His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Perhaps you don't understand the situation. My influence extends to this hospital too. One word from me, and the doctor will administer drugs that will render you genuinely mentally unstable." He leaned closer. "All of this happened because of you. You pushed Tara. You provoked her."
"I won't do it," I said.
Derek grabbed my rescuer by the arm, yanking her from her chair. He pressed his forearm against her throat. "Post the apology or this Good Samaritan will need her own hospital bed."
The young girl's eyes widened in terror.
With shaking hands, I recorded the apology, tears streaming down my face. The moment I posted it, Derek released the girl who collapsed gasping on the floor. He checked my post and nodded with satisfaction.
"Pack your things once you get better," he ordered. "You're coming home with us."
"Us?"
"Tara will be living with us now," he said. "She needs protection from false accusations. And you need to be reminded of your place."
He leaned over, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered: "This is just the beginning of your punishment, Luna Hazel."
For five days, I stared at the hospital ceiling. Each breath reminded me of how I'd abandoned everything for him.
My position as heiress to the Northern Lake pack and my family's legacy. All sacrificed for what I'd foolishly believed was love.
Now I lay broken in a hospital bed while Derek paraded around with his stepsister.
My phone chimed with a notification. With trembling fingers, I unlocked the screen. A new video from Tara.
They were at our favorite beach, the one where Derek had first told me he loved me. Tara was wearing my swimsuit, laughing as Derek chased her into the waves.
A second video arrived moments later. Tara was twirling in my wedding dress—the one I'd preserved in a box, waiting for an anniversary Derek would acknowledge. He stood behind her, his hands trailing down her sides as he whispered something in her ear.
"Remember when you said this dress was bad luck?" Tara's voice rang out. "Turns out it just needed the right bride."
I closed my phone and took a deep breath. Just five more days. Five days until my divorce was finalized and my visa to leave the country was processed. Five days until freedom.
Three days later, they discharged me. True to their word, Derek and Tara came to pick me up.