tar hotel than a medical facility. The lobby had a waterfall. Th

ing his request for ID. She knew which r

ed the d

ning light. Lily was sitting up

leather armchair readin

ing on the edge of th

Eleanora cooed, offering

gled and

mother,' the child-hit Emelie like a physical slap. It

Emelie c

eyes went wide with fear. She shrank back again

y whimpered

doorway. "Baby, it

a step

, kicking her legs.

. Eleanora set the bowl d

elie asked, tears springing to

a small finger at Emelie. "She said you made the doc

ze snapped

r face a mask of shock. "Oh my goodness.

sed. "I saved her life! Th

cried. "Daddy, m

. He scooped Lily into his arms. "Shh, shh,

ifton's neck, turning her

head, his voice stern. "You're upse

, Clifton! She's b

eing you is triggering it. You were very... agg

ecause she was dyin

pitying look. She reached out to touch Emelie's arm. "You're

e

nora's hand. She slap

t tou

on barked. "Apo

lding their child, protecting her from

Emelie

bling back. "I love you,

n't turn

heart felt like it had been rippe

idn't take the elevator. She took the stairs, stumb

rgency exit into the all

l and slid down, sobbing into he

inutes, the

face with her sle

ting, replaced by a co

dure to weaponize a child against her mother.

membered

ut to touch her arm, her sl

was a bruise. A small, dark purple hema

der, fading yellow,

't have track marks on

s. Or blood draw m

ut her phone. S

o something ille

," Harper repl

her botox doctor. Her real doctor. She has needle tracks o

elie... be careful. If you dig up dirt on C

staring up at the window of