At the Fitch's mansion.

Zoey peered through the narrow window, considering what to do next. She could leave if she wanted to, but something within her

resisted the idea of running away.

It was darkening outside. Fitch hadn't been hfor two days, and Zoey sensed something had gone wrong.

Her phone had been confiscated, cutting her off from the world.

She just sat by the window, resting her chin on her arms and breathing in the fresh air.

Then her stomach growled, as she had barely eaten the day she arrived and had thus struggled with an upset stomach.

Now, after enduring two days without food, she felt her insides were rebelling, and she had a futile retching that brought up

nothing.

Thankfully, the housekeeper wasn't completely cruel - she had given her a pitcher of water each day.

Those two pitchers had sustained her, though the dizzying hunger and the stabbing pain of her ailment were almost unbearable.

As she lay by the bed, sweat beaded her forehead, and her shoulders rose and fell gently.

After having endured so much, she thought she was beyond feeling downtrodden. Yet, her eyes grew hot with unshed tears.

A car engine rumbled outside. She couldn't see it from her vantage point, but the sound was unmistakable.

Taking a deep breath, she resettled herself on the bed's edge.

As Fitch entered and handled his coat to a servant, someone asked, "Mr. Haskins, when can we serve Zoey sfood?"

With Fitch absent for the past two days, the staff had been hesitant to make any decisions.

Fitch paused, suddenly remembering Zoey's presence.

He didn't want to deal with her family; the mere thought of that brought him a physical repulsion.

"Where is she?"

servant led him

saw her sitting

and Zoey's gaze

plate of fiery red chili peppers sat on

"What's the matter,

her stomach in knots,

"How's Mia?" she asked.

sent Fitch striding forward in fury,

you sure you

met his gaze,

"No."

briefly cleared her head; she felt his disdain to her as if she

it felt as though her very

he kept eyes on her form before

lighted a cigarette, and his presence

"Eat," he commanded.

was a deliberate

at the plate of chili peppers, and with a surge of

the peppers into her

her face as she choked on

two days without food, her stomach couldn't

in a few bites, then she

"Ugh."

she expelled wasn't just the peppers

the window, unheeding of the

half the cigarette, he turned

the table, he noted that only half the peppers

the door to leave, but a thud from

the door to

"Zoey?"

out, he hurried back to

floor; with her forehead bleeding from a collision, she remained unconscious and eerily

his pupils

her into

burst open with a kick, and he carried her back to the sofa in the main hall, "Get

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