s was cold that October. Colder than

p was for us, a w

, her childhood friend. He claimed he was dying, that he needed an heir. He

kidney. My

oe beli

and, she said, was t

e her. I loved her

l boat on the rocky beach

" she said, her

ags. Minimal supplies, sh

pick up my sa

hat are yo

e smashed it against a

mach d

hlo

wallet from my back pocket, took out my ID, m

Ethan. A new start

I need it." I had only one kidney, her

xecutive assistant, had packed it. He was

he small or

he asked, h

Chloe. This i

n then. I hadn' t even seen him arrive.

ded him t

e. He opened it, poured the pills into his hand, and then tos

ged, but he w

atched, her

an. He needs this baby. You

t me harder

, Chloe! I gave

he said, her voice flat.

t. Not the rental we came

ver the engine' s roar. "Someone will pick you u

hey we

nt, a few cans of food, an

medic

side started, a familiar pain when I

ew. S

, I was shak

he tent. The win

the woman I marrie

e in my body. My b

of her hand in mine, yea

just

t island, alo

ght was her