Warne

d me. The world blurred as I was dragged through the lab, past th

cility. The air was cold, damp, smelling of concrete and decay. Before I coul

ing with a dangerous light. He held a length of thick rope

to a heavy metal pipe running along the wall. The rough

went too far this time. You humiliated her. You destroyed h

or God's sake, Ayla, stop being so dramatic

er pistol. My heart sank. This was his idea

o the room behind him, a wide, malevolent smile

er voice saccharine sweet. "

esn't she, darling? Now, do you want to show he

. "Oh, I don't know how to use thi

d his arms around her waist, his hands covering hers on the toy gun. He p

d barrel of the toy gun po

m. The impact wasn't hard, but my chest, still tender from

ched, childish sound. "I h

such a natural." His eyes, over Ashley's shoulder, me

s, my face, my stomach. Each cold splash felt like a fr

ill-healing womb. A searing, white-hot pain ripped through me

between my legs. Blood. My

them to stop. But my mouth was taped shu

, laughing, celebrating each hit. Craig pressed a final, lingering kiss to

ness crept in at the edges of my vi

Craig, but he looked different. His face was contorted with panic. He

, no

lit, quiet. Craig sat in a chair beside me, his head in his hands.

up. His eyes, red-rimmed and bloodshot, met mine.

my hand, pressing it to his lips, his body trembling. "Ayla, my love, I'm so sorry.

ur baby... I can't believe... I killed our baby, Ayla. I did. It

chest. "You did," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "You kil

't know you were still... vulnerable. It was just a game! Ashley would n

nk losing our child because you shoved me, because you let th

ed, his voice desperate. "I promise! As m

en us. There was nothing left to say. No more tears to cry.

promise a future that no longer existed. I simply turn

bringing food I refused to eat, whispering apologies I no long

y! I've arranged a special surprise for your discharge today! A romantic dinner, just us. And to show you how much I truly

. I know I hurt you. But I promise, I will make it all up to you. I'll be better. I'll pay more attention.

not the diamond ring he usually gave me, but a cheap, ga

laugh escaped my lips. "Ashle

you talking about?" He stared at the ring, t

of telling me she's won. And she just couldn't resist. Just like she

it's just a mix-up!" He fumbled wi

iving you, then you will launch a full, independent investigation into Ashley. Into her plagiarism. Into her cyberbullying of Jayle

hed. He stood up slowly, the box still in his hand. His gaze drifted aw

ntic. Her eyes were wide with terror. "Craig! Craig, help me! I

iately wrapped himself around her, his earlier panic for

m. "Just take me away from here! Take me... t

ssessive anger. "Your professor? What are you talking about, Ashley? I'm taking you to my doc