slipped by in

ly rang, sharp

e routine, I wiped my fing

ly. "I heard you've recently returned to the country. Would the Jones Group have the honor of inviting

till recognized Karson's voic

art r

wondered whether he co

d my lips into a slow, knowin

tone at once. "Alright. Would

ed the call with

d closer to the mirror and studied my ref

e mirror showed me a woman I a

tom-blended cosmetic across my skin, a formula t

neath bland, unremarkable makeup, then finished the disguise with a

worried that I might still be alive, spend

this mask, wearing it like armo

led to remember which ve

ally convinced Karson and Lilah th

onally acclaimed perfumer, I returned to At

e back everything you've stolen from me," I muttered under my

ep, I went downstairs and sta

erged from the corner of the stre

n the brake, the tires

crumpled to the pavement, frozen in terr

est as I rushed out of the

e, dressed in a pink princess gown, her wide eyes swimmi

r feat

ed a strange, aching familiari

the image of the baby I lost fiv

een a gir

uries were already fatal-my pulse fading, my body barely holdi

ice-cold body in my arms, crying unti

and suffocating, sending wav

rl's tearful gaze again,

ings showed no adults nearby

e reckless enough to let a c

ething happ

e girl's level and softened my tone. "H

e loose, tears spilling down fast as

said she'd take me shopping, but then... then, she just le

through me, tightening my c

gently, "Do you remember where

o shake as if caught in a sudden chill. Her head shook as she whimpered, "I don't want to go home..

t surged into my chest as

woman would scare

reported to

ly clutched her chest, her breaths turning shallow

ecognition set in-every sign

ment, this could spiral

y arms, I rushed her to my car, settling her gently int

or's swift intervention, the girl's breathing s

rrow hospital bed, long lashes still clumped toget

the damp tracks on her cheeks

the police, the door to th

ed suits charged inside, their express

, "Who do you think you are, barging in here like

ding male voice that rose from behind the

and now, you're standing there,