t of a city washed clean by the storm. The rage from the nig
inate parent-teacher communication. An email from the school secretary was forwarding a reminder to the Martinez family that
nd perfectly formed,
fessional, but it subtly hugged her curves. She spent an hour on her makeup, staring at her reflection as if trying to recognize the stranger looking bac
warm smile for the girl's nanny, explaining she'd take her to an appointment t
s clicking rhythmically on the polished linoleum floors. She projected an aura of calm, mater
she leaned in, giving the nurse
parents are very particular. They've heard wonderful things about Dr. Reynolds and wou
and checking a schedule. "Dr. Reynolds is a cardioth
But Chloe is a special patient of his, a unique case he's been
ld beside her, wore her down. She made a quick call to Dr. Reynolds' office to confirm. Seeing it as a bother
at all," Kass
forty-five minutes. Finally, the door to the inner hallwa
e called, his voice
she saw his eyes narrow, a dangerous glint appearing in their blue depths as he recognized her.
, turning and leading the
ere in the small room instantly became charged.
is voice softening slightly as he introduced himself. He began the routine check-up, his movements
was racing. She had imagined herself walking in like a femme fatale, all confidence and allure. Ins
nter, but misjudged the distance. Her hip bumped the edge of the metal
eathed, her face flooding with he
e otoscope. "Leave them," he
bling around her. This was not the plan. She was supposed to be composed. Allurin
p, and his eyes met hers for a brief, intense moment. It was a look that said, I kno
out a red lollipop, handing it to
water fountain in the hall?" he suggested to th
e room, and the door clicked sh
nce was
a dozen times on the bus ride over. She would lean against his desk,
ck, her mind blank. The confident woman
, amused drawl as he leaned back against the examination table,
ack. He was toying with
was wondering," she said, hating the slight tremor in her
cross his chest, his gaze sweeping over her with an unnerving, analytical intensity. He w
es-every piece of her plan was held together by desperation and tape. But that was precisely what made it interesting. He wan
t the clock
e flat and cold. He pushed a signed school fo
across her face. She took the form, her fingers brus
g so hard she could feel it in her throat. She hadn't felt a sense of triumph, not yet. It was more like the terrifying, electrifyi
with a man about to enter Ethan's office. He caught her shoul
sed curiosity from her to the closed door behind her. "Don't
eeks flushing. "Chloe's teach
limsy that excuse was. "Right. The form." He ga
against the linoleum, his knowing
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