g wound had "dangerously worsene

me in my fath

, replaced by a desperate edge. "Leo needs the family

mmigrant doctor before he built the famil

ulous cure for wounds and infections, but ext

f my grandfather's genius

to be handed

rs welling in her eyes. "It's your fault. If those

me. Of

closer. "I'll marry you, Marcus. I'll be

n the air, heavy

e chose him over m

, her presence as my wif

n the phone, cold and di

nn's body takin

afe behind a bookshelf,

mall, dark via

es lit up

ed it

d, my voice devo

rs trembling. "Oh, Marcus, th

Sera," I cut her off

idway to the via

ha

didn't choose you

l in her still-o

o. And then, get

eechless, the vial c

horror, then a flash o

d turned, running from the

ld emptiness where my

a small price to pay to co

were clear. A