My head cracked against the corner of a nearby table. Pain bloomed first, then came the warm trickle of blood sliding down my forehead.
I looked up to find Maureen nestled smugly in Denys's arms, her eyes locked on mine with undisguised triumph. In that instant, I knew—she was faking it. Every single bit of it.
I couldn't afford to care about the throbbing in my skull. I dropped to my knees and grabbed the hem of Denys's trousers, my fingers white-knuckled around the fabric.
"Denys, she's pretending. That medication—my daughter needs it. You have to let me give it to her."
He paused at my words, turning his head just slightly toward me. But Maureen was faster. By the time his gaze reached her, her face had already twisted into a mask of agony.
"Denys, I'm not lying to you. You know I would never—"
She didn't finish. Blood spilled from her lips, cutting off her words mid-sentence. Denys kicked me aside without a second glance and swept her into his arms, taking the stairs two at a time.
Over his shoulder, he threw back a single command: "She doesn't leave this house until Maureen is confirmed stable."
The words had barely landed before hands seized my arms, dragging me backward.
"Denys! You can't do this—I have to get back to Denise—"
I thrashed against them, screaming his name until my throat burned raw. It made no difference. They threw me into the room next to Maureen's and slammed the door shut.
"Denys, let me out! Denise needs me!" I hurled myself against the door, pounding until my palms stung. "I'll come whenever you call—I won't interfere with anything involving Maureen. Just let me go!"
The wood didn't budge. No one answered.
With trembling hands, I fumbled for my phone—only to find the screen black. Dead battery. Of course. When it rained, it poured.
Begging Denys was pointless. I had to find my own way out.
I scanned the room. The window caught my eye immediately. If Denys wouldn't release me, I'd release myself.
Footsteps thundered past in the hallway—the family doctor arriving, most likely. Everyone's attention would be on Maureen.
I crossed to the window and peered down. Second floor. Not ideal, but not impossible. I tested the frame. It slid open easily. No security bars.
I didn't let myself think. I dragged a chair over, climbed onto the sill, and jumped.
The moment I hit the ground, white-hot pain shot through my left ankle. I heard something crack—a sound that would haunt me later. But there was no time for pain. I scrambled to my feet and tried to run.
I collapsed immediately.
My ankle screamed with every micro-movement, the agony sharp enough to steal my breath. I tried again. And again. Each attempt ended the same way—face-first in the dirt.
But I was out of time. The jump had been loud. People had noticed.
"Did she just—Alberta jumped from the second floor! Has she completely lost her mind?"
The voices drifted down from above. If they'd heard, so had Denys.
I looked up.
There he was, framed in Maureen's window, staring down at me. His brow furrowed, jaw tight. Then he ripped the curtain aside with barely contained fury and vanished from view.
He was coming.
I forced myself upright, biting back a scream as I hobbled toward the front gate. Every step was glass and fire, but I kept moving. I had to.
A taxi appeared at the end of the street—a small miracle. I threw my hand up, waving frantically. The car slowed, pulled over.
I was wrenching the door open when Denys's shadow fell across the entrance behind me.
"Central City Hospital," I gasped at the driver. "Please—hurry."
