Broken Beauty Read Online Free PDF Page A

phone calls. She gave her consent,” the doctor says.
    “Her father disagrees,” Chris says firmly. “It is both the personal and professional opinion of my client that the morning after pill equates to murder. Any attempt to give Ms. Abbott-Renou the pill will earn your hospital a lawsuit. We’ll shut you down, Doctor.”
    “But I don’t need it,” I say more loudly. “Daddy says a woman who’s been … who’s gone through this can’t get pregnant.”
    The doctor stares at me. I glance at Robin, who lo oks just as surprised. Chris hesitates, but Shea looks confident.
    “That’s what my client believes,” Chris says after a minute. “End of discussion.”
    I feel like I’m missing something. It’s rare when Chris and Shea agree with me. The doctor looks at Chris for a long moment then walks out. She’s weird anyway, but the look on Robin’s face bugs me.
    “Is Daddy coming?” I ask.
    “Possibly,” Chris says.
    “We’ve hired a therapist, a distant cousin, Dr. Thompkins. You’ll start sessions with him tomorrow, as well as go to the family’s personal physician,” Shea adds. “We can’t let you stay for the two days of observation. It’s becoming too hard to keep this wing of the hospital press-free. It’s only a matter of time before someone shows up in your doorway, snapping pictures. The doctor agreed to clear you to leave in twelve hours instead.”
    I roll my eyes. Daddy only trusts the family with our most personal business. Shea is another cousin, and most of the people working for us are somehow related. Of all my uncles, Chris is the only one who isn’t a politician and doesn’t have kids.
    “I’ve got it handled,” Shea says with a small smile. “It’s what I do. No one will see you leave tonight.”
    “Worry about healing, Mia,” Chris says. “We’ll worry about the rest.”
    I don’t feel assured. I look towards the door, hoping to see Dom and Kiesha outside. They aren’t there. I pull my knees to my chest again.
    “Chris … about Robert ...” Just saying the name makes me want to vomit.
    “What do you want me to do?” he asks.
    “I can’t remember.”
    “It’s okay, Mia. We’ll get through this. Focus on resting, okay?”
    “We’ll see you later, Mia,” Shea says.
    They leave. Chris almost seemed truly supportive, though Shea was more interested in bad publicity. Somehow, I feel worse.
    “These taste better than they look,” Robin says, indicating the two small cheeseburger sliders on the plate.
    “I’m too tired to eat,” I say. “Are Kiesha and Dom coming back?”
    “I don’t think so. Your father’s … people have closed down this floor.”
    I take the glass of water and sip it then gaze around at the hospital room. I can’t sleep here. I feel exposed. Maybe I can sleep in the bathroom.
    “I can stay until you fall asleep,” Robin offers.
    “Okay,” I reply.
    “You’ll get to sleep in your own bed tonight.”
    “Yeah.” Maybe Ari will spend the night at my place. I settle onto my left side, the only position that doesn’t cause me pain.
    “Mia, can I ask you something?”
    “Sure.”
    “Why did your daddy tell you that raped women can’t get pregnant?”
    Surprised, I sit up so I can see her with my good eye. Robin is frowning.
    “Sorry,” she says. “I’ll let you rest. I shouldn’t have asked you that. Do you need a pain pill before you go to sleep?”
    I’m concerned, but too exhausted to address her. I simply nod. My head, eye and ankle are all throbbing. Robin brings me one. I take it then lay back down, but I can’t help wondering what’s bothering her. The painkillers knock me out before I can give it too much thought.
     

Chapter Three
     
    Just past midnight, I escape the hospital into the back of one of Daddy’s cars. I don’t lower the hood on my sweatshirt until I’m seated in the backseat. Even then, I shrink away from the tinted window.
    We drive by the front of the hospital. It looks like a zoo. Press