Chapter 2

In the end, driven by a primal instinct to survive, I struggled to find some fever reducers in the medicine cabinet.

I haphazardly swallowed a few pills, then drifted into a deep, feverish sleep.

A whole day and night passed.

When I woke up again, the fever had finally broken, but I was utterly drained of all strength.

Julian returned at that very moment.

He didn't mention abandoning me at the funeral home entrance two days prior, acting as if it had never happened.

He walked straight into the walk-in closet and began packing a bag.

"Valerie's in a bad…