Free Hearts of Glass (The Glass Trilogy Book 3) by Arianne Richmonde Page A

while I took in Elodie’s wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee words. What a mess.
    “Look, Janie, I’ve got to go. Talk to you later.”
    As I was brushing my teeth, Dad suddenly called, wondering how Daniel was doing. I had to bite my tongue and not let on about the nightmare I was going through. Having him worry about me wouldn’t help the situation.
    “That accident changed Will,” Dad revealed. “But in a good way. It’s almost as if he’s more focused now. He’s applied to do an internship in New York with a stockbroker, or maybe it’s a hedge fund manager—something to do with money, anyway.”
    “Is that a good idea?” I said, knowing that Will had a propensity to become obsessive when he dealt with numbers. I tapped my foot with agitation—right now wasn’t the moment to discuss Will’s future—I couldn’t give it the time or attention it deserved—all I could think about was Daniel.
    “You know what?” Dad went on. “I think it is. It could be a real career for him.”
    I had to hold back my tears. I wanted to burst out crying and tell my father everything. “Dad, I miss you so much.”
    “Me too, honey.”
    “I love you.”
    “I love you too, baby, is everything okay? You’re still staying at Daniel’s apartment?”
    “Yes,” I choked, swallowing my lie. “It’s all fine . . . I mean, I’m crossing my fingers about Daniel, but I’m okay. Don’t worry about me, Dad, I’ll be fine. I’d better go. Give Will a big hug from me.”

13
    Daniel.
    “H OW’S THE PATIENT doing?”
    The voice is gruff and low. A man. He’s new, I haven’t heard that voice before.
    “I think he’s on the mend, Dr. Nadil.” Oh fuck, it’s her . . . she’s back.
    I can feel his large hands on my pulse. Steady hands of a man I can trust. Relief at last. But he mumbles something I can’t hear about lowering the dosage . . . his footsteps getting quieter, and then a closing door. Fuck, he’s gone. The room is silent for a beat, and then . . .
    “Honestly, Bettina, there’s no need for Daniel to be transferred to LA. He’s in good hands here. Who better to look after him than family?”
    You fucking psycho !
    “Oh, Kristin, thank God you’ve been here for him.” My mother’s clueless voice. Thanks for gracing me with your presence, Mom.
    “I know. Poor Daniel. He was in bad shape but I did everything I could, and it looks as if he has a fighting chance now.” Butter wouldn’t melt in your fucking mouth, would it, you charlatan . . . how can my mother be such a dimwit ?
    “I owe you his life, Kristin, honey. How can I repay you?”
    Get out the checkbook, Mom, that’s what you usually do, isn’t it? Anything to avoid intimacy. Money buying you out of every situation that makes you uneasy.
    “You’re his mom and you trust me. That is payment enough. Being a neurologist is tough. Sometimes—like in Natasha’s tragic case—there’s nothing you can do. It’s heartbreaking. But you know I’ll do anything for Daniel. I love him like a brother. He and Natasha were so in love, so happy together.”
    I try to open my mouth to speak. “ Stop with the fucking fantasies !” But no sound leaves my lips. There are two cloying perfumes circling me now, as if battling for which can be the sickliest, the most repugnant to my olfactory sense.
    “Kristin? Kristin? I just saw Daniel twitch, like a grimace—he moved his mouth!”
    “Yes, that’s normal with coma patients, Bettina, dear. It doesn’t mean they’re awake, unfortunately.”
    “I’d love to stay, my dear, until Daniel wakes up properly, but I’m meant to be at an important fundraiser in Hawaii tomorrow. I simply cannot miss it. Everybody who is anybody will be there. My jet is scheduled to fly out this afternoon. Kristin, would it be considered very unfeeling if I didn’t stay much longer? I mean, he doesn’t even know I’m here, so—”
    “Of course not, Bettina, I’m with him. Oh, by the way, I have a special gift