembling kind of scar

l, nervous laugh like she wasn't

her curls back with a hand

voice level. No warmth. No emotio

out hesitation, crossing her arms. Her eyes were sh

xhaus

gr

mission to feel. It hung around her like

ng the folder toward her. "You're smart. An

w. "Okay... weird co

ind of stubborn brightness I hadn't expected. She was practically vibrating with

ack. "I ne

opened a

ou need

. Tempo

Loud. Sharp. It startled even the

Did you say a temporary wife? Is this-like-some weird da

But her eyes? Calculating

. You're clinging to a sister with a chronic illness and no

or a second. Then co

nt at first, like the paper would burn her skin. Then sh

ar. No intimacy. Publ

nsane," sh

re still

your deal, huh? Who hurt you? Why not pick some ric

I could find someone easier. Someon

was di

eeded d

ho wants me. I want someone who

d toss the file in my face. But instead,

istraction.

ted to ask what I meant.

s your

cie

ly. "I'm not doing

and your sister dies slowly

got

her face. Her eyes blazed, and I w

nstipated control freak!" she shouted. "Y

ame th

t see i

ed in the air. The staff outside definitely heard. My he

ngely sa

Let the heat b

rom fury. From guilt. From the storm of emot

Good. Let it out. Don't bot

ike she was waitin

idn

d, "I'll doubl

h opened

you'll have access to the best doctors,

asn't being generous. I

her made it feel l

slowly. Almos

weighed a hundred kilos. Her eyes darted

en she

st her name. Simp

ar

beautifu

ave me one last look. A mixture of s

band now, or just

n't a

, her back straight, shoulders squ

icked shut

d a breath I didn't

ause I

t opened a door I wou