hur
tor-unstable, dangerous, and utterly magnificent. The air in the room grew heavy, thick with an invisible pressure that made the hair on
face faltered, replaced by a flicker of primal fear. He took an involuntary step back, his throat working as if he was
"I will give you one final chance," I said, my tone flat and cold as a mo
warred with the basic survival instinct telling him to flee. He puffed
ack against the pressure. It was like a child trying to push
his time it was Janae, Caroline's doctor friend, holding a stack of admission f
ave the nerve to show your face here? You worthless, heartless piece of garbage!" She launc
's attention, I shifted my weight slightly, using my body to bloc
nd me. "Get... him... out." Carol
ave receded enough. It was hoarse, painful,
rned back to the bed, his face twisting back into
e air, thrown with surprising force. It hit the wall just
k a ragged breath, her silver-flecked eyes burning with hatred. "And you... you pie
, was the final straw. The actor's mask shattered completely. With a roar of pur
ver m
roaned under the pressure. A choked, strangled cry of pain escaped h
, "that you have a hearing problem." I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a
far wall, landing in a heap of outraged dignity. He cradled his wrist, his eyes wide with a mix
randishing it like a weapon. "Fine! You want to play it this way? You're not dead, so you have n
aid, her voice gaining a little strength. "My lawyer will be drafting a n
ow are you going to afford a lawyer who can go up against
didn't recognize rushed in, her face a mask of overwrought conc
he bed, her arms outstre
demanded, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Better yet, how did
around the room, avoiding everyone's gaze. "I...
with cold, dead eyes. The last flicker of hop
e gave her a look so fleeting, so subtle, that a normal person woul
son. I saw it. I register
"See you in court," he spat at Caroline, th
s before making her own excuses. "I should... I should go get you some soup or s
follow
d, leaving only the three of us in its wake. An
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