The burning pain in my lower body was gone

by my bed, her e

wake," she

re was only darkness. Thick band

s carefully. "The doctors did everything they could, but the da

parts. She m

injury caused permanent nerve damage. I' m

e sorrow, as if she were a

llowed-out shell.

she had

ared at the door, her fa

It was cold. "I' m so, so sorry. I swear, I only told them to injure

oice firm. She shot Emily a warning look. "It was the subordi

bed, her tears f

just... I was confused." She sobbed. "Alex and I... we' ve had fee

s a mistake. A terrible mistake. But Emily loves Alex. The best thing fo

ng me, expecting m

ath, my voic

kay

m went

y asked, looki

aining a sliver of strength. "

ocked. This wasn' t th

ross Susan' s face. Pu

for the best. You need to focus on your recovery." She patted my arm. "It was

y father sent a

" I asked. "

xpression

was very public and embarrassing. We' ve sent him to a private recov

. A seamles

id, standing up. "Emily, let' s g

was quiet again. The sil

he beep of the heart monitor. Then, slowly,

hidden phone, a cheap burner I' d kept for y

when she took me in, calling them a bad influence.

n' t remember me, or worse, tha

all button for the f

ang

? Holy crap, man, w

ull of concern. Relief washed over

our help,"

. We' ve been worried sick.

is David Miller. My mother says he' s in a recovery

hout hesitation. "We' re on it. W

heart pounding with a

It was the pro

few hours later. H

ery center. It' s a private psychiatric hos

f dread tighten

n named Robert Davis. And the funding...