gave me a sur

hospital bed, my mind

told Carl he had three

them up, I

days, he betra

when he left t

hed her to the hospital, i

nce rem

ouldn't disapp

would walk aw

me, and exhaustion p

scent invaded m

Bianca'

d Carl like an i

rper sensat

breath brushed

heartbeat

open, cold sweat d

shed, the pain st

hard, refusin

palms, drawing bloo

I repeated

m our bond's connec

hrobbed, compounding t

yself, like an

all Carl and

touched the phon

ntered fo

arranged a bottle

ttle, my fing

e bitter liquid, its icy st

d, and I could no longer

e bottle's labe

nk why Arthur

e saw m

ard, I closed my eyes, tea

up his las

too

ping for a truth tha

, I requeste

ced the already-drafted "

sound of keys turn

was b

reath, clutchin

ain through my wound, like

Carl was bending t

t lingered on

ning. "Why aren't

n't a

anded over the "Bond

thout a ripple. "Carl

nded on the

scoffed, pushin

his tantrum? I only took Bianca to get her

ghten, breathing difficult. "Car

he reached for my shoul

rose, laced with the grievance of being wronged. "Bianca

t a cold

r neck, and even..." I pa

me explain..." Carl frowned. "I've said I

back firmly. "Carl, I

When we bonded, I said you had three chances. Now, t

l realize I wasn'

ir in my eyes, h

is grip so tight it ne

ce. "Elizabeth, I r

ed. "Love me? Carl, when you lie so muc

oward the bedroom. "I've signed it. Don't forget to si