It takes me five days to get through all the books I wanted to read, and a few I didn’t. Now all the books are back inside the box, and I’m sitting on the bed staring at it. A sound at the door makes me look up.

The breakfast tray was pulled out at least an hour ago. Still a few hours left before lunch arrives. I look at the partition, waiting for it to open. Maybe I’m getting a mid-morning snack. That would be new.

I jump when the entire door opens.

Damien breezes in, casual and cool in a cobalt-blue polo shirt, stone-washed jeans, and a smile. My mind recalls Judson, the man who once stole my breath away and filled my dreams nightly. Before my body can react, I blink the memories away. Damien, the monster, reappears and my heart turns to lead.

“You look well today.” He comes to sit next to me on the bed. He smells of shampoo and peppermint.

He raises his hand, hesitating before placing it on my arm. I shrug him away, shrinking from his touch.

“I’d prefer it if you didn’t touch me.” Rage scalds the back of my throat.

He withdraws his arm and places both his hands on his knees. “Let me make this clear. I hate this as much as you.” His voice is low and thick. If I were anyone else, I’d probably believe he means what he says.

“And yet you continue to keep me locked up in here.”

He shifts ever so slightly. “I’m normally a risk taker. I welcome risk in business, but not in love. I can’t risk letting you out of here until I’m one hundred percent sure you will not betray me. I still have a nagging feeling you will.”

I bury my hands in my hair. It’s still damp from earlier, when I washed it with grapefruit-scented shampoo. Yesterday afternoon, my lunch was accompanied by a bag that contained all the toiletries a girl might need, including tampons.

He gets to his feet and rolls his shoulders. “I’m not prepared to take any chances. So you’ll remain in here until you understand your place. You’ll only be permitted to leave this room once I instruct you to.”

I massage my temples and take deep breaths, begging my mind to stay calm.

He pushes his hands into his pockets, legs wide apart. “I hate that you are sad, though. I know you’re bored in here, all alone. So I brought you a little surprise.”

“I don’t like surprises.” I tilt my head back and gaze into his green eyes. There’s not much life behind them today, no sparkle. He’s tired. The fear of me leaving him, and watching me day and night from his secret cameras, must be robbing him of sleep.

“You’ll love this one, believe me.” He heads to the door and taps on it. When it opens, he beckons someone inside.

Hanna appears in the doorway with a teal, cable-knit cashmere blanket in her arms. Adrian is peering over her shoulder, a puzzled expression on his face.

Damien steps aside to let her in, his arms folded across his chest.

As Hanna walks in, taking careful steps as though carrying something breakable, I notice that the bun that used to be on the top of her head is now tucked at the base of her neck. Her face looks softer than before, her lips curved in a tiny smile. “Good morning, Mrs. Steel.” She places the bundle in my arms and steps from the room.

I lower my gaze, and the blood gushes from my face. The shock is so sudden my body jerks and I almost drop the surprise. I blink several times to make sure my eyes are functioning properly.

Gazing back at me are the big brown eyes of a baby sucking on its fingers.

“See, I knew you’d be blown away.” Damien is sitting next to me again, touching a springy curl on the baby’s creamy forehead.

“Are you… are you out of your mind?” I attempt to hand the baby to him, but he stands up again and takes a few steps back.

“Maybe.” He rubs his chin. “Or maybe I’m just a loving husband who wants his wife to have a reason to wake up in the morning. I’m guessing you don’t feel too excited about waking up these days, do you?”

“You are crazy.” My body trembles along with the words, but I’m careful to keep the innocent baby steady in my arms.

“Stay calm around the baby. You don’t want to scare him, do you?” He steps forward again, leans down, and kisses the baby’s forehead. “You can decide on a name for him.”

The baby has fallen asleep, his long, thick eyelashes resting on his cheeks and his fingers still in his mouth. Warmth spreads through my chest.

I love children, and babies melt my heart, but it bothers me not to know what Damien’s plans are.

