ghed so hard

eedle taped to the back of her hand

with a trembling a

ovies. A small, engraved plaque on the wall read 'The Cedars-Sinai Presidential S

clock on the bedside table. The

. Her breath hitc

five ye

is was the night of the charity gala. The night she almost d

he deep end of the pool. Then, Kayleigh ran to the press, cry

gh heels hitting marble ech

bed the plastic tubing of the IV an

led down her pale skin and sta

attress. Her bare fe

dow and peered through the

apping a cashmere shawl around Kayleigh's shoulders. Cind

ely pointing a finger at the hospital director. He was d

ainst the wall. He yanked at his sil

ce of trash we dragged out of the slums.

st life, those words would have made her chest tight wi

flutter. She felt nothing but

e blinds and walked int

et and splashed freezi

er face was young. Her skin wasn't scarred by

mile curled the co

oor handle turning

the bathroom. She stood perfectly

y stormed in, her face ti

r lungs hurt. She didn

ssed. "You ruined Kayleigh's limited-edition dres

behind her. His eyes we

ice leaving no room for argument. "You will admit you slipped and

crossed his arms over his chest, looking

Her eyes were red and puffy, but a t

e didn't try to explain

the bedside table and picke

forward, his fists clenching,

k. She drank the ice-cold water in thr

lass down wit

yes swept over their faces with the indiff

Her voice was hoarse, bu

fell de

They were entirely unprepared for this level

eyes. She stepped forward, extending a hand to pla

er weight, dodging

hollow that Kayleigh physically flin

eat had finally broken her spirit. "Good. I

y. "After I sign it, I am leaving this hospi