Sabrina stifled a giggle. "Grace, you''re not mad, are you?" she challenged, a glint in her eyes.


    I mumbled, pressing my throbbing forehead. "I don''t care."


    An awkward silence descended.


    Sabrina looked down, then, using a nail clipper, began peeling off the sticker, muttering apologies.


    The scraping sound grated on my nerves. I put on headphones, but Antonio''s gaze, through the rearview mirror, was unwavering.


    He then said to Sabrina, "Grace''s getting worse. Hospital."


    My condition, exacerbated by their relentless torment, had progressed to pneumonia.


    Treatment escted from IVs to inpatient care, but Sabrina refused to stay.


    She anxiously checked her phone, seemingly bombarded with messages.


    Antonio asked, "Friend''s waiting?"


    Sabrina shook her head, feigning distress. "My friend wants to see us, but Grace is sick. I can''t leave her."


    Antonioforted her, whispering assurances, tears streaming down Sabrina''s cheeks as if she were the one suffering.


    My helplessness was crushing


    I didn''t know they''d left until the nurse came to change my IV. She called for Antonio until I awoke.


    Near midnight, the strong scent of alcohol alerted me.


    Sabrina and Antonio, practically intertwined, were kissing in my room.


    A nurse intervened, pulling them back.


    My doctor scoffed, "That man kissing your husband''s friend?"


    I nodded.


    He looked you''re.


    Calm? They waltzed in I


    W Pop vel not me in disbelief. “And


    swov


    a motel!" :


    "I can''t control them, and they mean nothing to me," I said, forcing a smile.


    He signed, recognizing my istion,


    "Here''s my number. Call me if you need anything."


    Antonio barely visited, sending messages promising immediate arrival if I felt


    unwell.


    But my replies never reached him because he had blocked my number and my Facebook ount.


    When I tried to pay my bills, my ount was empty, save for only ten dors.


    I borrowed money from the doctor.


    Meanwhile, Sabrina posted photos of her and Antonio''s luxurious ind vacation


    Sabrina was unting my bags and a swimsuit I had never worn.


    And a carload of flowers-all purchased with my money.


    Upon my discharge, Sabrina


    messaged, "When are you divor


    Stop holding us y


    I deleted the message and called the police. "Officer, someone stole m money


    and bank card. ne


    belongs to .no