“We want you to be safe,” I said.

The lie tasted like copper in my mouth.

Jared patted my shoulder, his touch heavy and possessive.

“The security team will be setting up in the foyer shortly,” he said.

“They’ll need access to the perimeter gates and the guest wing.”

“I’ll let the housekeeper know,” I replied.

I turned away before either of them could see the anger burning in my eyes.

I walked down the long, carpeted hallway toward the kitchen, my boots clicking against the hardwood borders.

Once I was safely behind the swinging door of the pantry, I pulled out my phone.

I opened the email from the independent chemical analyst.

My eyes scanned the PDF attachment.

The results of my blood panel showed high traces of a synthetic sedative.

It was a drug prescribed for severe psychological disorders, one I had never been prescribed.

The dosage in my system was high enough to cause chronic memory loss, confusion, and lethargy.

Jared had been slipping it into my morning tea for months.

I stared at the black-and-white numbers on the screen, my hand trembling.