city's elite were there, draped in jewels and designer gowns. The moment I walked in on Liam' s arm, a w

sn't it? She l

breakdown after t

on his sister. So strang

e released my arm as soon as we were through the doors and went straight to Chloe's side, placing a protective hand on her back. He fetched her a glass of water, fussed over her chair,

table work, he smiled warmly. "And we have some personal good news to share tonight. A big congratulations t

ion of a shy, expectant mother. Liam beamed, accepting the congratulations as if it were the most natural thing in

shrimp skewers. "Ooh, those look delicious," she said, "but my doctor said I should av

expression flat. "Ava,

said, my voice low and urgen

issively. "Chloe has a craving. It's your duty to help

I had started to feel my throat tighten, my skin itch. Liam had leapt into action, yelling for a manager, demanding an ambulance, his face pale with a

lative sister's whim. A woman sitting at our table, a notorious gossip columnist, overheard. "Oh, p

ght. My hand trembled as I picked up a skewer. My throat already felt tight with anxiety. I put the s

my neck and face. My tongue felt thick, and a wheezing sound started in

is all red!" s

" another one cheered, egged

my vial, my movements clumsy and desperate. I managed to get it open, tipping the contents into my mouth just as my legs gave out from under me. I took