someone had placed a rock on top of my ribs and left it there for days. My head pounded too, a

my eyes op

s covered in sheer white curtains. The ceiling above me was high, painted ivory,

re

every muscle in

came rus

wedd

ni

u

po

bl

kn

struck deeper in my ribs. I tried to si

s al

when I

ws were on his knees, fingers steepled in front of his l

ill manage to make your heart race. His hair was neat, slightly messy, as though he had been running his hand through it

when he notic

rown with gold flec

ice low and carefu

t nothing came out.

ured some into a glass, then gently hel

shaky a

enough strength t

are

down and looked

amin

heart pause for

obal En

e... t

small no

ked. "What am

answer r

kwood," he said finally. "I stepped out to

alm, steady. Al

the pool. Barely breathing. I checked your pulse. It was f

tened. It felt like I was w

a coma for a m

h?" And my family didn't

low nod. "You're

't fee

lt b

.. do this to me?"

on the nearby desk and brought it

till without any emotion. "I knew it was something bad when I saw you,

There were printed images inside. Th

hoodie approach

kn

ach turn. My h

amin said. "It took a fe

and stood there, his back st

k at first. So I

onfused. "What

warehouse. Tied him to a chair. Told him l would break e

ent down

me who paid him. Who gave him your location.

there

ne, tapped the screen

video r

the picture. Cry

e was b

any means to kill her, even if it was inside the dressing room. She pr

enjamin. My t

ispered. "W

me with stead

eathe. I drop

ispered. "Sh

alread

th her. She hated me for sure. I knew that. But payi

aid. But the words did

l you," Benjamin

most su

cheeks. I didn't wipe

ything from me

e. "But she doesn't

e photos. My blood.

hing in m

from the wounds anymore. It was

my voice cold. "She doesn't

ou would," B

?" I asked him. "Why

alked to the door, opened it halfw

he said. "Just know that

he

my heart beating louder than ever. Sec

how to make Lucy and Daniel pay f

ught I

m stil

m comi