dow, her heart pounding in her chest. S

it. The machine

iped it agai

rk said, sliding the card b

looked at the line forming behind her. The

id, her voice tight. "My h

t wasn't a mistake

was for her to save her life in case of an emergency, in addition

eir lives arrived, but he fr

ide her, pulling out her own

swiped it.

's shoulder, guiding her away from

burning away the embarrassment. "He thinks if I can'

ne with Dr. Augustine Frye. He's the head of Pedia

Kiley asked. "B

best research facility in the state,"

oved. By afternoon, Kiley was in the back of an ambulance, holding Jules's hand as the sirens

r door opened, and Albin Whitfield stepped out. He was tall, dressed in a charcoal suit that

t him. "Mr. Whitfield, your mother had a ro

w his stride. "I

ggling to keep up. "She

n of a second, then resumed. "She n

tic hitting them. Albin moved through the lobby like a shar

s bigger, brighter. The nurses were efficient and kind. Dr.

ost," Dr. Frye said. "I've reviewed the tests.

to get some air, clutching the thick stack of medical records to her ches

eyes on the papers, not w

. The files slipped from her han

ed, dropping to her kne

her. He had been walking fast, his mind on

as a mess, and she smelled of stale coffee and hospital soap. But there was

ckle at the back of h

lbin said, his voice cold. He

lips. She saw the expensive suit,

r voice tight. She grabbed

down the hall. Leo followed, glanci

at?" Leo as

ng the bridge of his nose. "

nt of pine and something expensive lingered in the air. Sh

was sitting up in bed, her eyes red and puffy. In her

hing. He walked over and gently took the

face. "My baby boy. He didn't deserve to die in that tower. He didn't

the grief, always simmering just below the surface, threatened to choke him. Caleb had

said, his voice thick. "I'll make s

herapy drip was attached to his arm, the poison slowly

pered, his eyes hea

sting in her heart. "Dad's busy, sweethear

ed out her phone. A text from

divorce lawyer in the city. T

trap. It's toilet pa

e. The city that had built her up was now trying to tear her down. But she