/1/113809/coverbig.jpg?v=07fc8645b3468b9edaeac53116a2691e&imageMogr2/format/webp)
iseptic assaulted Jaclyn's nose
pain ripped through
Manhattan private hospital room burned her retinas. The heavy re
ungs felt like they were
the thin hospital gown. Her fingertips met the cold, t
ped beating fo
scrubs walked in. Her eyes were wide, her mo
suffered a severe hemorrhage from the fall down th
inging erupted i
n her pale cheeks. Her fingers dug into the sterile white bedsheet
f high heels echo
d her younger cousin Cherri walked into the room. Thei
telyn told the nurse, her ton
odded and s
out and pressed the lock button on the handle. A s
from Katelyn's face. A co
ge of the mattress. She looked do
thy giggle. The sound scrape
s trailing down to Jaclyn's bandaged
Jaclyn's chest heaved. She forced her heavy arm to move,
fingers clamped down on Jaclyn's wrist
could smell the expensive vanill
nger tapped a rhythmic, mocking beat against Jaclyn's trapped ar
ated. Her breath hi
s she had trusted with her life. Her brain flatlined, unable
"A grieving, unstable mother is so much easier to declare legally i
f pure, unadulterated rage pum
pward, trying to sit
A fresh wave of agony exploded in her pelvis. She
ghed loude
g. She pulled out a folded piece of pape
masterpiece,"
was a copy of a trust fund transfer agreement. At th
flawles
cy weren't rumors. Her uncle had drained h
choked out, her throa
wn the collar of her silk blouse. A dark, purple bru
ed us plan it,
ck of her throat. She turned her head and dry-heaved over
psychiatric facility upstate," Katelyn stated coldly
th to scream. She nee
natched the spare pillow from the armchai
e heavy fabric pressed against her n
ir. Her fingernails scratched at Cherri's forearms
ck spots danced behin
d outside the door. A
i by the shoulder and
ive, ragged breath. Her chest heaved viole
he doctor rushed in,
lready crying. Real tears
" Katelyn sobbed, covering her mouth in fa
wild. Her face was red and covered in sweat. Her c
r ordered the nurse. "She's h
cords were bruised from the pi
yn's left arm. Strong
y. She kicked her legs, ignoring
swab wiped he
e doctor said, his voice compl
of the needle
ad and locked eyes with Katelyn and Cherri
memory. She memorized the exact
tive hit her bloodstream. Her eyeli
n her chest burned h
ned over th
lyn," Katelyn m
f the room
husband flashed in her mind. Gaines Acevedo. The man s
sense of regret
ady, rhythmic beep of the heart monito
r palm. "A masterpiece," she repeated, before slipping it back into her des
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