Chapter 53

"I'm sorry you had to go through this. It's my fault for not finding you sooner. Don't be afraid, you're really okay now. The doctors have treated you, and the baby is fine too, but you'll need plenty of rest." The baby... My hands flew to my abdomen in sudden panic, then relaxed as overwhelming relief washed over me. Thank goodness. Both the baby and I were safe. Tears welled up uncontrollably as lingering fear gripped me. I clung to him desperately. Through his explanation, I learned that after I left home, he had come looking for me. Encouraged by my lack of resistance the previous night, he'd wanted to spend more time together. When he found me gone, he began searching everywhere. At first, he couldn't locate me. My phone went unanswered, and fearing the worst, he immediately contacted the police for assistance. As the Carter family was the wealthiest in the city, authorities took his missing person report seriously—especially when he suggested I might be suicidal. Reviewing survei