I eat my breakfast because she tells me the therapist Santiago hired is already here, but I’ll only be allowed to see him if I eat. I will add blackmail to Santiago’s crimes against me. I wonder if it was Mercedes who did it. Who got him to call someone. The look on her face when she got me into the bathroom and saw the bruises was one of shock. She asked me if her brother had done it. Her voice had sounded strange. I didn’t answer her. I let her have a good look instead and come up with her own answers. He’s a monster. But so is she. A moment of softness won’t dispel what I know. She is an ice queen.

“I’m ready,” I say to Antonia when I finish the last bite of toast. I wipe my mouth with the napkin, anxious to get out of my prison.

She smiles, pleased at the empty plate. “I’ll send someone in to clean this up. Let’s go see Dr. Hendrickson.”

I nod and follow her out, almost bouncing on my heels. I’m so excited to be free. I never want to enter that room again.

My balance is off, and I have to be more careful than usual on the stairs, so I don’t let go of the banister. Antonia leads me to a room I’ve not been in before. It’s large and sparsely furnished and, most importantly, it’s bright. Sunlight pours in from the clear-glass windows.

“Oh,” I start, my spirits lifting already at the brightness. I don’t even see the man sitting on the couch until he clears his throat, and I hear the sound of a cup placed on its saucer.

I turn to him, that smile fading. I don’t know this man, and the last IVI doctor I dealt with, Dr. Chambers, left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

“Good morning,” he says, smiling warmly and coming toward me. He’s middle-aged and dressed impeccably in an expensive suit. He’s wearing a gold wedding band, and I can see a Rolex watch peeking out from beneath his sleeve when he extends his arm once he’s a few feet from me. “I’m Dr. Hendrickson. You must be Ivy.”

I look at his hand in surprise. He's offering it to shake mine like we’re equals.

“Ivy,” Antonia urges when an awkward moment passes.

“Oh. Sorry. Yes. I’m Ivy,” I say, shaking his hand. What have those weeks in my prison done to me? Have I already forgotten how to be normal?

The doctor momentarily focuses on my right eye but then smiles at me. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Can I bring you more coffee, Doctor?”

“Oh, no thank you, Antonia,” he says, eyes still on me. “I’d like to get started.”

“All right. Ivy, can I bring you something?”