Sin's hand tightened in mine. I glanced up at her to find her already watching me. She was still pale. However, in the two days that she's been in the hospital, she hasn't said a word to anyone.

"It's going to be okay," I told her. "We know that you would never hurt yourself." I gave her a small smile, hoping to ease her fear. "Not one of use will allow them to take you away."

My eyes dropped to the white bandages around her wrist. It was a reminder of how close I came to losing her.

A soft knock on the door broke the silence.

The doctor entered and gave me a nod. He turned his attention to Sin and gave her a bright smile. "I got some good news for you young lady. You get to go home today."

Fear flashed through her eyes. I gave her an encouraging smile. The doctor moved closer and handed me a piece of paper. I glanced down at it and then quickly stuffed it into my jeans pocket. He had written down some numbers of a shrink that be able to help if needed.

"There is some bad news too," he muttered. "You have to take it easy. No running around. Since you've lost so much blood you might still experience some dizziness."

"I'll make sure she takes it easy," I promised him.

With another nod, he walked out of the room and softly closed the door behind him. I turned to Sin. Reaching out, I cupped her cheek and forced her eyes up to mine.

"You're not going back there," I told her softly. "Bella and Michel wants you to stay with them, that okay?"

She hesitated, and then nodded.

I smiled at her. My lips brushed hers just as there was another knock on the door. I quickly stepped away and turned. A blue teddy bear's head appeared first followed by the rest of its body. Seconds later Michel's facae appeared next to the teddy bear's.

"I thought you might get lonely so I brought you a little friend," he said softly.

Little was an understatement. The bear had to be at least a few inches shorter than her. Michel walked over to the bed and placed it down on her lap. Sin gave him a small smile and hesitantly reached out. Sin softly touched it and then glanced up at him. Questions flashed through her eyes.

"It's yours sweet pea."

A slow blush started spreading up her neck and into her cheeks. Sin pulled the teddy to her chest and hugged it tightly. I glanced over my shoulder when I heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Bella hesitated in the doorway clutching a plastic bag and one of her old gym bags.

Bella looked a little uncertain. She placed the bag on the end of the bed. "I got you some clothes."

"And since you won't talk to us, we got you something to communicate."

Bella smiled and reached into the bag to pull out a small fluffy notebook and pink pen. She placed it on the bed at Sin's knee.

"Now you can write down whatever you want to say."

A fleeting look of dismay flashed across Sin's face. She blinked and then it was gone. I stood back and watched as they talked to her. Bella was trying to tell jokes but all Sin gave her was small smiles. Michel was frowning at them. I caught his eyes over their heads. He nodded towards the door.

I touched Sin's arm to get her attention. "We'll be right outside the door."

I didn't wait for an answer. Michel followed me. He pulled the door close but left it slightly ajar.

"The knife we found had only her prints on." I leaned against the wall. "The camera's are completely busted—it hasn't been fixed for a few tears. And none of the workers saw Lauren at the stables."

"So basically we have no evidence to link her to what happened to Sin."

Michel nodded.

"I saw Lauren coming from the stables. She was nervous and jumpy. You should've seen her face when she saw me. I saw the blood on her blouse."

"I asked Beth to keep a look out for that. If the blouse is there I can test the blood."

I glanced over his shoulder and instantly straightened. Draven was hurrying towards us. His eyes narrowed on Michel when he stepped in front of the door to stop him from entering.

"The doctor called to tell me she's being released. I came to pick her up."

"She's not going back to that place," I said softly. "Sin will be staying with Bella and Michel."

"Sin?" he questioned. "Her name is Sydney and I don't give a fuck what you think. She's my responsibility and that means she'll go home with me."

I stepped forward when he moved again. "She is old enough to make her own decisions and she chose not to go back there."

"My name is on—"

"I'll have you arrested," Michel spoke up. "She's being abused under your roof and you're turning a blind eye. You're also forcing her to go back to a house she doesn't want to."

"She's mentally unstable!" he yelled. "She fucking tried to kill herself. Sydney needs help!"

I didn't give a fuck about the consequences. I hit him. Draven hit the floor hard enough to make him gasp for air. I heard the gasp from nearby people, but ignored them. Stepping closer, I leaned down and grabbed his shirt to pull him closer. With my face inches from his I told him exactly what he was going to do.

"You're going to get up and leave. Sin doesn't want to go back and I'll not allow it. She isn't mentally unstable! Open your fucking eyes and stop believing the shit your wife is spewing at you. Get your head out of her fucking ass." I let go and straightened. "Your wife was the one who left her there to die, and I'm going to proof it."

Draven stumbled to his feet. He glared at me as he wiped the blood from his face. "Hell will freeze over before I allow her to be part of your sick relationship."

It used to hurt whenever he said something like that, but I had learned to ignore him. Nobody had to like the way we lived except those in our relationship. As long as Sin was happy being part of my little family, then that was all that mattered.

I watched him until he disappeared from sight before turning and entering the room again. Bella watched me with wide eyes, but there was no sign of Sin. I raised an eyebrow in question. Bella pointed to the bathroom. I nodded and then grabbed the bag on the bed. Knocking on the door, I waited a few seconds and then opened it.

