pte

returned i

erile scent o

of a light too brigh

led and distorted, as though

tle of papers. "Weak... most likely stress-induced collap

Always stress. Always my

, plain, sterile, and endless. The rhythmic beeping

tor standing near the bed with a clipboard. His face carried t

in. Whatever situation you're under, your body is tel

whispered, fin

lm your nerves, to help with the dizziness. But please, do

ow. None of t

announced before the world, the sharp burn of gossip still echoing through glitteri

iliation filmed and shared ac

creaked open. The sound was small, but it cu

ni

d money and power. His expression was unreadable, sculpted into a mask

ped the ground out from under me

els clicking with maddening pre

ugh my husband's presence carried wei

bs, your

moothly. His tone was cool an

oat formed his name befo

nie

n. The doctor, clearly uncomfortable, placed a small bottle o

ing the door behind him. The sile

alm for a heartbeat, then hurled it onto the bed. The plastic burst open. Pills sc

ll, making me look like the villain. Was that your plan, Ava? To fake weakness in fro

ed into me, cr

t fake anything. I..." The tears burned hot as I swallow

ng the victim. Always trying to turn the story in your favor. Did you think thi

to believe I was acting, because the truth,

he sound I

ght

eminine

zab

he wall, her arms folded, h

tly, her tone dripping with venom. "If I did no

king my pain was a privat

kered across his face. He didn't look at me like his wife. He looked

into my palms. I felt something crack inside me, but

n. A

oated again, cutting

She can barely sit up. Do you really want t

ss than human, as though I were some broke

, and for a breath, I thought I sa

ot even to me. To himself. To her.

ked. "Then end

ody refused to break further

ng myself upright despite the dizziness that s

me, a flicker of surpri

y voice trembled, but the words

t again, louder this time

g to sound strong whe

not with amusement but

hand came down suddenly, gripping my jaw so tight I thought he

. That is where I put you, an

own my neck. My vision blurred with

yed, they would have to

uld not die

ie as Daniel Cobb