va woke up shiverin

ing f

k. "Ethan, I'm really sick. I t

ed concerned. "Okay, ba

, pl

ait was long. Ava leaned aga

r hair. For a moment, a tiny

ted. Maybe it wasn' t

voice. "Ethan?

lo

r, her face et

was so stupid, a cooking m

small red mark on her

tly let go o

t happened?

voice soft, his attent

and with an exagg

rt a lot? We need to get a doct

cold clarity wa

103. She could

ad a ti

voice urgent. "Excuse me, my friend here ne

ven glance

tually calle

ening intently as she described

rds the examina

vere flu, prescribed medi

g with Chloe in the waiting area, C

ker of something – g

kay? What d

, her voice flat. "I

you. Chloe, you gon

de and innocent. "Oh, I thin

e home w

make small talk, hi

ooked out

ened, as if her deep emotional wound didn't exist, onl

s was a special