The call bell summoned the nurse into the room. Barrett's expression darkened, and without lingering, he rose with a scowl and left.

Zoe's hands remained clenched tightly on the bedsheets until she watched him leave. Only then did she relax her grip, realizing her palms were damp with sweat.

She couldn't truly maintain the facade of calmness in front of this man.

The influence of depression made seeing him now feel like facing a raging beast, her mind filled with gruesome images.

The nurse came in, checked on her, and then left.

Zoe reached for her phone, hesitating whether to ask Penelope to come back early. As she unlocked her...