onstantly ached and her throat burned. Martha watched her with hawkish suspicion, meticulously documenting every bizarre bite and sending daily encrypted reports to Sterling. Yet, Sterling, ent

nded Celestia the exa

the hall to the sterile medical wing. She chewed aggressively

t, white-tiled clinic. The smel

vate physician in a crisp white coat,

k on the examination table. She pulled ou

nxiety. She rolled up her sleeve, prayi

around Celestia's arm. She expertly foun

arp pinch. She turned her head awa

rapid centrifuge machine. It began hum

ablet. She reviewed Celestia's chart, frownin

s of raw allium and beta-carotene?" Dr.

shoulders. "I just developed a sudden, intens

But before she could press further, th

rinted result slip from the machine. He

nails dug painfully into her own pal

elestia and announced formally,

sigh of relief. The crushing tension

ss Celestia's face. She was unable

ick, sharp note in the medical file regarding

She looked expectantly at the

cern. "Furthermore, her behavior is completely inconsistent with a willing, highly compensated surrogate. I am officially flagging her

he immediately turned on her heel and stepped out

bedroom by the two silent guards

om. She splashed freezing cold water on her f

stomach pain, she crawled into bed. She fell i

she was abrup

g and loud shouting echoed in

to the heavy oak door and presse

. She demanded fresh linens and Sterling's preferred vi

s knob. She peeked through a na

uls of expensive, freshly pressed su

l blow to the stomach. Sterling Sincla

ago vanished instantly. It was replaced b