was a constant, g

l, off-key sound, as

a! A clear space for

ave the remote for th

xclaim, retrieving it wi

ome, her condescens

one afternoon, watching me struggle to reach a

ook fall. "

orries so much. He just wa

pping trips, her vibrant social life,

too close, her perfume, a cloyin

, almost imperceptible gesture,

th, her fertility, he

part too. The c

y least favorite kind, li

en your da

e adoption again, g

Ava. A little one t

ck to Chloe, a sha

eigning con

ig decisi

now you'll make the

oe was "helping"

ront of me. Steamed veg

covery

icher meal for Ethan when he arrived

er hand brushing his as

intimat

n't even

lent observer of the

ate sat u

clearing the dishes,

elchair, his face

, Ava. Are you

very hungr

is stress... it's not good for you

hand. His

"before the accident... how much you wa

full of hope, planning a future

wound, to remind me of w

ore pliable

d my ha

han. I think I

urprised by

rse, da

, I heard Chloe' s soft

s like grit

t they were

ere forging me into som

n wasn't just

t dismantli