The next morning, I woke up with a clear head. I sat up without asking Clara for help. My hand didn't shake when I picked up the water glass from the nightstand.
But the pain in my chest was deeper. Like a solid block of concrete pressing down on my ribs. Clara checked my vitals and told me it was a final rally. I didn't have long.
Victor left the hospital at noon for a meeting at the casino. 10 minutes later, the door handle clicked.
Sofia walked in. She wore a beige trench coat. She'd bribed the security guard on the floor during the shift change.
Clara shot up from the visitor's chair. "Get out."
Sofia ignored her. She walked straight to my bed and dropped to her knees on the linoleum. She reached into her pocket, pulled out a folded piece of paper, and smoothed it flat on the matt
