Chapter 7

It wasn't until I got into the car that I realized Elaine was already there.

She turned around, her face all innocent, and said, "Ms. Byrd, you seem to have lost quite a bit of weight recently."

Dean, overhearing, glanced at me through the rearview mirror and muttered, "Serves you right."

I felt a surge of annoyance and chose not to respond.

When we arrived at the clerk’s office, I stepped out of the car and was hit by another wave of dizziness—probably a flare-up of my condition.

I saw Elaine linking arms with Dean as they entered the building together, their figures merging into one, making it hard for me to focus on the path ahead.

Moments later, I was being helped out of the restroom, pale and weak.

I simply didn't have the energy today; if I took a few more steps, I feared I would collapse right there.

The line was long, so I sent a text to Dean, asking if we could postpone this whole ordeal.

After what felt like an eternity, I spotted him and Elaine wal