The Monster They Made: Now He's Free

s next mess

celerating. Systemic failure imminent within 72 ho

n. Or their

seemed

felt a strang

was bette

in my body was b

nd a chilling cold seeped into my bon

so t

hone rang. It

ckered. Maybe she was calling to see

nsw

You' re looking so much better already!

! We' ll have that celebratory dinner

triumph. "Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Oliv

bably in Julian' s hospital ro

ed they' d called me. O

tly hu

died, leaving behind

ilure. It sounde

dar on my phone. Toda

had rem

not Eleanor

usy fawning over Julian, the g

would bake my favorite cake. Oli

d the accelerating d

over me, and I gripped the

seemed

was right.

ck my vitals from Rich

r. Miller, are you feeling alri

red," I

bruises on my arm, t

nt in telling her the tr

ler and left, her exp

ital' s internal TV channel, gi

human interest" story on the brave

ingle tear rolling down his che

optive brother" who was "generou

t mentio

iny smirk playing on his lips before he com

taunt, ju

watching. He kne

, Olivia cam

ing heavily on her arm, looking like

today. We' re taking him back to the Harrison mansion. You' ll co

ence with Olivi

ere, in my space,

e his caretake

a constant,

re must be singl

have the stre

istening?" Olivia snap

lfish. Julian needs care. Th

ia, don't be harsh on him. M

ing his chest, his eye

rushing to support him.

whispering somethi

ck to me, her

ne! Your negativity

lly belie

to Julian,

She genuinely believed I was the vil

ze? For what? For breathin

weak. I was weary, so

w. Or maybe it was, and I' d

s the small bathroom in my ho

and for a split seco

possessiveness in his eyes as he l

was back. He

his voice soft and pleading. H

hard for you. But I

y worn leather duffel bag in the cor

e. "And your collection of vintage band t-shirts... Oliv

amily, my fiancée, my heal

o erase me

on the framed photo

Buddy, my go

my only source of uncondi

lit up with a

g with false sweetness. "Such a wonderf

ivia, his expre

ter... maybe Buddy could spend some time with m

Not Buddy. He wou