Anna's POV:

The medical exam request echoes in my head as Carl drives through the dark streets.

'Standard procedure.'

Right. Standard procedure to make sure I'm clean. To verify I'm not diseased.

'He still thinks I'm a whore. A prostitute he's hiring.'

The thought stings worse than it should. I agreed to this arrangement. Walked back into that house knowing exactly what he wanted.

But somehow, I'd hoped—

'Hoped what? That he'd treat you like ...