Beep, Beep.

"My baby's going to die, isn't she?" Jennifer sighed, carefully dotting her smoky eyes with fresh tissue.

Beep, beep.

Dani heard her mom's voice through the thick fog. Inhaled her thick perfume mingled with something else. Antiseptic? It smelled like a doctor's office.

She heard the click of Jennifer's heels on the tile.

Beep, beep. Beep, beep...

What was that noise?

She tried to speak. Opened her mouth. Nothing came out. Her throat was dry, scratchy, and her head hurt. It was so dark. Crinkling her nose, she realized her eyes were closed.

"Ms. Spencer, it might be better if you wait outside," a calm, male voice answered.

"I'm her mother!" Jennifer's loud sobs followed. "How dare you suggest I leave, Dr. Bailey!"

The dramatic statement was delivered like a line from a play.

Who was Dr. Bailey? Was Josh here? Did he bring Jacob?

"Do you know who she is? Who I am?" Jennifer snapped. "I should speak with your supervisor!"

"As I've said before, your daughter's injuries are not fatal. This isn't helping," he answered patiently. "She will need your strength when she wakes up."

Dani fought to open her eyes. They felt heavy. She heard a moan and realized it had come from her.

"Sweetheart?" Jennifer gasped.

Someone was suddenly at her side. A doctor. Dani blinked. He was young and had kind eyes. Most women would find him attractive. There was only one man Dani found attractive, and she'd lost him forever.

She was shallow. Selfish. Stupid. Sinful.

Josh had wanted to marry her. She'd been pregnant and afraid, and he wanted to marry her! Why didn't she say yes? If only she could rewind the last few years, and do it over again. Live her life with Josh and their precious son. Thinking of Jacob her heart cracked wide open.

She'd need a time machine to fix her lie. No, what she needed was God. He'd saved Josh, but would he want her after what she'd done?

You are mine

"What?" she whispered.

Repent daughter so that your sins may be wiped out.

"Forgive me." Her voice was weak.

"What did she say?" Jennifer asked loudly, moving to her. "Danielle, everything will be ok."

"Where am I?" her voice was rusty.

"You're in the hospital," a calm voice answered. "I'm Dr. Bryan Bailey."

Dani tried to turn my head, but it was stiff, painful. "Is Josh here?"

The doctor's gaze flicked to my mom.

"Of course not." Jennifer's gaze flew to Dr. Bailey before returning to Dani. "He's getting engaged. Don't you remember?"

"What?" she gasped, and the beeping increased in temp. "No. No!"

"Dani, calm down."

Josh was getting married? Tears filled her eyes.

"It's going to be ok," Dr. Bailey said quietly, his voice soothing. "Let's start with what you remember."

She tried to take slow, even breaths, but she felt dizzy and sick to her stomach. What happened to her? It came back in slow, frightening flashbacks.

"He was in my apartment. He had a knife."

Dr. Bailey nodded. "You're very lucky. One of your neighbors stopped your attacker."

"Am I...going to live?"

"Yes," the doctor said with a close-lipped smile. His gaze softened. "You have a concussion, two broken ribs, and stitches in your left arm but I expect you to make a full recovery."

"Thank you, Dr. Bailey."

"Oh, my, poor, baby!" Jennifer cried theatrically.

"The police want to speak with you," he said, ignoring her mother. "I can tell them to come back."

She started to shake her head and stopped. "No, I can talk to them."

"And the reporters are here too!" Jennifer patted her eyes with a powder puff. "Your fans are concerned about you."

Panic rose, and her stomach clenched. "I can't talk to the press." Her gaze flew to Dr. Bailey, sensing he'd be her ally. "Please."

"I'll take care of it." Dr. Bailey slid a cautious look at her mother before stepping out of the room.

"If you feel well enough to see the police, you can certainly let your fans know you're alive." Jennifer's beautiful face was a mask of displeasure.

Dani noticed her mother was wearing an expensive black tailored black pantsuit with a pale pink blouse underneath and slingback heels. Her hair was styled perfectly in a chic layered cut, and her makeup appeared professionally done.

"What will everyone think if you refuse to give a statement?"

"That I've been attacked by a man who's stalked me for over a year now," she replied dryly. "I need to see Josh and Jacob. Those are the only people I want to see."

"And the cops. You want to chat with the cops," she bristled.

"Mom, please."

The door opened and a familiar face stepped inside the room adding a bit of life to the sterile room. Relief nearly overwhelmed her. "Agent Reynolds!"

