POV of Mathilda

I stopped in front of the door of the room where Paula was being treated. I felt scared and reluctant to face that woman.

“Why?” Fredric asked.

“I feel… I don’t want to go in and see Paula. You can go meet her, Fredric. I’ll wait here.”

“Let’s go, Mr. Fredric.”

The man standing by the door looked at us and turned toward the door as he opened it. And when he wasn’t paying attention, Fredric quickly and firmly grabbed my hand.

They didn’t give me any chance to stay behind; he practically dragged me into Paula’s room. And what I feared actually happened—Paula’s expression changed drastically when she saw me enter with Fredric.

“Well, I told Dave I only needed Fredric. Not some woman coming in with you or anyone else. Didn’t you say that, Dave?” Paula scolded Dave right in front of us.

Seeing that, I immediately released Fredric’s hand and said, “I’m leaving.”

“No, Mathilda. I said don’t go!”

Silence fell. I stopped and stared at Paula, who seemed stunned by the sound of F