Page 170 of Carnal

Alarm bells ring in my ears. I blurt out, "Don't come any closer!"

He freezes. "I'm a doctor. And I just want to make sure that you don't need any medical attention. Do you mind if I give you an exam?"

Panic gushes through every cell in my body. "No, you're not touching me! Don't let anyone touch me, Bridget!"

She puts her hands in the air. "Okay, don't worry. Silvio, out."

"But—" He starts to object before Bridget cuts him off.

"Out, Silvio. Now!" she demands.

He sighs. "Okay, but I'm here to examine you when you're ready."

"It's not necessary," I assert.

He exchanges a look with Bridget and then leaves. He shuts the door.

She turns toward me. "I promise you, Silvio won't hurt you."

"I don't want anyone touching me."

"I understand. But if you change your mind, I can assure you he's safe."

"Good to know," I murmur, but I have no intention of letting anyone who's male get near me.

Bridget sits down again. "Can you tell me how you feel? Do you have a headache? Does your stomach hurt?"

"I'm just weak. And dizzy. I haven't eaten for so long," I admit.

She furrows her eyebrows. "Why haven't you eaten?"

Shame fills me. I'm unsure why, but I quietly confess, "Jacopo said I needed to lose weight. I was only allowed half a grapefruit at breakfast with water throughout the day. For dinner, I got one grilled chicken tenderloin."

Bridget looks at me in horror. She swallows hard then states, "I'm so sorry."

I shrug and then break down again.

She pulls me into her. It feels so good to have her hugging me. It's like when my mom was alive.

That thought makes me cry harder.

"Shh. It's okay. Everything will be okay. I promise," Bridget coos.

"I wish my family wasn't dead," I cry out.

Her body stiffens. "What are you talking about?"

I glance up, sniffling. "Biagio told me how they're all dead. I can't even remember their funerals."

Bridget's face turns to stone. "Pina, listen to me. Your family is not dead. They're very worried about you. They're actually on their way over."

A chill runs down my spine. "What?"

"Whatever Biagio told you was a lie."

"They...they're alive?" I question again.

"Yes," she assures me.

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