Nurse Evans came back into the room a moment later.

“You need to lie still, Claire,” she said, checking the screen.

“Your heart rate is climbing again.”

“I need to make a phone call,” I said.

“My phone.”

“Mr. Whitmore has your phone downstairs,” the nurse said.

“He said he didn’t want you being disturbed by any calls or messages.”

“He wants you to have total peace.”

I sank back into the pillows, a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead.

I was trapped in this beautiful room.

And Daniel was on his way to the one place where all my secrets were kept.

I looked out the window at the rain.

The grey clouds seemed to be closing in on the estate.

I prayed that he would only look in the closet.

I prayed that he would only grab the box and the tin and leave.

But as the minutes ticked by, the silence in the room grew heavier.

Downstairs, I heard the faint sound of a car engine starting.

Then, the sound of tires crunching on the wet gravel driveway.

Daniel was gone.