ok an hour and cost more than Denice's monthly rent. She stopped three feet from the bed, her smile freezing as she took i

ture of surprise that looked rehearsed. "I'

o his side, fingers curling into a f

s automatic, proprietary, and Denice watched it with an expression that might have been carved from stone. "He's having

said. The word

for your loss. Elek was-" She paused, glanced at Jaspe

ound the IV line, fingers tracing t

much in common." She laughed, a silvery sound. "Everyone used to say how much you looked like me. Back when Jasper and I were-" Another

nd-

tremor of her hands. Five years, and she'd convinced herself it didn't matter. That she'd mishear

lent, and the truth she'd buried was ri

her. Tell her how silly everyone was. How you ju

young. Stupid." He looked at Denice, and for a moment she saw somethin

't ma

e'd built to survive this nightmare-they crumbled. She was nothing. Had always been nothing. A substit

closed on th

pu

her hand in a thin red line. She didn't feel it. She was already moving, s

asper reach

Don't-" Her voice broke. She didn't care. "You want a child? Fine. Send me a schedule. I'll be there. But don't-" She swallowed,

mile had slipped, showing something und

nice said. "He's all

. Her hand left bloody prints on the handle, on the f

e carpet, her hospital gown flapping open in the back. She didn't care. She co

ator doo

he button for the lobby, watc

r, his hand raised, his face twisted wit

slid down the wall and pressed her bleeding hand