cut through

ost. January

een, my words echoin

rflowing. I don't want Mom and Dad, or Michael, to find them. Jessica sai

nt through

e wavered for

he was always a lia

im, scrolling t

y 20th,

id of emotion, letting m

om, Dad, or Michael. They told me. I'm adopted. They said it doesn't chan

omed in on Mi

t. He looked awa

and on his arm. "Darling, you

tion flashing in his eyes bef

ichael said, his voice low and da

tinued, r

20th,

. I don't know why. Just seeing him makes my heart race. I get so nervous. Is

ream chat w

e wanted h

r not, tha

thing, having to de

aint for puttin

e on the big scree

ing towards the tech booth, s

ared. "We're do

essica's arm

n, Ms. Hayes. You both signed an agreement before this int

moved to block

ichael's grip, her face a mask of

After a long, tense moment, he slowly return

broadcast resumed. The ai

was poised over

5th,

e was so

both have fevers. He insisted I take the last of the fever medicine. I'm so weak. Through the haze, I heard him...

ning fever, the world shrinking

t. She glanced at Michael, but he was st

nued. "June

bed across the narrow aisle. He just keeps looking at me. I touched my face, asked him what he w

course. He had said that. And for

. A few confused emojis.

his r

ke a damn

said that

ice brough

10th,

went home together. I just want t

said, his voice gentle, "is of

ng the image lin

hand in mine, warm and stro

that ne

voice laced with carefully

chael... I... I had no idea. I didn't kno

. I should have tried harder to guide her. To help her see reason.

r into his arms,

ar hatred. "It's not your fault, Jess. Sarah was always chasing

it all o

t entire

step into the darkne

s finger stopped again, three

ber 10t

ther. A cocktail waitress, she called herself. Said