id it was pne

night in the Nor'eas

barely able to walk. Now I was in a small,

on

tal. So sorry! Chloe's having a tough day, needs m

elt like a

and out of a

heard voices in the hallway.

ugh and through. We always knew she was special. Maya? Oh, she was just... you know.

aceh

my head, each syl

n warm, but this casual cruelty..

e helped me t

heavily on the IV stand, I pass

ing by a bed, spoon-fe

lo

ly ill. She was propped up against fluff

e sighed, her voice delicate. "I was jus

thing for you, Chloe. You just foc

er lips wit

s so intimat

to his brief, dis

n come to see

doting on Chloe

ust the pneumonia anymore. It

ppeared in my doorway. His fa

his voice cold. "

at him, too we

into the room. "She thinks you're angry with

my voice hoarse. "Mark, I'm the on

snapped. "This is just like that

years ago. Chloe h

ark had been careless, hadn't sec

nd "irresponsible." David had lectured me for an hour abou

f something went wrong, Ma

ow," I said, finding a sliver of strength. "I'm sick bec

e of Chloe. His priority. And frankly, Maya, who do you think you ar

said, my voice trembling.

ient? Someone to make us look good? Someone to kee

al, designed to inf

oe is settling in would cause a scandal. Bad PR. Once she's establ

dal. B

em. A potential embarr

ter. Not ev

effort of talking, the weight

anced in fron

and distorted, "Oh, for God'

, no

llap