Sin was on the toilet. Her cheeks flushed a bright red. I smiled at her and walked over to the cabinet. Dropping the bag on it, I started pulling out the clothes. Bella had packed some panties and shorts with a pink Cami. I searched for a bra but found none. When I heard the toilet flush, I turned to Sin. She was hovering next to me.

"Wash your hands baby," I ordered softly.

I stepped aside and watched as she did as I ordered. She was careful not to wet the bandages. Her eyes darted to mine. They were swollen and slightly red. She's been crying. My lips parted but she spoke before I could.

"I'm not sick," she whispered. "I'm not."

"I know that baby, and soon everyone will know that to." I wiped the tear from her cheek. "Let's get you dressed, and then we'll head home."

"You're home."

I shook my head, making her shoulders sag. "You're going to stay with Bella and Michel, remember?"

"And you," she whispered.

I wasn't sure if I'd be staying there. So, I said nothing. I turned her around so I could untie the strings of the hospital gown. It dropped to the floor. I sucked in a sharp breath when I caught my first glimpse of her bare back. The remains of old scars covered most of her back. They were faded, mostly pale, ragged lines.

"I tried to climb out of the basement. I didn't know about the wires," she whispered.

"Barbed wire?"

She nodded and then glance at me over her shoulder. "When father had parties, he locked me in there. It was always cold and dark."

I pursed my lips and glanced back down at her back. It must've been hell. She had to endure a lot of pain as they healed. I turned her around to face me before reaching for the panties. Crouching in front of her I held it up and waited for her to step into it. Her hands gripped my shoulder for balance. I tugged the panties up her legs and reached for the shorts.

Straightening, I smiled down at her as I tugged the shirt over her head and down her body. Bella should've packed a bra too. Her nipples were poking through the thin material. I frowned.

"Can I g-go?"

My eyes snapped up to his. "Go where?"

She licked her lips and then dropped her eyes to my chest. "When you dress me and take care of me, I want to slip inside my mind and let you take care of me."

"I don't mind you slipping into little space baby," I told her softly. "It will mean a lot if you do that because I know you trust me to take care of you and keep you safe."

"You won't get angry?"

"No."

"You won't hurt me?"

"Never."

"Michel too?"

"He won't hurt you either baby. He'll take care of you as if you were his own little girl," I said softly.

She swallowed and then nodded. I picked her up and placed her on the basin. Grabbing the shoes, I slipped them on and then stepped between her legs. She watched me silently as I watched her.

I smiled and she smiled back at me.

"You need to get a haircut," I said softly, fingering the strands of hair at her waist.

Sin remained silent. My smile widened when she wrapped her legs around my waist. I zipped the bag close. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I hoisted her against me and then grabbed the bag. Sin wrapped her arms around my shoulders and buried her face against my neck. I heard her sigh softly as her body relaxed against mine.

I think I finally found the one I wanted to keep forever.

***

As we drove home, Sin slowly faded into little space. She stroked the teddy bear's head softly. I glanced at her when she shifted in the seat. She leaned forward and bit the bear's nose. Her cheeks hallowed as she started sucking on it.

"Don't put that in your mouth baby," I said as I reached out to pull the bear away from her mouth.

She whimpered, opening her mouth to do it again.

My eyes narrowed. "If you do that again I'm going to take him away."

She huffed and pouted up at me. I turned back to watch the road. My eyes darted to the rear-view mirror where I spotted Michel driving behind us.

Sin started humming softly. I smiled as I tried to figure out what song it was. Slowing the truck, I pulled into the drive and waited for Michel to open the gate. Parking the car, I switched of the ignition and got out.

I walked around the front of the truck and opened her door. She smiled up at me as I unfastened her seatbelt.

"Dada!" I froze. "Up. Up."

Her hand against my cheek instantly snapped me back to reality. I smiled at her as I picked her up and placed her on my hip. She reached out for the teddy, and I handed it to her. Slamming the door close, I grabbed the bag and then made my way up the path. Her legs swung back and forth as I walked. She was humming softly again and her hand kept tugging on my hair.

My eyed caught Michel's when I entered the living room. He raised and eyebrow. I shrugged and lowered Sin to the couch. She gasped and tightened her legs around me.

"No!"

"Let go baby," I said softly.

"Nah-ah." Sin shook her head and held on tighter.

"I got it," Michel said softly, reaching for the bag. "You take care of her."

I maneuvered her slightly before taking a seat on the couch and placing her on my lap. She leaned her head against my chest with a sigh. Pressing a kiss against her forehead, I reached for the remote and switched on the TV.

"What do you want to have for lunch baby?" Sin blinked up at me. "What about some chicken nuggets?"

"'uggets," she muttered.

I chuckled. "I'll make you some nuggets."

She grabbed my hand and closed my fingers. Grabbing my thumb, she raised it and then tugged my hand closer to her face. My mouth felt open when her lips closed around my finger, and to my surprise, she started sucking on it like she did to the bear's nose.