EMBER’S POV

“And did you honor that request?”

“I honored her request not to report to authorities—protocols were different then, and I believed forcing a report against her wishes would put her in more danger.” Dr. Moreau pauses. “But I kept my own records. Personal notes. Backup files that weren’t part of the hospital’s official system. I kept them because something about her case haunted me. Because I suspected she would need proof someday, when she finally found the courage to leave.”

She reaches into her bag and produces a folder.

“I have those records here. Detailed notes from my examination. Photographs of the bruising that I took with her...