Chapter 52

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Sheriff Dare Jensen stepped into Brynlee’s hospital room, his boots scuffing lightly against the sterile linoleum floor. The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of machines and the muted beeping of the heart monitor. Brynlee lay in the bed, her face pale against the white sheets, her eyes closed as if trying to block out the world.

Dare hesitated for a moment, taking in the fragile sight of her. He had seen her grow up, watched her go from a carefree girl to the strong, independent woman she was today. But now, she looked so small, so vulnerable. It was a stark contrast to the Brynlee he knew, the one who always had a quick smile and a sharp retort.

She stirred as he approached, her eyes fluttering open. When she saw him, she managed a weak smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Sheriff,” she greeted softly, her voice hoarse from disuse.

“Hey, Bryn,” Dare replied, pulling up a chair beside her bed. He settled in, trying to keep his tone light. “How you holding up?”

Brynlee shrugged, the movement small, almost imperceptible. “I’m still here.”

Dare nodded, knowing better than to push. He glanced around the room, searching for a way to ease into the conversation.

“Sawyer wanted to come,” Dare began slowly. “I know you don’t want to see him right now. He understands. He just wants to make sure you’re okay.”

Brynlee’s expression tightened, and she looked away, her fingers picking at the edge of the blanket. “I can’t see him, Dare. Not like this.”

Dare dropped into the chair next to the bed. “I get it, Bryn. You’ve been through hell, and you’re still dealing with it. But you should know, he’s not going anywhere. He’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready.”

She didn’t respond, just kept her gaze focused on the blanket, her fingers stilling.

Dare sighed, deciding it was time to share the news he’d come to deliver. “I wanted to let you know we figured out what caused the leak at your salon.”

That got her attention. Her eyes flicked up to meet his, a flash of curiosity breaking through the numbness. “What was it?”

“Elisa,” Dare said, his tone grim. “Zane’s new girlfriend. She’s the one who cut the brake lines on your car too, and drugged you at the bar.”

Brynlee’s eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat. “What? Why?”

“Apparently, Zane still had feelings for you,” Dare explained gently. “Each time he brought your things back, he was hoping to see you again, maybe even work things out. Elisa didn’t take too kindly to that. She decided to take matters into her own hands.”

Brynlee’s face paled further, and she looked down, her hands clenching into fists. “I didn’t… I never wanted him back. I never gave him any reason to think…”

“I know,” Dare said quickly. “This isn’t your fault, Brynlee. None of it is. Zane made his choices, and Elisa made hers. They’re the ones responsible, not you.”

She nodded slowly, the information sinking in. “Thank you for telling me.”

Dare smiled faintly, relieved that she was taking it as well as could be expected. “You’re welcome. We’re going to make sure she pays for what she did.”

Brynlee swallowed hard, the weight of it all pressing down on her. After a long moment, she looked up at him again, her eyes searching his. “How’s Sawyer?”

Dare’s heart ached at the vulnerability in her voice. “He’s holding up okay,” he replied honestly. “But he’s worried about you. Wants to see you for himself.”

She shook her head quickly, the panic returning to her eyes. “I can’t. Not yet.”

Dare nodded, understanding. He stood up, giving her hand a reassuring pat. “It’s okay. He’ll wait. You take all the time you need.”

Brynlee’s lips trembled, and she gave him a small, grateful smile. “Thanks, Dare.”

He smiled back, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “You take care, Bryn. And remember, when you’re ready—he’ll be there.”

With that, Dare turned and left the room, leaving Brynlee alone with her thoughts. She had a long road ahead of her, but he also knew that with time, she’d find her way back. And when she did, Sawyer would be there, just like he promised.

* * *

The drive home from the hospital felt like an eternity. Brynlee sat in the back seat of the Laynes’ car, her head resting against the cool glass of the window, watching the world blur past. Her body was physically present, but her mind was elsewhere, lost in the dark labyrinth of her thoughts.

Mrs. Layne kept glancing back at her, concern etched into every line of her face. “Are you sure you’re okay, sweetheart?” she asked gently, her voice tinged with worry.

Brynlee managed a small nod, not trusting herself to speak. She wasn’t okay—far from it—but she couldn’t bring herself to say the words. The pain, the fear, the overwhelming sense of violation—it all swirled inside her, too vast to put into words.

Her father drove in silence, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly. He was trying to be strong for her, but she could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw was set in a hard line. They had both been so kind, so supportive, but all she wanted was to be alone.

When they finally pulled up to her duplex, Brynlee felt a strange sense of relief mingled with fear.

“Do you need anything before we go?” Mrs. Layne asked as they helped her out of the car and up to her door.

Brynlee shook her head, fumbling with her keys as she tried to keep the tears at bay. “No, I’m fine. I just… I need to rest.”

They exchanged a look, both of them clearly reluctant to leave her alone, but they respected her wishes. “Okay, honey,” Mrs. Layne said softly. “We’ll be just a phone call away if you need anything. No matter what time it is… You’re always more than welcome to call or come over.”

“I won’t,” Brynlee whispered, though she knew she wouldn’t. She couldn’t. She needed to be alone, to retreat into herself where it was safe.

She forced a smile, a ghost of her former self, and watched as they reluctantly left. The moment their car disappeared down the street, she quickly stepped inside and locked the door behind her, the sound of the deadbolt clicking into place oddly satisfying.

Brynlee leaned her back against the door, her heart pounding in her chest as she surveyed the small, cozy space that had once been her sanctuary. Now, it felt suffocating, the walls closing in around her. She took a deep breath and walked to the windows, yanking the curtains closed with trembling hands. She couldn’t stand the thought of anyone seeing her, of the outside world intruding on her fragile sense of control.

The silence in the house was deafening. It pressed in on her from all sides, amplifying the memories she was trying so desperately to keep at bay. The basement, the ropes cutting into her skin, the terror that had consumed her—it was all too vivid, too fresh. She sank down onto the couch, her body curling in on itself as if she could make herself disappear.

She didn’t even want to think about the salon. That was where it all started, where everything had gone so horribly wrong. If it weren’t for that damn leak, she never would have met Burt Johnson. She never would have been kidnapped, never would have endured the horrors that followed. The very thought of stepping foot back in that place made her stomach churn.

Thankfully, Melanie had taken charge. Brynlee had received a text earlier letting her know that all her appointments had been canceled for the foreseeable future. Melanie was handling everything, ensuring that the business didn’t fall apart in her absence. It was a small comfort, knowing that at least one part of her life was being taken care of, but it didn’t erase the guilt she felt for abandoning her clients, her responsibilities.

But she couldn’t face it. She wasn’t ready to step back into the world, to pretend that everything was okay when it wasn’t. Not yet.

Brynlee buried her face in her hands, her body trembling as the tears finally came. She cried for everything she had lost, for the sense of safety that had been ripped away from her, for the woman she used to be and wasn’t sure she’d ever find again.

And as she cried, the darkness in her mind deepened, swallowing her whole.