The Orphan's Tale. Pam Jenoff

      She reaches out and takes my arm and I hold my breath, hoping for a reassuring word. Instead, she rips the tape off my wrist. I let out a yelp, my skin screaming at the burn. We stare at each other hard, neither blinking. I wait for her to tell me I will have to leave here, as well. Surely they will make us go.

      “Come back tomorrow,” she relents, “and we will try it again one last time.”

      “Thank you,” I say. “But Astrid...” My voice sounds pleading. “There must be something else I can do.”

      “Tomorrow,” she repeats before walking away. Watching her retreat, my stomach leadens. Though grateful for the second chance, I know it is hopeless. Tomorrow or a year from tomorrow, I will never be able to let go.