et around Anna's sleeping form. She kis

way to the billing counter. She

n Express card from her wall

it. The machine

the clerk sa

Try this one." She

ed again. "Accou

ehind her groaned an

n crawl up her neck. She stepped aside

ncy fund-showed a negative balance. Deontae had drained th

of her cheek unti

er of the hallway and dial

"Hello?" Hilary's lazy,

abella said. Her voi

ghed. "Can't afford the ER bill,

her mouth. The sound of running

phone tightened until t

t curse. She just hit the re

he stared at the picture she ha

the two-carat diamond wedding ring off her finger.

d the clerk. "I'll be bac

f the mirror. She turned on the faucet and splashed freezing water o

k into a tight, severe bun.

the hospital and h

told the driver.

highway as the gray da

ly on her phone. She drafted an email. S

the tip-line emails for the

the massive iron gate

harply into her bare feet as she marched toward the mansion.