"Hey, there, kiddo," he said with a friendly smile, stepping up to her bedside and dropping a quick kiss on her forehead. He smelled like mint chewing gum.

"You're here. I can't believe it." Her relief was so great she felt the sting of tears. He'd become like a father figure to her.

"The local officers couldn't keep me away." He winked. "They know I'm familiar with your case."

"You must have a lot of free time to rush here." Jennifer sniffed her disapproval.

Reynolds shrugged. "The job has few perks. Seeing one of my favorite girls is one of them."

Jennifer watched him like he was a bug that crawled across her shoe.

Detective Reynolds smiled. Dani's heart warmed.

"Why would the FBI be interested in Dani's case?" Jennifer asked suspiciously.

Reynold's gaze slid to Dani's and he waited for her nod before answering. "There may be a connection between your daughter's case and the disappearances of three other women."

"Oh, my!" Her manicured hand flew to her mauve-painted lips. She tilted her head, watching Reynolds with sudden interest. "Have the reporters gotten wind of this?"

Reynolds frowned.

"You mean like a serial killer?" she asked, ignoring her mother's question.

"Possibly, yes, but nothing for you to worry about. Dubbs Smith was shot this morning by an officer making a routine traffic stop."

Her lips parted. "Is he..."

Reynolds gave a curt nod. "He got away, but the shot was fatal. There was too much blood for him to survive."

She went still, processing the information. Her stalker was dead. She waited for relief, but all she felt was heartache and regret. "It's finally over. Thank God."

Dani's gaze met Reynold's. "Yes, indeed. God was with you, Dani."

"He really was," she whispered. "I know how much I need God now."

Reynolds' gaze warmed. "You've had a lot of people praying for you."

Jennifer pulled out her cell phone, ignoring the exchange. "The people deserve to know what's happening, Danielle."

"Mom—"

"You're a famous actress!" Jennifer's chin lifted and she threw a haughty look. "You can't keep your fans on edge like this. They care about you. Think of what this means for us."

"Don't you get it?" Silent tears slid down her cheeks. "I've lost everything and I'm done. I want my life back."

"Your life in the trailer park? Working a dead-end job? Wondering if we'd have money for food and rent the next month?"

Agent Reynolds stepped in front of Jennifer when she approached Dani's bed. "Ms. Spencer, it might be best to give your daughter some time."

"I know what's best for my own daughter, Mr. Reynolds."

"What's best for you!" Dani cried, unable to hold back. "Why can't you just love me? Not the money or the fame. Just me."

"Danielle!" Jennifer gasped.

"Please. Mom. I want to go home."

"Of course." Jennifer was at her side, taking her hand. "As soon as you're released, we'll find you a new condo, one even fancier than your last one with brand new furniture. You'll feel better."

Dani gently squeezed her mother's hand. Why didn't understand? "I need to go back to Texas. That's home. Not here. Never here."

"You can't mean that." Jennifer stiffened. "Maybe you do need some time. Focus on self-care. I'll be around when you come to your senses."

"I'm focusing on Jesus, not me, and that's what you should do." Dani paused, taking a shaky breath. "If that's not what you choose, I'll still love you. But once I leave here, I'll never be back."

"We'll see Danielle." Jennifer slid her expensive purse onto her shoulder. It cost more than the monthly rent on the trailer they'd once lived in. "You're too smart to throw away your future."

"What about my son? Your grandson? Jacob. You've never even seen him."

"Oh, for goodness sake, stop being dramatic. You shove pictures in my face all the time. Of course, I've seen him."

"Not once have you ever held your own grandchild!" Overwhelming sadness gripped Dani.

"I worked three jobs to support you, Danielle! Do not judge me."

"You wanted me to have an abortion."

"I couldn't bear for you to make the same mistake I did!" Jennifer's lips parted as she realized what she'd said.

Dani had always known her mother regretted the life she'd chosen, but she didn't blame Jennifer. Not anymore. She had no more time to waste dwelling on the past. It was time to move forward, and the first task was remembering who she was—A child of God.

"Will you pray with me?" she asked Reynolds.

Jennifer rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, as if God will really hear you."

Reynolds moved to her bedside, but his gaze was focused on Jennifer when he spoke. "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

A warmth spread in her chest and for the first time in her life, Dani realized that no matter what happened she'd never be alone again. She belonged to the Lord.

Dani was finally going home.