Chapter 4

The phone screen went dark. I leaned against the headboard, lost in thought, until exhaustion finally pulled me into a shallow sleep.

But the side effects of the meds weren't done with me yet.

My dreams were flooded with the blinding white lights of the clinic.

Rough hands held my arms and legs tight.

A cold needle pierced my vein, and icy fluid was pushed into my body.

I jolted awake, gasping for air.

My pajamas were soaked with cold sweat, clinging to my back.

I crawled out of bed and leaned over the trash can by the bed, dry heaving.

My stomach was empty. So all I could spit out was a few mouthfuls of sour, bitter bile.

My throat felt parched and tight.

I pushed open the door and made my way to the second floor, hoping a glass of water would steady my nerves.

As I turned the corner on the second floor, the study door swung open.

Charles stepped out, frowning, his eyes locking onto me. "Up in the middle of the night again? What kind of crazy stunt are you pulling now?"

He sounded seriously annoyed.

I leaned against the wall, my face pale as a sheet. "It's the aftereffects from the clinic. I had another nightmare."

Charles let out a cold chuckle. "The center only gave you proper treatment. I checked the records. There was no abuse."

He stared at me. "Olivia, who are you trying to fool with this paranoid victim routine?"

I met his steady gaze and managed a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm paranoid."

I dropped my head, not bothering to argue anymore.

Seeing me back down, Charles managed to rein in his temper a bit. "Since you're awake, go apologize to Isabelle." His tone left no room for argument. "Your noise downstairs just now freaked her out."

He took two steps closer and raised his hand. His fingertips, cool to the touch, adjusted the collar of my pajamas.

"As long as you behave and stop making trouble." His voice softened, carrying a hint of condescension, like he was granting me a favor. "I'll be good to you."

I kept my gaze lowered, my eyes lingering on the buttons of his shirt, and stayed quiet.

At the end of the hallway, the door to the second bedroom was half open.

The bright white light cast across the dark carpet.

Isabelle stood in the glow, caught between light and shadow.

She was fiddling with a teddy bear so faded it was almost white.

That was the one Lucas couldn't sleep without. Right now, she was idly flipping the teddy bear between her fingers.

Her chin was raised a bit.

It was a painful sight for me.

I stood motionless in the shadows of the hallway.

I watched in silence as Charles walked over to Isabelle.

They stood side by side.

With stiff legs, I tried to slip past them and get out of there.

Isabelle stepped back, just half a step.

Her toe caught on the edge of the carpet.

Isabelle let out a startled cry and toppled backward.

Charles's expression shifted, and he barked at me, "Olivia, don't move!"

I was right next to her.

Without thinking, I reached out, trying to grab her before she hit the ground.

As my fingertips were about to brush her, a powerful force slammed into my shoulder.

It was Charles.

He shoved me out of the way.

He swept Isabelle, frightened and wide-eyed, into his arms, shielding her.

I lost my balance and fell backward.

A dull thud echoed through the hallway.

My lower back crashed hard against the corner of the wooden table.

The sharp edge dug right into my bones.

Pain crawled up my spine, making my arms and legs tingle and go numb.

I went weak from the pain and slid down the wall, ending up slumped on the floor.

Charles lowered his head, worriedly checking Isabelle in his arms to make sure she wasn't hurt.

I grabbed my lower back.

My eyes locked onto his profile through the shadows.

"Why..." I choked out.