I, ignoring the pain, grabbed the back of a
chair to pull myself up. I limped over, trying to
control my fear, and grabbed Harold’s arm.
“Harold, it was an accident. I tripped and fell
on it. Connor was just trying to help me pull it
out.”
Harold stared at me for a long time, like he
was trying to see right through me. Then, he
shoved Connor away.
“Say thank you to your mother, boy.”
く
“Th–thank you… Mother.”
“Now get out of here!‘
I saw the hidden hatred, the defiance, in
Connor’s eyes as he ran off.
Harold scooped me up in his arms, all gentle.
“This isn’t too bad. We don’t need the ER; I’ll
have Doc Miller take a look.”
Harold’s tenderness just made me feel cold,
like I was sinking into ice water.
It’s been seven years since I’ve really had any
contact with the outside world. Harold’s
keeping me prisoner, not just in this marriage.
My sister married Harold when I’d just
<
graduated college. I brought my boyfriend,
Luke, to the wedding.
I watched her, so happy in her wedding dress,
marrying the man of her dreams.
That was the first time I met Harold. I was all
shy and called him “Mr. Harrison.”
Harold was all charming, greeting the guests.
I joked with my sister about how she’d
snagged such a great guy.
“My little Riley is so kind.”
Harold gently carried me into the bedroom
and laid me down, his whole body pressed
against mine.
I gasped out in pain, watching Harold struggle
to keep his desire hidden.
“Riley, seven years. My patience is running
out.”
Yeah, it’s been seven years since my sister
died.
I was so clueless back then, right out of
college, I didn’t see the darkness and lies.
hiding behind Harold’s smooth talk.
I definitely didn’t see the simmering jealousy
when Luke kissed me on the forehead.
“Riley, your leg will heal.”
Harold pinched my cheek, all possessive, and
1611
As soon as he was gone, the tension drained
out of me. I gasped for air, soaked in cold
sweat.
