Page 53 of Cruel Hearts

“Yes, Mr. Maddox. It will be nice to have her home.”

“Thank you. I feel the same.”

I meet Iona in her office. She’s shaking, and I can only imagine the fury Ash is going to rain down on her later. After all, none of this would have come about if she hadn’t given Stella and Denton a tour of the facility. If Stella hadn’t broken into my sister’s room. If I wouldn’t have seen for myself how much Stella still cares and how much Zarah still cares about her, too.

“Mr. Maddox, I can assure you if this is because of the incident yesterday—”

“It’s not. To be perfectly blunt, Zarah has been treated in this sanatorium for close to five years, and there has been an alarming lack of change in her behavior. I’ve notified our familyphysician, and I’m arranging around-the-clock care. A change of scenery and spending time with people who love her will help more than being locked up here in her room alone. I’m sure you agree, Mrs. Belsely.”

Iona flinches and says nothing. She knows Zarah hasn’t made any progress. Always silent and staring into nothing, no one has been able to draw out of her why she snapped. Zarah’s told no one what happened that night.

I used to think she saw Stella and Cardello leave together, but Ash was adamant Zarah was not to leave the facility and now I’m not so sure. Someone is hiding something, but is it Ash or is it Stella?

I follow Iona to Zarah’s room, and a nurse has her things packed. She’s sitting in her wheelchair, but she’s dressed to go out in a pink silk sundress and flat sandals. She’s still rubbing her finger, and the martini glass Stella drew on her skin has faded but is still visible.

“Zarah, sweetheart.” I crouch in front of her and meet her eyes. There’s nothing in them but a bottomless pit of black.

“We administered her medication, Mr. Maddox,” the nurse says.

I grit my teeth, but I know she’s right. Zarah’s been on her meds for so long she’ll need to be weaned off if our family doctor decides she doesn’t need them. “I want a copy of her records.”

“Of course, Mr. Maddox.”

Iona steps up. “I apologize again—”

“Don’t bother.”

I push Zarah out of the room myself. I’m held up at the receptionist’s desk signing papers that release Zarah into my care, and a nurse hands me a file so thick it needs wide rubber bands to hold it together.

Douglas is waiting under the canopy. Zarah blinks against the bright sunlight, and I swallow a mouthful of swear words.When was the last time she was outside? Gently, he helps her into the SUV, hugs her briefly, and latches her seatbelt.

I throw the file into the front and climb into the back next to Zarah. Leaning my head against the seat, I blow out a breath as Douglas shifts into gear and slowly drives through the parking lot. If I never see this fucking place again it will be too soon.

“Zane.” Zarah’s looking at me, and her eyes are wet with tears.

It’s the only thing she’s said to me in years, and I can barely answer, my throat’s burning so terribly. “Yeah, Z?” Tentatively, not knowing how she’ll respond, I put my arm around her.

Despite the seatbelt, she snuggles into to me. Her hair is soft yet dry, and her skin is smooth but lacks any sparkle. She’s too thin and she smells sterile, like her room at the facility. I’ve turned her into an empty shell.

“Ash is bad,” she whispers, meeting my gaze and flinching like she expects me to slap her. It breaks my heart. How many times has she wanted to say that to me? How many times has Stella tried but gave up because she knew all I’d do is defend my childhood friend?

Kagan Maddox and Clayton Black had been best friends their entire lives.

It blinded me to so many things.

“I know, Zarah. I know, and I’m sorry.”

Lucille’s thrilled to have Zarah home, but Zarah’s zombie state devastates her. Our family doctor is waiting in the living room, and after a quick exam, declares her dehydrated and malnourished. He audibly gasps as he reads her medication list, and my stomach rolls.

“The poor girl,” Dr. Reagan murmurs, running his finger down the paper. “They’ve shut off her brain.”

“How long until you can bring her back?”

“Months. She’s been on these medications for several years, Zane,” he says when I groan in frustration. “We’ll need to be careful. Her body is very dependent on these drugs, and we must have patience. I pray to God they haven’t started an addiction we can’t fight.”

I nod. Patience has never been my strong suit, but I can’t undo the past five years overnight. I may never be able to. “Me too.”

Zarah sits on the sofa, and Lucille’s holding her like she’ll never let Zarah out of her sight again. Zarah’s smiling and looking more alert—similar to when Stella broke into her room.

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