Evelyn
I turn my head to the sound of the opening bedroom door, looking forward to seeing my mom. Instead, Alexander walks in.
I’m surprised by how much relief he brings, too.
He’s gentle and quiet as he shuts the door and takes the chair Emma was sitting in by the bed. Everyone’s been so gentle and quiet. It makes me want to hurl something across the room to marvel in the way it shatters.
Loud and messy. Like life.
“This is my fault,” Alexander says as Dr. Zorinski packs up her medical bag at the foot of our bed.
“What?” I say in genuine surprise. I’m the one who can’t make up my damn mind. I’m the reason I have the Sodalis Sickness.
“I shouldn’t have sparred with you this morning,” he says.
I can’t help but laugh. “If you hadn’t, I would have found some other way to get my anger
