I know my words hurt her. I know enough about her overbearing mother to know that.

The sharp intake of breath only confirms it.

Aurora is now running a catalogue of her actions through her head, comparing herself to her mother.

"Aurora, she's safe. She's tired because your argument took it out of her, so she's resting."

"Our argument? She told you?"

"Yes." I'm impatient.

"Then you know why we argued?"

"Yes."

"And you're on her side? ...