Chapter 2

I crept back to the bed, slid quietly under the covers, and lay still.

Kept my breathing even.

The footsteps came closer, closer, until they stopped right in front of me.

I didn't dare open my eyes, but I could feel his heavy breath against the hollow of my throat.

Those eyes, fixed on me, burning.

Finally, just as I couldn't hold it any longer, Morton pulled his gaze away. It landed on the tabby cat in the corner.

"It's the cat. Not her."

Charlene rolled her eyes and lifted a foot to kick the little thing.

It dodged, quick.

"Stupid cat. Just as annoying as your owner."

But Morton seemed to relax. He scooped the cat up and murmured to it, soft.

Every one of those words he'd once said to me.

Yet barely half a year, and he couldn't wait to bring another woman home.

I'd felt sorry for Charlene, so young. Imported fruit, snacks, she always got a share.

Just last week I'd even given her a bonus.

The whole thing had been their setup from the start.

"Morton, I don't want to live in that dingy old attic anymore. When are you going to get rid of her?"

Charlene tugged at the hem of his shirt, pulling him down half-willing until he dropped onto the bed beside me.

The two of them, not even half a meter away, with only me between them.

"Are you insane?" Morton dropped his voice, and even as he said it he glanced back at me. "If she wakes up, the whole plan is finished."

Charlene wasn't worried. "I doubled the dose today. There's no way she's waking up."

The man beside me let out a long breath.

"Relax. I've already got the psychiatric ward lined up. I'll send her over in the next few days."

"Then why not now?" Charlene pointed at me, her voice rising. "She just had a miscarriage anyway, she's unstable. Just tell them she lost the baby and lost her mind."

The mattress beside me sank slowly. I kept my eyes shut, but I could feel that dark shape lean over me.

He was weighing what Charlene had said.

Actually sending me to the psychiatric ward.

My heart slammed while my mind raced for a way out.

The phone was still recording.

Worst case, I take this evidence, expose him, and file for divorce. Burn it all down.

His palm, rough with thick calluses, settled behind my ear and pressed, just slightly.

I'd had surgery there once. Even a normal touch drove pain straight through me.

He was testing me.

Right when I couldn't keep from crying out, he suddenly let go.

"No. Her mind's still normal. Send her there and they'll have her back to us inside a day."

"Then our whole plan is ruined."

Morton stood, cold, his voice flat and without a ripple.

"You're pregnant. You can't keep living in the attic. I'll up the dose these next couple of days and drive Miriam Dickerson out."

Charlene threw her arms around him and kissed him, thrilled.

"Then tonight I'll send her to the chopping block."

She walked out of the room, Morton right behind her.

The lock clicked softly shut.

My fingers twitched. I squinted, ready to get up.

Then the edge of my vision caught the carpet, and my whole body went rigid.

His shadow was still in the room.