t like hours, the pain i

cattered after taking

ed, surprisingly

ll in her pocket, she might have rec

They' d

mbled for it. My finger

t turned on. And yes, in my p

their voices, Jessica

n my face, mixing

w closer. A dog walker had found me, their

e. The hospital was brigh

a clean snap. The

of a painkiller-induced

voice hoarse. I played th

tened intently. "We'll look into this, Ms

odd

urst into my hospital room, their

wailed, rushing to my bedside,

ard. This is terrible. Those th

d the award for Best

hey're here to shut

ssed, then Karen

ild. She makes mistakes. These boys, they must ha

s, it'll ruin her life. Her college a

right. Come live with us. In the big house. We'll pay for your college, any college you want

scrolling furiously, mock

live in luxury IF you p

s faces. They thought I was sti

solve set

isingly steady. "I'll sign a l

s lit up w

"only if you sign so

wned. "Wh

ipation. No financial ties, no control over me, ever again. You give m

Karen's eyes were greed

ts were in

: She's actual

ghter: GE

Karen said, but there was no

ly conditio

hispering. It d

ittle too eagerly. "We'll

man with a briefcase. The documents were signe

ng the attack was by persons unknown to me and I wished for lenien

ng, and practically

ey think th

losed behind them, I

charges and admitting Jessica's involvement," I said. "And I'm ready to mak

rim. "Thank you, Ms. Miller

of lightness filling me d

t move w