“I want to see them today,” I pleaded.

“Just for a minute.”

Daniel shook his head gently.

“Not yet, Claire.”

“You need to get your strength back first.”

“If they see you like this, with the tubes and the monitors, it will scare them.”

I knew he was right, but it still hurt.

I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling the steady throb in my chest.

“Daniel,” I said, opening my eyes again.

“If I am going to stay here, I need my things.”

“My medicine, my clothes.”

“My inhaler is in my apartment.”

“I can send one of the drivers to get them,” Daniel said.

“No,” I said quickly.

“The building has a secure entry, and my landlord is very particular.”

“The driver won’t be able to get in without my key.”

“And my apartment is… it’s very small.”

“I don’t want strangers going through my personal things.”

Daniel watched me closely.

“I can go myself,” he said.

“I need to get out of the house anyway.”

“The phone calls from the office are endless, and I need a distraction.”