ere in the living room. The moment she stepped through

on," he

d. He was treating her

ed to walk towards the sta

lacating smile. "Kassie has a craving. Could you make her some o

he had once called his favorite, the soup she had made for h

any better. "The smell of food makes her nauseous." He gestured to the mask. "

olerable, unlike everyone else's. It was a

need to think about the big picture. This child is our future.

f her Connor but was a complete stranger. The boy

, her voice flat. "I

easonable. "Good. You should be taking care of her. This baby will be you

ze. "I have o

t is

k," she said. "The o

d, pulling it from his pocket. "It' s just a necklace." He had no idea of its true value, no idea that he was handing b

nd went to the kitche

t out. Connor was feeding Kassie straw

n the table, took the lo

, that strange, empty feeling returned. It felt like he was watching some

d looked at the faded picture of her parents. "I' ll be w

, and threw it in the trash. She was done with him. She fastened the c

oor was kicked open w

ds like vices on her arms, and dragged her down the st

sk of pure rage. He grabbed her

ou do it?"

aw. "What are you talk

is in the hospital! You put wine in her soup! You know she' s allergi