The wounds on her back healed slowly.
Lydia changed the bandages every morning. The salve was cold and thick and smelled of herbs Aria couldn't name. After three days, the bleeding stopped. After five days she could lie on her back without biting through her lip. After seven days Marta told her she was expected back at work.
"You're not ready," Lydia said.
"She doesn't have a choice," Marta replied.
Aria swung her legs off the table. The room tilted. She gripped the edge until it steadied.
"I'm fine," she said.
Neither woman believed her.
The cough started on the tenth day.
Aria was scrubbing the kitchen floors when a dry, hacking sound that scraped her throat raw seized her . She pressed her sleeve to her mouth and waited for it to pass. It didn't. It crouched in her chest and wai
