nd that didn' t reach my eye

r so long," I continued, playing my part

in, his voice suddenly sharp

taking a step closer. "I'll take care of

take care of me? The man who let me nearly die of a broken heart?

the hallway, clutching her stom

y. He rushed to her side, his face etched

d, his voice full of panic. He hurried d

fell sil

ms around my knees. The mask I wore crumbl

d them away. I would n

things myself. I filled box after box, sealing a

f Kylee's fake moans and Evertt's soothing whispers f

eyes, shutti

hrown into chaos. Lights flashed

carrying Kylee down the stairs

ng is getting worse." "Mr. Martin is so w

ting out the noise and

was laid out on the dining table to welcome them

n she looked at me with fake sympathy. "I'm so sorry, Du

brief and dismissive. "I'll have t

ork, eating silently. The foo

peeled a shrimp for her. She deliberately licked

tness gripped my throat,

n asked the chef, "What kind of

a dawning horror. I spat

peanut oil, ma'am. Mr. Martin said it'

enched the

y allergic

a reaction so bad he had rushed me to the emergency room in the middle o

or their baby, he had forgotten

chest felt tight, and my breat

g was wrong. "Helen? What is it

eak, but no s

e stood up, moving

rp cry, clutching her stomac

tt f

ning blue, then looked at Ky

e his

is hands ba

lifted Kylee

ng you to the hospital," h

look at

thing I saw was his back as he c