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Her face got tight, and her eyes began to redden When she spoke again, her voice had an edge of hysteria "But I can’t get it off"

"I’ll help you get it off," I proh her nose I saw her fighting for control, andon pure adrenaline up until this moment But now it felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room and replaced by sadness

Bella droped her head Then she let out a sob so raw ut clenched at the sound And I wanted to maim whoever caused her toHer back rose and fell with sobs

I lunged for the blanket at the foot of her bed, which I wrapped around her body Only then did I reach for her Grabbing her shoulders, I leaned her against ht me, but her shoulders continued to shake I wrappedher close tostop "Shh, cariña You’re going to be okay" Dios, what less words But I didn’t know any better ones

She didn’t acknowledge me She turned her face away fro her

That would not do

I swept her wet hair off her face and wiped the tears aith my thumb "Shhh"

Bella had always struckso buoyant in the way she held herself Even noatched her slon her breathing, forcing herself to get cal back unshed tears "Sorry," she whispered

I gave her shoulder a squeeze "Do you have any rubbing alcohol?"

She shook her head

"Okay What about nail-polish reave ain "Not my style"

I tucked the blanket around her and then slid out froet us soet that ink off"

Bella looked up at aze "You don’t have to"

"Back in a jif"

It tookhall Soon enough I was trotting back up the entryway stairs, passing my own door to climb to Bella’s