In the car, Tara's high-pitched voice grated against my nerves as she leaned over the front seat to face me.
"Oh my God, Hazel! You missed so much because of your unfortunate incident," she emphasized the word 'incident' as if I'd merely stubbed my toe rather than been stabbed by her. "Derek took me to the Diamond Falls last weekend. You know, that place he always refused to take you?"
Derek's eyes met mine briefly in the rearview mirror, cold and warning.
"And that's not all," Tara continued, practically bouncing in her seat. "We drove your car—I mean, the Bugatti—all around the state. Derek even signed it over to me. Isn't that right, baby?"
Derek reached over to squeeze her thigh. "Nothing but the best for you."
Tara squealed with delight before reaching into the footwell. "Oh! I almost forgot. I got you something, Hazel."
She passed back a small paper bag. "Go ahead, open it."
When I opened it, my stomach churned. Inside was a single heel—one I recognized from the photos she'd sent me covered in dirt and clearly rescued from a dumpster. Below it lay my black lace lingerie, torn and stained.
Without a word, I threw the bag back at her. The heel hit her shoulder, and she let out an exaggerated yelp.
Tears immediately sprang to her eyes. "Derek! She hurt me! I was just trying to be nice!"
"Why did you hurt her?" Derek roared, slamming his hand against the steering wheel. "She's trying her best to welcome you back, and this is how you repay her?"
Tara placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Don't shout at her, Derek darling. I'm sure it's because of the hospital trauma. She's still trying to recover her... sanity."
She reached into her purse and pulled out an amber prescription bottle. "Here, Hazel. The doctor gave me these for you. They'll help with your pain and... mood swings."
When I refused to take it, Derek grabbed my jaw roughly, forcing my mouth open as Tara shoved two pills onto my tongue. Derek clamped his hand over my mouth until I swallowed.
My vision blurred almost instantly. The world tilted and swayed around me as I slumped against the seat. The last thing I heard was Tara's giggle as darkness claimed me.
When I woke, my head pounded mercilessly and something itched against my skin. I looked down to find my body covered in fur—cat fur. My stomach dropped as I remembered my beloved cat, Jinx, who I'd left behind when I fled to the hospital.