y lasted t

was already the eve

fall outside

e, not leaving until he

urrounded by the sterile w

p but felt a wav

e, his voice cool. "You ju

my gaze hollow as I s

the scene on the

panic. Arthur c

felt torn

ith despair and a

held gratitud

nwilling to let Art

ew louder, as if we

remembered to

fort warmed

phone screen and qu

ugh, the anesthesia had worn off

ice burst through. "Ohhh... that feels s

s that

gh surgery, was Carl f

he glass, but my fingertips

y thorns, a dull pain

m. "Darling, don't worry. It

eadied my he

aring at the

y bar booth, dim lights

the center of a couch,

was Bianca, the sist

ess, her hair spilling

her body swaying slightly, her

es, the sight made

waist, as if to push her aw

eered. "You chose dare,

Carl, her voice carrying through t

ey whitened, the dull ache s

through my vein

d abru

the phone, as if Carl

eeking of alcohol and, f

ing his mind. "Elizabeth

hat you think. We're playing tru

o save her? Why

nse. Carl came running to me like his life depended on it. I already scolded him. Is your surgery done? He only ju

t listen

ten to her, Elizabeth. I care ab

his face and spoke softly. "She w

ou know Bianca's just my sister. We grew up together. What's wrong with

lov

e m

during my

d to check on me

getting cozy with his so

of 'close' something I don't understand, or are you fooling yourself?"

to control you? We all know Bianca's just your sister. How can she accuse h

antly. "Elizabeth, you shouldn't question m

ready aching wound f

itude hurt

ith sadness but trying to soothe me. "Carl and his sister have