Think, Mia.
“I’m confused—I don’t know where I am or what I’m doing here.”
“I rescued you, silly girl. I told you I’d come back for you, didn’t I?” He nods, like he’s coaching me to remember.
“Carter, it’s been ten…eleven years.”
“And you’ve waited so patiently for me.”
I shake my head. No. That’s not what’s happened at all. This is a nightmare. It must be.
I lift myself so I’m sitting, but my head swirls, and the rumpled blanket makes it feel like I’m swimming.
“Steady, sweet girl. The sedative is probably still in your system. Come and lie down with me like we used to.”
He reaches his hand out, and I flinch. He purses his lips, his eyes spiking with annoyance before he breathes in and out deeply, a calm exterior renewed again.
“That’s okay. We’ll get to know each other again soon. We have all the time in the world now that I’ve saved you from that man.”
Alfie.
Oh God, I was meant to meet him this morning…at least I think it was this morning. Surely he wouldn’t think I’d just not shown up? Lottie would have let him know I didn’t come to her house last night. But maybe not; she knows I’m not talking to him right now, and besides, what would they assume? That I’d chickened out on telling them both no and left. Nobody will be looking for me.
What do I do in this situation? Carter is clearly unwell. He can’t surely think I’ve been waiting for him all this time? I need to be smart. Stay alert and find a way out as soon as possible. Despite the urge to wedgie him like I did with Vincent, I know that’s not going to work here. I need to keep calm and figure out where my exits are. Be smart, not fast. What would Alfie tell me to do? He would tell me to put on my doctor head and manipulate the fuck out of this asshole. He’d tell me I need to look like he has a chance. That I need to carefully feed into the delusion.
I’m a fucking doctor, I can do this. He’ll expect me to be hesitant at first, so I will be. I’ll ease into the role. I’ll let him think he’s winning me over.
Where has he been all this time?
How did he find me?
“What time is it?” I ask, rubbing my eyes.
“Breakfast time. I made your favorite.”
I frown, thinking back to all those years ago. He’s still acting like I’m seventeen, so maybe I should lean into that.
“Blueberry pancakes?”
My guess is rewarded with a toothy smile. “See, I know you, sweet girl. I know you almost gave up on me. That’s why I had to leave those notes for you. As a reminder.” He nods.
The notes?
Oh shit.
The notes.
It wasn’t Nate.
My heart plummets as I fight the urge to cry. The realization that everything we’d suspected was false. But how?
“How did you sneak them into my desk?”
His grin turns wicked. “I’m a patient.”
“Not of Al—" I cough. “Dr. Adams?”
He doesn’t seem to notice my slip-up though, as he barrels through with his explanation, which no doubt he thinks is the most clever thing I’ll have ever heard of. How was I ever attracted to this man? Was he always such a know-it-all? Desperately trying to be the cleverest person in the room.
