"Write that down too."
Maya almost told Lena not to risk herself, but the words did not come out.
Her mouth felt dry.
She looked out the window and saw the wing lights blinking in the dark.
Lena pricked Maya's finger with practiced speed.
The small meter took the strip.
Seconds passed.
The number appeared.
Lena's expression changed.
"What is it?" Maya asked.
"Low enough that this should not be ignored."
Clare stood in the aisle.
"She has been talking nonstop for 20 minutes. She's fine."
Lena turned the meter so her camera could see it without announcing the number to the whole cabin.
"She is not fine. She needs carbohydrates, protein, and safe food. Not peanuts. Not seafood. Not a voucher."
Ethan looked toward Maya.
"Miss Williams, do you want us to request medical removal before takeoff?"
Maya knew what he was doing.
If she said yes, she would be removed from the plane and framed as the cause of the delay.
If she said no, they would claim she refused assistance.
"I want the medical accommodation your airline confirmed," she said.
"That meal is no longer available."
"Because you gave it away."
Ethan looked at his report.
"The meal was reassigned due to service limitations."
Lena's head snapped up.
"That is false. It was sitting on a tray with her name on it."
Victoria finally turned from the window.
"Must you keep repeating yourself? Everyone heard you."
Lena looked at her.
"Good."
Victoria's lips tightened.
"You have no idea who you are embarrassing."
Samuel spoke before Lena could.
"I think that's becoming clearer by the minute."
The plane paused near the runway.
The engines grew louder.
Maya's phone buzzed in her hand.
She glanced down.
Naomi again.
Everything okay? You missed the prep call. Board team asking if you'll review final clauses tonight.
Maya locked the screen quickly, but not before Ethan's eyes dropped toward it.
He did not see enough.
Only a name, maybe a notification.
But it made him suspicious.
"Business emergency?" he asked.
Maya did not answer.
Victoria leaned closer.
"Maybe she's worried her supervisor will see this."
Maya looked at her.
"My supervisor?"
Victoria smiled thinly.
"Everyone answers to someone, dear."
Maya held her gaze.
"Yes. Some people answer to truth. Others only answer when the cameras turn on."
The aircraft began its takeoff roll before Victoria could reply.
For those seconds, no one spoke.
The engines roared.
The cabin pressed back.
And Atlanta fell away beneath them.
Maya closed her eyes through the climb, not from fear of flying, but because the pressure in her head was getting worse.
Her body wanted food.
Her mind wanted clarity.