dousing of frigid water, shocking me out of my

that had happened long ago. This was the quiet sw

eft to save. Nothin

hing left

these people behind me, was no longer

ly, my body trembling not with fea

fingers flying across the

ce low and urgent. "The im

mother's voice was a soothing balm. "They said it

, a wave of relief washi

away from the house, from th

eded to go back to the house one last time to retrieve my passpo

with my key, the door was p

eyes narrowing with sus

ng sneaking aroun

d. "Are you calling the police ag

wn the stairs. He saw me

or

ene and looked at the scr

e immigration lawyer were right there.

ched the phone back, my movement sharp a

self with my family anymore." I deliberately powered the phone off, the screen going

slightly, but his eyes wer

his voice sharp. "They already told you,

t like a slap. Don't be difficult. Let

gs and had to lean again

yes clear. "No. I was ju

h. What about? Is everything okay? If you need

e a source of comfort,

e eye. "Can you really hand

d's hesitation, his voice full of a

deep brea

e air. "I don't feel well. My head hurts. Yo

r head, her fac

tween us. The familiar con

ere. I'll take her to the emergency room and be right back.

pend hours, maybe days, catering to her every whi

ything. I just

hant, spiteful look over her shou

d, leaving me alone

empty space wh

me alone," I whispered to the e

t he would neve

in a blur. Ethan didn't c

flowers at the hospital. A video of him peeling an orange for her. A selfie of

pain was gone. There was only a vast, hollo

had given me over the years and transferred the money to my paren

ay, Ethan fina

been. He just grabbed my arm

, his voice tense.

ng?" I asked, pul

eeting my eyes. "She's having a party. Sh

room's temperature traced a path down my

y voice shaking. "I don't want to ha

voice rising. "Is her birthday more important t

se. Her emotions are still unstable. The doctor said we can't u

promise, after her condition is stable, we'll get re

promises. The s

lled me out the door and into his car, a