Page 36 of Pretty Cruel Love

I collapse into the chair, and my muscles exhale in relief.

“Forgive me for saying this, Miss Pretty, but you’re easily the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life.” The professor offers a small smile.

I glance at Dr. Weiss. His expression doesn't change, but his fingers whiten around his chair’s armrest.

“Let’s pick up our conversation where we left off.” He acts as if we were actually talking before this guy arrived.

“How do your family members treat you when they come to visit you in prison?” he asks.

“They don’t visit.”

“Ever?”

“The visits stopped after the first year,” I say. “After the hugeDatelineepisode…”

“What about when you call?”

“They don’t answer,” I say. “They haven’t answered in years. I trade my extra phone minutes for stamps and snacks.”

“Friends?”

“I have tons of pen pals and a few old friends from college who reach out every now and then for a research project. They don’t ask about me. It’s just about the prison experience and if it’s as bad as some people say it is.”

“Interesting,” the professor chimes in. “Is it?”

“It’s worse than anyone could ever imagine.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Miss Pretty.” He looks genuine. “What about your boyfriend?”

Dr. Weiss’s head jerks up from his notebook. His brow tightens.

I hesitate, briefly considering a lie—but they’ve probably read every transcript I’ve ever given.

“We’re on a break right now,” I say. “It’s complicated.”

He looks like he wants more, but I leave it there. I’ve said enough.

The sound of scribbling fills the room as the professor asks a few more questions, and before I know it, the session is over.

Later that night

When I wake to use the bathroom, I notice Dr. Weiss has made a move on our chessboard.

He’s captured my knight.

A petty, premature move. Not strategic—personal.

He’s sending a message.

He’s angry with me…

16

SADIE

Day Nine

He doesn’t show up for our morning therapy session.

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