Chapter 29

Chloe's sleep was a shallow, frantic thing. Throughout the night, her mind spun through a cycle of vivid, stressful dreams—vague figures arguing over bills and the looming threat of her brother-in-law's temper. When she finally forced her eyes open, the morning light felt too bright, stinging against the residual fatigue. She wandered toward the balcony to clear her head, but stopped short at the glass door. A row of newly installed stainless steel rods caught the light, perfectly positioned...