They never really knew me. Otherwise, how could they have forgotten I could read lips?
Miriam, wearing someone else's body, turned back before she left.
She walked up to me, leaned down, and curled her lips into a smile.
"Then let me thank you in advance for your body, Lorna Harding."
The next day I was discharged. My three brothers, dazed and distracted, brought me home, deposited me in my room, and left without another word.
They hurried into Cole's study.
I put on my earpiece. Their voices came through, urgent and agitated.
"This attempt failed because we didn't push hard enough! If this keeps up, Miri's going to die!"
Malcolm kicked a chair over.
He noticed the water stains on the keyboard and frowned, but the thought passed as quickly as it came.
Cole drew a long breath.
"Tomorrow is Lorna's birthday. Get a few vagrants in here, have them waiting in her room. I refuse to believe this won't work."
My hands went limp. My phone hit the floor hard, and a high-pitched ringing filled my ears.
My legs gave out. I sank to the ground, laughing. The sound was hollow and desolate.
The next day. The birthday banquet.