POV: Clara

The duffel bag was heavier than she remembered. Clara’s fingers dug into the strap, her arm shaking as she dragged it across the floor. The wheels snagged on the area rug, thumping against the wood with each jerk forward, a sound loud and way too close in the quiet. She didn’t care if the neighbors heard. She needed to get out before the bond strangled her, before his voice went any deeper into her head.

Her chest heaved as she yanked the zipper shut and hauled the ...