I started looking for apartments, searching for jobs, making preparations to leave.
My strange behavior didn't go unnoticed by Sterling for long. He cornered me in the room and threw a stack of papers on the floor in front of me. "Explain this. All these rental listings — what are they about? You're planning to run?"
I looked at him and drew a deep breath. "I want my freedom."
Sterling's face immediately darkened. "Winnie, what do you take me for? You think you can just come and go as you please? Who gave you the nerve?"
He advanced step by step, his overwhelming intimidation making it hard to breathe. I instinctively shielded my lower abdomen and stepped back. That tiny movement, however, was caught instantly by his sharp eyes. His gaze dropped to my stomach, shifting from confusion t
