Page 58 of Pretty Cruel Love

Gasping, I look back at the board, trying to see what he sees. And just as I realize exactly how I fucked up my bishop, the front door creaks open.

My heart stutters.

Has the warden changed his mind already? Did he send guards to take me back?

My heart pounds with uncertainty as an unfamiliar brunette and a man I’ve seen before—Dr. Sheldon—step inside. Expressionless, they’re both carrying duffel bags with bright orange “Corrections Approved” tags.

My private world with Ethan bursts into flames.

The man who kissed my neck in the bath, who whispered like we had forever, is gone. In his place: a stranger in a white coat who prefers being called “Dr. Weiss.”

“May I help you with something?” He glares at them. “No visitors are allowed in the cabin without my pre-approved permission.”

“Oh, I figured you’d make a special exception for us.” The brunette glares right back at him. “Especially since the audio team had a few issues during your breakfast this morning. Strange how these glitches keep happening, isn’t it?”

“Very strange.” Dr. Weiss’s voice is cold.

The room remains icily silent for several seconds, until the brunette walks over to me and extends her hand.

“My name is Robin Schreiner, Miss Pretty.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I usually assist Dr. Weiss and Mr. Sheldon during the very extensive and intrusive truth serum part of this experiment.”

“Robin Schreiner…” I say softly, shaking her hand, taking in her picture. I’ve always wondered what the woman who dedicated an entire summer to telling my story via deep-dive podcast looked like, and I expected more of an evil high-heeled fashionista.

She looks like a schoolteacher.

“We figured we’d camp out on Dr. Weiss’s patio for the next few nights since we have quite a bit of work to do on your case.” She looks away from me, then at Dr. Weiss. “The legal team has just submitted some incredible findings to the appeals court, so we should go ahead and start the truth serum within the hour.”

“You could’ve called me.” Dr. Weiss clenches his jaw. “This isn’t how I like to do things.”

“Oh, I know, Dr. Weiss.” Her voice is tight. “No use in trying to stick to the usual plan now though, right?”

“Right.” His face reddens and he pushes up his sleeves. “As a matter of fact?—”

“We won’t get in the way of the remaining sessions.” Mr. Sheldon rushes over, desperate to cut through the thick tension. “Outside of the truth serum exams, you’ll never even know we’re here.”

“I highly fucking doubt that, Sheldon.” Dr. Weiss hisses, but he backs down. “I’ll get Miss Pretty ready for the first test.”

Robin looks tempted to have the last word, like she suspects that there’s something going on between me and Dr. Weiss, but she holds back.

She and Sheldon head to the other side of the cabin without another word, and I know that the chances of me ever being alone with Ethan again are slim to none.

And maybe that’s what they’re here for—to make sure it never happens again…

26

SADIE

Night Nine

(Truth Serum)

The truth serum part of the experiment is finally here.

Even though Dr. Weiss has walked me through it daily—explained each stage, each reaction, each possible side effect—it still feels too soon.

There are too many people in the room, too…

I’ve counted six so far—including my new lawyer, who seems marginally better than the last, but still smells like doubt and desperation. A full row of cameras blink from the ceiling. No one’s even pretending to be discreet.

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