Chapter 7

Annie's POV

The sharp, stinging scent of an unfamiliar environment pulled me from unconsciousness. My head throbbed, a lingering effect of whatever Philip had used to silence me. Tears welled up as the weight of his final betrayal crashed over me.

Why is it always me? What did I do wrong?

The betrayal by Philip, the coldness of Brian, the loss of my child—it all felt like a mountain of grief. I forced myself to stop crying. You will NOT fall apart here, I told myself.

I forced my eyes open. I was in what looked like an abandoned studio, filled with old equipment and dust. A man stood across the room, methodically adjusting an old camera. I recognized him from a photo I had seen—he was Robert, Sarah's ex-husband.

"Brian?" My voice was a whisper. "Where's Brian?"

"He's safe. Sarah picked him up," Robert said, his focus remains on his equipment. He looked disheveled but focused. "You're quick-witted. You can figure out why you're here."

I realized then that this was all a calculated play. Sarah knew I had found the messages on her phone. I needed to act.

I saw my belongings on a small table nearby. My phone, my keys, and Howard Thompson's business card. While Robert was distracted with his camera lens, I shifted my weight, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Through the haze of the sedative, my movements felt sluggish. I waited for him to turn his back. As he reached for a flash unit, my fingers closed around my phone. I managed to slide it behind me just as he looked up.

"What else do you know?" he asked, his voice empty.

With trembling fingers behind my back, I navigated to the contact list. I found the number from the card Howard had given me. I didn't dare look at the screen. I just pressed 'dial', hoping the man who offered me a job could now offer me a lifeline.