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I clenched my teeth, tears of frustration getting the better of me. “You don’t believe me?”

Dr. Emery sighed. “I believe that what you believe seems real.”

Bitterness curled through me. He didn’t believe me. My only hope of getting help, and he didn’t believe a word I said. Unless…

“Did Jacob pay you to lie to me?”

His eyes widened, but I didn’t know if it was at my outrageous accusation or if he realized he’d been caught out. He quickly schooled his features, giving me another smile, only this one didn’t reach his eyes.

Abruptly, he stood. “It’s very important that you get some rest, Mrs. Du Pont. I’ll ensure your husband doesn’t disturb you.“ Heading to the door, he paused, turning back to me. “Charlotte. I don’t know what happened at your home; I can only go by what I’ve been told. But I assure you, I want to help. You’re safe here; I give you my word, just like I gave my word to save lives.”

His kind eyes held my gaze for several beats, but I didn’t relax.

I didn’t feel safe. Not with the monster lurking outside my door.

Dr. Emery closed the door behind him, and I held my breath for several seconds, expecting Jacob to stroll in, demanding that I speak to him. When minutes passed and Jacob hadn’t appeared, I allowed myself to give in to the darkness that had started creeping in around my vision.

At the sound of a gunshot ringing in my head, I bolted upright. My head throbbed from the sudden movement, and it took several deep, calming breaths for the nausea to settle in my stomach.

When it did, I glanced around. The lights had been dimmed, the moon shone brightly outside the window, and the hallway outside my room was silent.

And I was alone.

Once again, images began circling my brain of Jacob prowling toward me, telling me that I would never be free of him. The picture of Amy smiling in the private investigator’s report swam in my vision, and I knew if I didn’t get away, I would wind up like her.

My heart raced to a beat of get out, get out, get out, and despite not knowing where I would go or how I would get there, I yanked the needle free of my hand, wincing at the spurt of blood that erupted from the puncture wound.

Throwing the covers back, I swung my legs over the side of the bed. The plaster cast was heavier than I expected, but I was determined not to let it hold me back.

But my plan failed when I pulled myself to stand. The pain overwhelmed me when I stupidly put weight on my bad leg, and I collapsed in a heap. A piercing cry escaped, one of agony and frustration, but when the door to my room opened, my body froze.

The scent of Jacob hit me like an avalanche, the air instantly thickening. He rushed around the side of my bed, his eyes widening at finding me on the floor. “Angel! What are you doing?” He fell to his knees by my side, and before I could protest, he hoisted me into his arms, gently laying me down on the bed. “Are you hurt?”

Holding back my tears, I shifted in the bed, leaning away from Jacob. My eyes darted around the room, landing on the window that looked out into the hallway, hoping a doctor or nurse would walk by and come to my aid.

Of course, I had no luck.

“Angel, please. I’m so fucking worried about you. Please talk to me,” Jacob said softly, reaching to take my good hand.

“Why, so you can lie to me again?” I muttered helplessly, moving my hand out of his way.

“What is it you think I’ve lied about, Charlotte?” Jacob replied, a plea lacing his words.

I stared ahead, silently praying for someone to walk into the room as a single tear slid down my cheek. “Everything,” I whispered.

Tension swelled between us, and when Jacob shifted closer, I pulled my gaze away from staring ahead, needing to watch his movements in case he lunged for me. Not that I could do anything about it; it was clear I wouldn’t be able to walk.

He’d taken the seat next to the bed, and now that he was that bit closer, it was easier to see the heavy bags that lay under his eyes. Stubble graced his cheeks as if he hadn’t shaved in a few days, and worry lines creased his forehead. A pang of sorrow hit me; I’d never seen him looking so disheveled; he was usually a vision of perfection.

Jacob released a heavy sigh. “Angel, please, talk to me. I’ve been going out of my head with worry these past two days.”

My lip wobbled, and I squeezed my eyes closed for a second. “I want you to go.”

“No,” he replied sternly. “I’m not leaving you again. You need to talk to me. Tell me-”

Frustration and anger boiled over, and my eyes shot open. “You know what I’m talking about! You killed Amy!”

He shook his head. “I thought we put that nonsense to bed.”