stammered, taking a step again. "I don'

u were about to tug a few silly stunts, weren't

sharp sting of his hand across my face. The strain of it knocked me

rough the empty house. "Do you know how this makes me appear? I picked yo

d, my voice trembling. "I'

ing me in the direction of him. "You're nobody

ified like iron. "You're hurting me,"

g I've worked for?" he messed up, his eyes wild.

med over me, his face twisted in rage. "You ungrateful little-" His hand swung ou

move slowly away, but he grabbed my hair,

u need?" he hissed, throwing me onto the couch

to defend myself as he raised his ha

atred. He grabbed a chair, raising it above his head, and for a second, I had the idea he was going to smash it down

d prescient blurred, the room spinning around me. I barely hear him shouting; however, t

rything w

_____

n, and a stupid throbbing pain settled behind my head. I looked around, looking to get a feel of my environment. It was a st

emeanor was calm and composed, his eyes sharp as they took me in. "You're awake,"

aspy from disuse. I swallowed hard, see

y. "You've been through pretty much an ordeal," he said softly. "Anthony t

want to go home. Take me home." I swung my legs over the face of the bed,

der. "Mia, you need to rest. You're not strong enough to go anywhere now. A

a pointy edge of panic in

. He'll be back soon," he said. "You need to relax. You're safe here. I

breaking. "Tell me the truth. What's

" he stated, avoiding my questions. "Everything will be clear once you're feeling better.

shaky breath. My mind was racing, trying to make sense of what was happenin

edical detachment, his eyes in no way meeting mine. After he left, a younger woman introduced me to meals, her eyes downcast

ing on around me. I slipped out of bed, my legs nonetheless shaky but protecting my weight this time. I crep

ronment. It felt like a maze, with corridors twisting and turning without a clear path

door, which turned slightly ajar, and peered interna

dy, her face twisted in pleasure. My heart sank as I diagnosed her-Isabella Wilson, one of his subordinate