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Chapter 11: The Vultures Circle

Author: G.M. Ashcroft
last update Huling Na-update: 2026-01-19 23:23:00

The chemotherapy starts on a Tuesday.

They warn me it will be difficult. "Aggressive treatment for aggressive cancer," the oncologist says with practiced sympathy. "You'll feel worse before you feel better."

He's not wrong.

The poison goes into my veins—cold first, then burning—and within hours I'm vomiting so violently I think my body might turn inside out. My hair starts falling out in clumps by day three. My skin turns gray. My mouth fills with sores that make eating agony.

I spend most of the first week unconscious or wishing I was.

Damien visits once.

Day four. Tuesday afternoon. He stands in the doorway of my hospital room like he's not sure he's allowed to enter. He's in a suit—came from work, probably squeezed me in between meetings.

"Claire." He takes three steps into the room. Stops. Looks uncomfortable. "How are you feeling?"

I'm bald, gray, covered in my own vomit, hooked up to six different machines. How does he think I'm feeling?

"I've been better," I manage.

"Right. Of
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