Tonia's POV
A text message I'd been desperately waiting for finally arrived, and I abandoned my office despite the early hour. Work could wait.
Samantha climbed into the passenger seat as I slid behind the wheel. I'd started bringing her along weeks ago after discovering she'd known my secret all this time yet never betrayed me. She'd proven invaluable, and despite everything, she was genuinely good-hearted.
"You should let me drive, ma'am. You look completely drained," she fretted beside me.
"I always look drained, Samantha."
The words escaped before I could stop them, and my gaze caught my reflection in the rearview mirror. The hollow-eyed woman staring back threatened to shatter what little composure I had left.
Designer clothes adorned my frame, courtesy of Bradley's insistence on maintaining appearances. Expensive makeup masked the worst of my exhaustion each morning. But no amount of luxury could disguise what months of captivity had done to my body and soul.
