s of Singapore glittering outside my window. But I wasn't

ng of a man living a life he didn't earn. I had tolerated it. I had paid the bills, sent the money, and assumed that was enough. I had bought their comfort, but I hadn't ensured

sister, Sarah. She lived two states away, but

alright?" Sarah's voic

with me. How is Mom? I can't g

ant pause. I could hear

voice barely a whisper. "Mark always answers. He says she's sleeping, or in the garden, or not

u belie

. Chloe, the last time I did speak to her, she sounded... off. Not h

in the air between us, c

is very wro

ered. "I just didn'

anage this from across the world. I swivel

mergency. Returning to the US immediately." I didn't wait for a reply. I booked the

didn't even bother going to my own apartment in the city,

ed against my ribs. The manicured lawns and big, silent houses looked alien.

en I s

remembered, lost in that oversized coat. Her hair was a mess, and her face was smudged

art b

alled out, trying to

om

intelligence, were wide and frightened, like a startled deer. She

ly tried to hide the sandwich behind her back,

oice hoarse. "What... what ar

to pull the coat tighter around herself, as if she could somehow disap