I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes, let out a bitter laugh, and stumbled into my room. I collapsed onto the bed and sank into a black, dreamless sleep.
I didn't know how much time had passed before fingers closed around my throat and jolted me awake.
Patrick loomed over me, his eyes bloodshot, screaming.
"Where's the baby? What did you do with the baby?"
His hand closed around my throat so tight I could barely breathe. I forced the words out through the crushing pressure.
"I didn't..."
June came in crying, dropping to her knees in front of me.
"Please, Serena, you can be angry at me all you want, but the baby is innocent."
"Still lying!"
Patrick's fury spiked. His palm cracked across my face.
My cheek erupted in a searing burn, and the taste of copper flooded my mouth.
"I'll ask you one more time. Where is the child?"
I summoned every ounce of strength I had left and screamed back at him.
"You locked me in that storage room for a full day and night! How could I have taken the baby? Are you blind?"
"There are cameras all over this house. Just check the footage and you'll know exactly where the child went!"