"You won't confess? Still lying?" His voice dropped to something dangerous. "Fine. Let's see just how stubborn you really are."
He stood, seized my arm, and dragged me toward the stairs.
"Clay! Let go of me!"
He ignored my struggling, hauled me down to the basement freezer, and shoved me inside. The lock clicked into place.
"Let me out! Clay!"
I slammed my fists against the door, over and over.
The only answer was his voice, cold and merciless, from the other side.
"You won't admit it? Then let's find out what gives first. Your life, or your pride."
"The moment you confess and get on your knees to apologize to Roberta, I'll let you out."
I pounded on the door until my hands went numb. No one came.
The cold seeped in fast.
I slid to the floor, helpless, my body temperature dropping by the second.
I didn't know how long I'd been in there when the door finally opened.
I looked up. Roberta rushed in, face full of concern, reaching down to help me to my feet.
"Sweetie, are you okay? Come on, let's get you out of here! We need to get you to a hospital!"
I stared at the sincerity painted across her face, and something inside me split apart.