Aria
Bands of bitterness wrap around my chest and circle my throat like a wire.
The backs of my eyes grow hot with a festering resentment that mounts each time I think about my life.
"Are you still there, dear?" His fake kind voice reaches my ears, and I wipe at my eyes angrily.
I nod at him, but then realize that he can't really see me, so I speak instead. "Y-yes, I'm here."
Despite the softness of my tone, he hears me and continues talking.
"Clara and I thought of adopting a young child instead-"
Eagerness bubbles inside me, and I cut him off without thinking. "So why didn't you do that?"
He pauses and remains quiet for an extended period of time.
I half wonder if I've upset him, and he's going to come back here to hurt me.
The thought causes me to shiver involuntarily,
