Congratulations, You Finally Broke Her

Chapter 2

Cindy woke up to searing pain. Her shoulder was wrapped in thick bandages, and her right arm was encased in a heavy plaster cast.

Jasper sat on the sofa across from her, fingers flying over his keyboard as if the hospital room were merely an extension of his office.

"You're awake. The bullet has been removed—no vital organs were hit. Your arm fracture will require three months of complete rest."

He waited a few seconds.

Based on past experience, Cindy should have been tearing up by now, demanding an explanation, or hurling objects at him in a fit of rage. She had always been fiery and vain; after suffering such humiliation and injury, there was no way she would remain quiet.

But she just lay there, staring at him with hollow, vacant eyes.

"The mission was a complete success. All seven core members of the Gray Foxes are in custody. You did well.

"As compensation, I'll take you to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. Or Paris for Fashion Week. Whatever you want."

With every word Jasper spoke, the color drained further from Cindy's face.

"Jasper. Did you ever actually care whether I lived or died?"

Jasper went stiff. His dark, heavy gaze lingered on her ghost-white face for a heartbeat before drifting away, indifferent.

"It's over now. The S.W.A.T. team had the entire perimeter under surveillance; you were never in any real danger. Some injuries were unavoidable, but everything stayed within controllable limits."

Two shattered arms. A bullet through her shoulder. Nearly violated on live camera. And to him, all of it was "within controllable limits."

She spoke suddenly, her voice barely a whisper.

"Jasper. I want a divorce."

Jasper froze for a split second.

Suddenly, his phone rang—an urgent task from the department. He immediately turned his back and spoke in low, clipped tones as he delegated work. The call lasted five minutes.

Cindy stared at his busy silhouette, and a wave of bone-deep exhaustion washed over her.

Jasper hung up, having already wiped their previous conversation from his mind. His expression was stern.

"The department needs you to cooperate with a formal inquiry. You'll need to recount every detail of your time in captivity. This is crucial for the prosecution."

The door pushed open.

Jenna walked in, looking sharp in her police uniform, her hair pulled back into a sleek, professional ponytail. Her gaze swept dismissively over Cindy's bandaged body.

"Jasper, I'm here to take Ms. Shaw for the interrogation."

Jasper glanced at her. "Take it easy on her. Her wounds are still fresh."

*****

The interrogation room was cramped, the air conditioner hissing as it blasted frigid air.

Cindy shuddered the moment she entered. Dressed in nothing but a thin hospital gown, the low temperature made her wounds throb with sharp, biting pain.

Jenna sat down across from her.

"Sorry about the cold. It's a temperature designed to keep your mind sharp—and honest.

"Now, describe the first day of the a*******n in detail."

Cindy closed her eyes for a moment, forcing herself to cooperate. She began to speak.

But Jenna interrupted her, again and again.

"You said they used a steel pipe, but we recovered an iron rod from the scene. Are you sure your memory isn't failing you?"

Cindy was stunned.

"Also, you claim they forced you to kneel for five hours. According to our forensic analysis of the scene, you couldn't have been in that position for more than an hour. Ms. Shaw, I know this was traumatic, but please refrain from embellishing the facts."

The chill seeped into the marrow of her bones.

"Are you accusing me of lying?"

"I am simply following protocol to verify the facts. Continue. What did they do to your ears on the second day?"

Cindy clenched her fists, enduring the insult, and continued.

Still, Jenna was relentless. "You insist ten shots were fired, but we only found eight casings. Ms. Shaw, your hearing was damaged at the time. Isn't it possible your fear led to a miscalculation?"

"I didn't—"

"You're becoming hysterical, Ms. Shaw. Next question. On the third day, the suspects claimed they intended to sexually assault you. Describe the specific process."

Cindy's breathing grew shallow, her voice trembling uncontrollably.

"You saw the feed. You saw them s***h my dress. They touched me..."

Jenna leaned in, her voice dropping to a predatory whisper.

"Where exactly did they touch you? Your chest? Your waist? Or somewhere more private?

"And what was your internal reaction? Did you feel revulsion... or did you actually have a physical reaction?"

Cindy's head snapped up, her face deathly pale.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm simply exploring the possibility that in your state of extreme terror, you may have hallucinated the assault entirely."