Chapter 5

The moment they forced me down onto the cold operating table, a single tear slipped from my eye.

When I woke up, I was entirely alone in a sterile, freezing hospital room.

I pushed my aching body up and stared at the screen of my phone, my thumb hovering over a number I had been too ashamed to call.

Finally, I pressed dial.

The line connected, and a familiar, warm voice came through.

"Tessa?"

Hearing my Mom's voice, the dam broke. A sob tore from my throat.

"Mom."

"Tessa? Honey, why are you crying? Did that bastard Grant do something…