h's

Sean asked quietly, his voice hitti

nd me, the metal file box sat open, papers sprea

of my throat, my hands twisted together. "I am....I.

or near my feet. It landed on my hands, clenched into tight fists. For one terrifying second, I was

took over. I

he box, nudging it into the wardrobe's shadows while I coughed loudly to cover the s

ting my eyes, making me wince. My breath caught in my chest as he stood tall, staring down at me, face

aid, sounding concerned. But his tone did

ep," I repeated, keeping

My heart pounded harder with each step. I braced myself, waiting for him to s

reached out his hand toward me. "Come

inct in my soul screamed at me to run, to scream, to push him away... but I c

y as he pulled me to my feet with a sudden strength that reminded me how much power

sat me down on the mattress. "I

. I couldn't t

es tracing my face, catching on my tight jaw and the tears I was fighting back.

is hand to my face. His thumb brushed lightly beneath my eye,

or pull away, he lea

is hands felt warm as they rested on my back, pulling my tired body closer to his. I felt frozen, an

the hem of my clothes, tu

rning my face away so h

ainst mine, his breath warm on my

el well," I said quickly. "My head hurts so much. I think... I

w a flicker of suspicion in his eyes, l

"About money. About how we will pay for medicine if I get worse. The ki

cold wind. He pulled back immediately. His face

y, standing up and walking a

my ears. I knew he had millions, if

ntinued, pacing the room. "Maybe after this trip...

ew dollars while he carried a black

g me want to throw up again. Tears burned my eyes, but I refu

ing again, into that fake, calm

at the wall. "I'm just tire

back to the bed and sat beside me. "You worry too much, Sarah. I

painfully in my mind. How

bed," he murmured. "Big day tomorrow." He lay back down, turned his back to

sleep. I

with a mix of fear and pure rage. Very carefully, I stood up wit

them. I wiped the box with my sleeve to remove any marks. I closed it, locked it, and slid it back into the dark corner where it belonged. I c

ack down. But even the

water in the bathroom. Sean was already in the shower. I

ke a man with a clear conscience as he stepped out of the bathroom, dress

retending to be half-asleep. He knelt

and placed it on the floor

oing? my min

fingers moving with deliberate care. The papers I had carefully put

tened and turne

rp enough to cut. I opened

box?" he asked, his

hold its breath with me. Did he notice some

d against the fabric of my nightshirt. Then, I felt it. The thin, sharp edge of a

night to get a clear view of it, and in the p

rs as Sean stared at me,

one? Or was he about to find out? I co