Drawn to Life Read Online Free

She giggled. “Seriously. You have to make sure work doesn’t get to be too much for you.”
    I nodded and bit my lower lip. “It won’t. Like I’ve said before, we’re all under the gun.”
    My remark—or was it an excuse?—didn’t seem to convince her. “I understand you have a lot on your plate right now. Same here. But you don’t look healthy. I’ve never seen such dark circles under your eyes. Even after a weekend of all-nighters. Are you sure everything is OK?”
    “Julia, please . . .” I looked at her, imploring her to let it drop. “Everything is fine. I swear.”
    She nodded and finally let it go. But I knew she’d bring it up again. Today, though, I’d had enough of her motherly attitude. This lunch break was supposed to distract me from work and pain, not force me to focus on it.
    After lunch with Julia, the afternoon dragged. Finally, I could hurry home and hide under my covers. Five minutes after I’d climbed into bed, Christoph arrived. A few days before, I had made him a copy of my keys in an attempt to make this seem like his home. When I’d presented the chain, he’d taken it without hesitation, and I’d even seen a faint smile on his face.
    He sat down beside me, leaned over, and hugged me. I was so glad to feel his arms around me.
    “I’ve missed you all day,” I whispered. “I haven’t been feeling well, and all I want is to relax next to you.”
    He smiled. “Well, that won’t be too hard to manage,” he said, kicking off his shoes and slipping under the covers.
    Another week went by, and I was still finding it difficult to get up in the mornings. But I didn’t stay home. I was worried Mr. Walter wouldn’t be lenient forever, and I didn’t want to risk getting fired.
    I just had to suck it up. The weekend was in sight, only two more days to go. I would not take work home with me this time. I would turn off my cell phone, disconnect the Internet, and hole up in my apartment. All I needed to feel better was a few days alone with Christoph.
    But that day, I had to work until seven. I slouched out of the office. My body felt sluggish, drained of every tiny bit of energy. On my way home, I could hardly keep my eyes open. Fortunately, I was only a few houses away. Inside, I practically crawled up the three flights of stairs. Every step felt like torture. The cramping in my side had grown more intense. I wished I could simply lie down right there, fall asleep on the cool floor, and never get up again.
    Somehow I reached my door. My hand shook as I searched my purse for the key, then tried to insert it into the lock. The stupid thing wouldn’t go, but fortunately, that didn’t matter. Christoph opened the door from inside.
    “Where have you been?” Reaching out, Christoph placed one hand behind my back, steered me into the apartment, then closed the door behind me.
    I leaned against him heavily and slurred a response that was supposed to be “at work” but sounded more like “awerk.” I was moving my lips, but the sounds didn’t make sense. It was like my brain had been cut off from my mouth.
    Slowly, Christoph turned me around to face him. His brown eyes looked scared.
    “Mimi? Are you OK?” He cupped my face. “You’re burning hot.”
    I’m OK, Chris . . .
    “Mimi? Mia . . . Mia! Come on, say something.” There was so much fear on his face. Why was he so afraid?
    I’m here, I’m OK.
    “Mimi, please look at me.” I could feel his arms holding me up. His heart beat wildly against my chest. His breath was fast.
    I was calm. Unlike his, my heart beat steadily. I felt safe in his embrace. I felt good. I felt as if I were floating.
    “Mimi, stay with me. Stay with me!”
    I was floating . . .

Chapter 3
    Mia—Fear
    Graz, June 2012
    “Mia, do you really have to go through with this?”
    “Yes, Mom.” Irritated, I tossed the clothes I’d been holding onto my bed.
    My hands clenched. I looked down and forced myself to take ten even breaths. My heart rate