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All of the devastation I’d felt for my parents practically vanished, and something cold and hollow settled in the pit of my stomach. Disgust moved through me. Disgust and terror.
Because I could see it.
Nobody else watching would get it, but I did. I knew that look, and there was no question in my mind that he was nothing short of displeased.
“This is unexpected, but I won’t stop. Ellery knows I’ll never stop looking for her. And she knows that, one way or another, I’ll find her, and I’ll bring her home.”
That was it.
That was all they showed before they cut back to the scene at the mall. The reporter started speaking again about what was happening, what the police were doing, and what citizens could do to help locate me.
I didn’t pay much attention to it, because my mind was still focused on Patrick’s words. That interview was a promise from him to me. He didn’t make mention of someone kidnapping me and his determination to seek justice on my behalf.
He knew.
He knew that I had left.
And if there was one thing that I knew more than anything else, it was that Patrick was not a man who liked to lose. If I thought his father was a ruthless man, Preston was an angel compared to his son.
So, there was no denying the truth.
Patrick was convinced I’d left him, and he wasn’t going to stop at anything until he found me and made me pay.
“Turn it off,” I demanded.
Hanna didn’t hesitate. She quickly lifted the remote in her hands and turned off the television.
When she returned her attention to my face, I begged, “Please don’t tell anyone I’m here.”
“Are you okay?” she asked.
Pressing my lips together in an effort not to break down sobbing, I shook my head.
“How can I help you?” she pressed.
Just like that. Without asking for any details, she just wanted to help me. God, I was so grateful I’d picked this place.
“I just need you to pretend like you didn’t see what you just saw on the television,” I told her. “I’m working it out. I’m trying to do everything I can to keep myself safe. My husband is not a good man, so I had to get out. I completely understand if you want me to leave. I will. I promise, I will if that’s what you want. But I’m begging you not to tell anyone that you saw me or know where I am.”
“Ellery, I’m not kicking you out,” she assured me. “I want you to stay here for as long as you need to, and if there’s anything I can do to help keep you safe from this man, I’ll do it.”
I shook my head. “I don’t need anything other than your promise to keep quiet.”
Hanna nodded her understanding. “You’ve got it. And I’m here if that changes.”
“Thank you,” I rasped.
No sooner did I get those words out when I burst into tears. Hanna wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly. I barely knew the woman, but there was no question in my mind that she was the best ally I could have in this situation at this very moment.
I held on to her for a long time, needing the comfort she was providing. But I realized I couldn’t stay like that all day, so I finally loosened my hold on her and allowed her to take a step back.
“Are you okay?” she asked for the second time.
I shook my head once more, but this time, I added, “My family.”
“I assume you’re on good terms with them,” she returned.
Nodding, I confirmed, “Yes.”
