When the Dream Finally Died

before she finally got to her feet and he

ill the s

allway, the iron do

ust as she was about to knock, th

coats stood there

er, please

, only to find Cha

her?" she demand

ry, Miss Fowler. Once you're fully recove

s heart sank, and she

ocument from the desk. "This is a court-approved involuntary exa

but one man grabbed her, and

ights became the darkest

orked in shifts twenty-four hours a day. The moment she clo

orcing her to admit cri

you jealous

arlee

arents dese

erself until her mouth was raw, b

was hazy, and even lifting he

oor o

walk

ed suit, hair immaculate, utterly ou

urrowed, and said to the men

aints wer

nd she nearly fell,

yet Ryann flinche

raped an arm over her sh

ights stabbed

barely audible, she whispered

aused,

softly. "I know I was wrong. As long as

he sighed and led her

It was smaller, darker, and even more c

at in the corner. Hearing her

hollow eyes flicker

." he mu

him, tears pouring. "Ch

ted her back. "Go, Ryann.

ightly. "I'm taking yo

... but you can still run

rself to stay calm. "Listen to me. Just hold on a few

d at her and

ed on the doo

ast time and whispered i

d walked out

her, she heard his faint v

her legs buckled, and

hands ca

ning into his chest, Ryann finally

trength faded. In the end, all she could do was clutch his