The Flower That Grew from Ashes novel Chapter 9

Her phone had a fingerprint lock; Clarissa couldn't open it.

But that brief, probing action laid her guilt and paranoia completely bare.

Next, Clarissa's heels clicked toward the wall. That was where the medical chart hung.

Annelise heard the crisp rustle of pages turning.

Clarissa was checking her chart. She was verifying that it reflected the exact script she and Hackett had orchestrated: an ectopic pregnancy surgery.

A few seconds later, the chart was snapped shut with quiet satisfaction and hung back in its place.

Having finished her inspection, Clarissa's phone began to vibrate. She walked over to the window, turning her back to the bed, and lowered her voice to answer the call.

But the room was dead silent, and Annelise was lying too close. Every single word drifted over perfectly.

"Yeah, I just got to the hospital."

The person on the other end had to be Hackett.

"She's still asleep. She looks peaceful enough."

Clarissa's tone instantly slipped back into that flawless, gentle cadence.

"Yeah, the surgery's done. I checked the chart; everything went smoothly."

"Manuel's fever broke? That's great. I'll head back soon. Don't push yourself too hard, you were up all night too."

Her voice was saturated with the kind of tender concern and intimacy one would expect from a devoted wife.

"Don't worry." Clarissa let out a soft laugh into the receiver. "She doesn't suspect a thing."

Before hanging up, she added one final thought. "You too. Don't mention Manuel to her just yet. Wait until she's recovered a bit and her emotions are stable, otherwise her imagination might run wild."

Annelise scoffed internally. What a considerate "sister-in-law." What a thoughtful "best friend."

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