Page 67 (1/2)

Jude started to feel pain and pushed it away, letting nu She leaned down and kissed Mia’s cheek, noticing how cold it, too, was, and whispering, “I love you, Poppet ” Then she drew back and watched Miles do the sa She didn’t knohat he said; all she could hear was her own blood, rushing into and out of her heart At first she was dizzy, but as she walked down the busy hallway and stepped into the elevator and rode down to the sixth floor, she lost even that slim sensation

“Mrs Farraday?”

“Jude?”

Fro, she heard Miles say her name The impatient tone told her that he’d said it more than once

“This is Dr Lyman,” Miles said

They were in another hallway, outside Zach’s roo here

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Dr Lyman said

She nodded and said nothing

Dr Lyman led them into her son’s room Zach sat slumped in bed, his arms crossed

“Who’s there?” he said

“It’s us, Zach,” Jude said, trying to sound strong for her son

Dr Lyman cleared his throat and ?”

Zach shrugged, as if it didn’t matter “My face hurts like hell ”

“It’s a burn,” Dr Lyman said

“I’m burned?” Zach said quietly “On my face? How?”