her, do you?" I asked my

. My mother just looked away, fiddling with the

d happened, leaving me alone in the hallway. I was an incon

e concern for her. My parents' weary acceptance of her story. It was a

"accidental" allergic reactions. The constant, subtle digs that made me que

ll been given to the daughter they raised. I was jus

ne who saw through Adeline's games. He was the one w

omise w

ine's room. He was standing behind her, his hand resting

n anymore. It had chosen

e feeling of a final, complete break. They we

was a sham. And the baby inside me, my last h

ne. A placeholder. The thought was so

. Suddenly, a crippling cramp seized my abdomen.

flowed down my legs. T

dy myself, but my legs gave ou

my voice weak. "Ple

face draining of all color when he saw the b

movements frantic. "Hang on, Cali

onscious thought was a desperate praye

m. The first thing I saw was Axel's face,

nce would have been my anchor, now just felt like

ee was him with Adeline. Him touchi

of my eyes. I turned my head a

ith emotion. "It's all my fault. I should have taken bet

ything happens to you or th

ty. A desperate, e

rry for her, that's all. I promise, I'll find her a pla

in and echoed his words, their faces masks of regret. They admitted they'd been careless, that th

ll of them. But I was too

nding to be asleep. "I'

ent, acceptin

was a soft knock on the doo

whisper. "What are you doing h

orry, Calista," she said, her voice dripping with fa

should go home and rest. I can stay

lt-ridden, readily agreed. Th

the three of us.

, Adeline," Axel s

ou're right. I'll just go. I'll