Page 52 of The Marriage

“Yes, it’s me.”

“Okay, that’s okay, that’s very good.”

“What is your question?” Karine asked, doing her best to modulate her anger.

She wasn’t going to do it—no matter how much that voice told her to lash out. It wouldn’t be what Roman wanted, and while he was the last person who deserved anything from her, he wasn’t here. She didn’t think letting her frustration explode would do her well, considering that.

“Why did you run when you knew you wouldn’t be able to escape?” Sylvia continued.

It was a good question.

She had actually thought about it already.

There was no way she would have made it out of the facility without being tackled to the ground by security before she even hit the stone wall. And yet, the moment she was out of that door, she felt the urge to make like wind, and go.

For a second, that’s all it was. And she’d laughed, too.

Then, it was over.

Like everything else.

“Because I wasn’t running from anything or going anywhere,” Karine said, meekness returning in her tone. The tears blurred her vision as she continued, whispering, “I have nowhere to go.”

*

When Karine woke up the next morning—for the first time since her arrival at Twin Rivers—something had changed. She couldn’t quite figure out what it was. Her first instinct was to check the ring on her finger. It was there, of course.

She was still married to Roman.

It wasn’t all just a dream, even though it sometimes felt like it.

Before Sylvia knocked on her door, she had showered and dressed for the day already. There was even a rumble in her stomach.

She didn’t remember the last time she’d been hungry—ravenous. Not since she left the lodge in Vermont.

“What do you want to do today, Karine?” Sylvia asked. “Hopefully something less strenuous than yesterday.”

The therapist even smiled, though it was hesitant. She stood at the door to Karine’s room, blocking it with her slender body.

If Karine wanted to, she could have pushed past her and run out. Undoubtedly, there were guards standing close by. Waiting for any rash decision Karine might make because she wouldn’t risk another event where she might run.

“Maybe we could go on that walk we talked about yesterday.”

Sylvia didn’t appear as hopeful today. Who could trust Karine to make wise choices—who could trust her at all?

Karine knew all about that.

Who did she really trust anymore?

She thought she trusted Masha, but did she really?

She thought she trusted Roman, too.

“A walk sounds perfect,” Sylvia agreed, “but I want you to know that we’ll have some security with us.”

Karine shrugged. “I’m used to that.”

It took the other woman a second to absorb that admission.