Just as I feared, when I turned around, I saw Susan stumbling toward us, her face pale and streaked with tears.

She shot me a hateful glare before turning to Richard, immediately adopting a look of fragile helplessness.

"Richard, you told me you had something vital to take care of and you left me alone in the hospital. Is this what you intended importance to mean?" With her hand shaking, she gestured toward me. "You and Sophia are having dinner here? Are you two not ...