“Yes. The doctors say you can get out of that chair now and use crutches with your boot. Your shoulder is healed.”
“It is?” How long had she been there? She needed to be alone. To think. To try and remember. “I need to call my mother.”
“It’s okay. I’ve been talking to her every week so she wouldn’t worry.”
Every week?She tried to shake the confusion from her head, but it wouldn’t clear. “I really need to take a shower.”
“Of course. Do you need me to help you?”
The thought sent terror coursing through her. “No,” she said quickly. “I can manage.” She tried to force a smile, but couldn’t quite manage as it wobbled on her lips.
“I understand. I’ll give you your space. I know I have a lot to make up for. Go take a shower. The closet is full of all your favorite brands. I took a lot of time picking out things I thought you’d like. I’m staying in the guest room on this side of the house.” He gestured behind him. “I won’t come to you until you want me to. I know you have a lot of concerns, but you’ll see I’m telling you the truth. I’m going to win your love all over again.”
She didn’t know why, but his words sent a deep chill running through her. “I appreciate that Paul; I really do.”
He held out his hands. She was confused for a moment until he gestured toward the puppy. “Oh.” The little sweetie had curled up into a small ball in her lap. Reluctantly, she handed her to him, then wheeled herself back into the house and toward the master bedroom, hoping to find her things.
She passed a small room next to hers. She stopped and pushed open the door. It was a nursery, decorated in yellow with a beautiful white crib, matching dresser, and rocking chair in front of a bay window filled with pillows. A large stuffed giraffe was in the corner and a mobile of African animals hung over the crib. It was an exact duplicate of the nursery at their house in DC.
Instantly, Gillian thought of Bailey.And Nick.She wheeled herself toward the crib, reached out, and touched the mobile, tears filling her eyes.You deserve to be happy. Nick’s voice filled her mind. The thought of his green eyes full of love as he looked at her warmed her insides. What if she never saw him again? Had he believed she’d left him to go back to Paul? How long had she been gone? She tried to remember what had happened. How she had gotten there. The knowledge was right there hidden in the back of her mind, but she couldn’t access it. She couldn’t remember.
She left the nursery and continued to her room. She had to find her phone. She wanted to call him. To call her mother. She found her purse in a large walk-in closet filled with clothes, purses, and shoes. Paul wasn’t kidding. He must have bought out an entire store.
She opened her purse and searched for her phone. It wasn’t there. Neither was her computer.
She wheeled herself into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. She had a new haircut. There were no bruises on her face. The image of Paul hitting her flooded her mind.Had she imagined that?Confusion made her dizzy. She took off her boot and realized the swelling and bruising around her ankle were also gone.
Panic stole her breath as she easily flexed her foot up and down. No pain. No tenderness at all.
How long had she been there?
She’s obviously been drugged and had no idea where she was and no way to call for help. She rolled over to the windows and looked down. There was a windy trail to the beach below. Certainly not something she could navigate. No one could be seen for miles. She was alone with no way out. She was trapped.