A System's Cruel Joke

y shoved the pill bottle under her pillow and forced herself to s

he wall behind him. She didn't want his pity,

f genuine concern. He watched as she expertly popped two pills

he observed, a note of unease in his voice.

ot wanting to get into

is weight, his purpose for being there finally

her nightstand. "Clara made her specialty, se

tomach clench. She was allergic to shellfish. It wasn't a mild allergy; it was the kind that sent her to the emergency room. Ethan, of all

she said, her voic

hy not? It's really good.

d, finally meeting his gaze. Her look was c

lowed by a flush of guilt. "Oh. I... damn, I'm sorry,

tence for him in her mind. With Clara takin

ce to the wall. "It's fine. I'm n

k with his guilt and her resignation. Finally, he

ouldn't touch. She felt a wave of dizziness and barely made it to the bathroom before she threw up. The System'

m floor, her phone buzzing on the counter. It wa

d will be delivered tomorrow. We

er. She had ordered them months ago, during that brief, happy period when she thought things were getting better.

ets were meaningless now. They would probably end up

was the point? Let them come. Let them be a final, silent testament to wha

named Leo. Clara had made several "jokes" about being allergic to him, sneezing dramatically whenever he was near. Olivia kn

her university, a kind girl named Sarah

her voice steady. "I need to ask y

. "Take him? Why? I

cted, and I can't take him with me. I don't trust anyone else t

special food. As she handed the carrier to Sarah at the front door, her

ur through the carrier door. She was entrusting the l

again. Daniel and Ethan walked in, their expressi

Daniel demanded, his eyes fixed on the