Taking a steadying breath, she stepped inside, her high heels clicking on the floor. She marched to the window, ripped open the curtains, and threw the sash wide.
Sunlight and fresh air flooded the room.
She made no effort to be quiet, deliberately making noise to rouse the occupant of the bedroom.
Moments later, the master bedroom door creaked open. A tall, gaunt figure emerged.
Hearing his footsteps, Sara didn't turn around. She placed the takeout on the table and slowly changed into her slippers.
Before she could finish, a mocking voice grated against her ear.
"I've always been curious about one thing. Does Adrian know you're using his money to keep another man on the side?"
Sara's back stiffened.
She recovered in seconds.
Turning to face a pair of cynical, teasing eyes, her expression remained calm. "You're bored, Simon."
Simon Simmons curled his lip. "Is it not the truth?"
She ignored the jab. "The weather is beautiful today. After we eat, come downstairs for a walk with me."
"Not going." He dropped onto the sofa, rejecting her instantly.
Several bags of trash were piled by the door. She didn't need to ask to know he hadn't left in days.
"If you stay cooped up like this, you're going to get sick."
"Then let me die. Better to rot here than go out and have people stare at me like I'm a monster."
His self-loathing sparked a flare of anger in her chest.
But then her gaze landed on the hideous burn scars creeping up his neck and arms.
The anger dissolved into heartache.
The scars weren't just on his skin. They had ravaged his soul.
Ever since his discharge from the hospital, he was a different person. Volatile temper. Complete withdrawal from the world. If this continued, Sara feared his mind would break entirely.
She sat beside him, her voice softening. "If you die, wouldn't my sacrifice be for nothing?"
Simon glanced at her and scoffed. "Who asked you to save me?"
"Right, I was meddling." Her tone dripped with reverse psychology. "I shouldn't have made a deal with the devil to pay your medical bills. I should have just bought a bottle of cheap poison—economical and practical—and set us both free."
She nudged him. "If you don't want to see me, just say the word. I'll leave right now."
His face remained cold, but he fell silent.