Cynthia Dion:

"Maleeka! Listen to me," Atticus broke the hug and cradled her face in his hands. "That man could be lying; even if there's a slight chance that he's lying about the whole hypnotism thing, tell me how you would feel leaving your child with a man who, even for a minute, you know cares nothing about you or your child. Tell me." Atticus was trying to persuade her not to let Mr. Holt control her, but she was madly in love with this man and wasn’t ready to believe anybody ...