sia

tiseptic and the sharp, r

robbing pain, a physical reminder

ng music

silence of a hospital room, broke

new rhythm of my life

father's body on the

t, a fresh wave of nau

ted to

stupid part of my heart

would

would

ned, but it

d straight, her dress a sharp, impeccable black

ly on the linoleum as

she said. It wa

abella M

head to toe, lingering for a moment on the bandage covering

as her collar. "About your father's operations. Specifically, any hidden l

ing. I couldn't p

ld think

okay?" I whispere

ut it was a cold, cutting mot

landed like a deliberate sting, a reminder

cupied. With

g in the air, a silen

had mo

all just a means to an end. An

ther com

alli

w fu

ut of my throat, raw and desp

tti didn't ha

slight, satisfied tilt