“Where did you get him?” I’m afraid to learn the answer, but it’s the most important thing right now.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t steal him, if that’s what you’re thinking.” He leans against the door to the walk-in wardrobe. “In fact, I happen to be his guardian angel right now.” He raises a hand. “I mean us. We are. The baby was found in a hotel bathroom a couple of days ago. I was shocked that someone would abandon a two-month old baby. I offered to give him a temporary home until a permanent one can be found.”

He pushes his hands into his pockets. “I told the cops and child protective services that my wife and I would be delighted to look after him for a couple of days. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to ask you first. You do love babies, don’t you? I recall you saying as much in one of your magazine interviews, about two years ago, when you were still working as a model. You said you hated being an only child, that you wanted a big family. We’ll have that family, eventually. This is a fantastic opportunity to practice, don’t you think? And it gives you something to do.”

While he’s talking, the door opens again, and Hanna and Adrian bring in several boxes of various sizes, which they place around the room.

The baby squirms and I look at him, thinking he’s about to wake up. His eyes flutter for a moment, but then he gives a soft sigh and sinks back into sleep.

I’m still paralyzed with shock as I watch Damien help Adrian and Hanna open the boxes, revealing all kinds of baby products.

Adrian exits the room and returns with a brand new changing table in distressed black, carried on one end by another man I haven’t seen before. Next they bring in a matching embroidered crib with carvings accenting the head- and footboard.

“Put it over there.” Damien points to an empty wall.

“Whaaat…” The words wedge themselves inside my tight throat before I can finish the sentence.

While I’m still struggling to react, Hanna brings in bags of diapers as well as shopping bags bursting with baby clothes, designer tags hanging out. A pure white wicker Moses basket is placed next to my bed, a few inches from where my feet are planted.

“Thanks, everyone.” Damien waves them out, and we’re alone once more. He ignores the shock on my face. “I hope you have everything you need for the baby. If you need anything else, let me know.” He glances at his watch. “I have some things to take care of. I’ll see you in a few days.”

“Are you kidding me? What you’re doing is disgusting.”

“Many would disagree. I’m giving a child that could have died the opportunity to live. All I’m asking for is a little help from you. Is that too much to ask?”

“Why me? Hanna could look after him. Or you could get a nanny. I know nothing about looking after babies.”

“This is your chance to learn. One day we’re going to have children of our own.”

“What kind of twisted world do you live in?” I pause as the baby wriggles in my arms, bringing its face close to my breast. I drop my voice. “You’re delusional.”

“No. I’m in love with you, and I’m waiting for you to love me back, like you used to.”

“I never loved you. That was...” I laugh bitterly. “You can’t expect me to feel anything for you, not after everything you’ve done.”

“You’ll see it differently one day. I’ll wait.” With that he walks to the door and taps on it. It opens, and he leaves.

Hanna returns some minutes later, carrying a basket overflowing with baby formula, a kettle, a thermos, and a few baby bottles.

“He is a good man, Mr. Steel.” She places a warm bottle next to me. “He cares about people in need. He has helped so many poor people in this town.”

“What’s the name of this town, Hanna?” I ask before the moment slips away.

She shakes her head and walks to the door. “Mr. Steel will send me up to help you if you need me. I worked in an orphanage in Hungary. I saw many innocent babies suffer after their mothers left them behind.” Her smile wavers. “There was no one like Mr. Steel to save those poor babies.”

So I was right about her Eastern European accent. How did she come to work for Damien?

Before she disappears through the door, I swing my legs from the bed. “Please don’t go. I can’t…I can’t keep this baby.”

I don’t get to her fast enough: the door opens and closes, leaving me alone with a baby I don’t know. A baby that’s now awake and smiling at me.

This has to be some kind of joke, I think as I sink onto the bed and pick up the warm bottle. But if it’s a joke, why would Damien go to all the trouble of buying everything the baby needs?

I don’t know how I’ll be able to care for a baby when I’m a complete mess, when I can’t even help myself. He must be using the baby to distract me from thoughts of leaving him.