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“I know myself I’m loyal”

“Was it Doctor…or was it Mr Carnegie?”

I inhale The air in e

“Was it Doctor…or was it Mr Carnegie?”

I try to tell her withBut Mrs Acton cannot read

Who has Declan? I want Declan!

“It was Doctor” Whispered words Wobbly words When they come from my throat, sickness follows, so I have to rush into the bathroom

“Finley, you’re so good I love you”

I wash s ertips

Perhaps I’ll stay the night here I’m so tired now Declan wouldn’t leave without me

As I step woodenly into the bedroom, I hear voices in the hallway I hear Father Russo Before I cansaid, the bedroom’s door opens, and Anna walks in She holds Kayti, but this ti Kayti blinks at me as Anna says, “They know”

How odd that, at first, I don’t knohat Anna reads my face and mind

“Father Russo arrived after Mayor He told Mayor and Mrs Acton you were having an affair”

My knees buckle I grab the bed’s post

I croak, “And?”