(Jasmine's POV)

I wake up with a pounding headache. My throat is tender, and I can feel dried tear stains on my cheeks.

I open my eyes to find the lights have been switched off in the room. There's a soft glow of the sun around the edge of the blinds on the window of my hospital room and I instantly know its morning. I glance around the room before I see the silhouette of a man standing beside the door.

He's found me!

My heart monitor jumps to life as I clutch the bedsheet tightly, my knuckles turning white. My breath catches in my throat and I feel pain through every inch of my body. My pain medication seems to be wearing off, but I know that that's the least of my worries. The beating Greg is about to give me will make the pain I'm in now feel like nothing.

I open my mouth to ask how he found me, but he beats me to it.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

I let out a huge sigh of relief as Dad's voice fills the dark room. Tears fill my eyes as I realise that Greg hasn't found me.

I'm safe, I tell myself. He hasn't found me. I'm safe.

"Jasmine?" Dad asks, concern in his voice. "What's wrong?" I see him moving towards me, his face turned towards the heart monitor that is still matching the racing of my heartbeat.

"I'm ok," I tell him as I swallow my cries. "You just startled me."

Dad pauses at the end of my bed before he moves towards the window and opens the blinds. The golden light of the sunrise fills the room.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He repeats as he stands looking out the window, his back to me.

I let Dad's words wash over me and for the first time since I left, I allow myself to truthfully think why I didn't tell him. "I was scared," I finally admit.

"Scared of what, Jas?" He asks, whirling around to face me.

I look down at my hands that are now resting in my lap. "Scared of what you'd think of me. Scared that you'd think I had disappointed you. Scared of what you'd say. And," I pause as I swallow the large lump in my throat. "Scared of what he'd do if he found out."

"Jasmine," Dad cries before rushing towards me and sitting right at my side. He reaches out cups my cheek before wiping away a tear I hadn't realised had slid down my cheek.

I'm shocked to see his eyes full of tears. I've never seen Dad break, never seen him let his tough exterior waiver.

"You don't ever have to worry about what I'll think of you. I couldn't think anything but the best when it comes to you. You're the most precious thing in my life."

I give Dad a weak smile. "I should have told you."

He smiles back sadly as tears stream down his cheeks. He wipes his face before continuing. "Jasmine," he starts, and I hear the difference in his voice. I already know what he's going to say and it's something that I've been dreading.

"I will."

"You don't even know what I'm about to say."

"I do," I tell him. "You want me to report Greg to the police." I pause before I continue knowing that there's no going back once I tell Dad my plans. "I've been thinking it over. I'm terrified he'll find me, and I know the only chance of stopping that from happening is by reporting him and protecting myself from him. I'm terrified to do it, but I'm even more terrified of him finding me."

Dad doesn't say anything and instead pulls me in for a hug again. I rest my head on his shoulder and bite back the tears that are threatening to fall.

"I'll make a call to the station now. I'll ask Margaret to come down and speak to you." Dad stands and gives me a kiss on my forehead. "I'll be right back."

"Dad, wait," I say, and he instantly stops.

"I won't be long, I promise."

"No, it's not that. It's just-" I pause again, wondering if I'm making the right decision. "Can you make sure Matt doesn't get involved?"

"Matt? Ruby's brother?"

"Yeah. He was furious yesterday and I don't want him getting involved."

Dad smiles knowingly at me before nodding his head. "I'll talk to the Chief and ask him to revoke Matt's privileges for your case."

"Thank you," I say truthfully.

Dad nods his head before stepping outside the room.

I let out a breath that I didn't realise I was holding. After speaking to Matt yesterday, I knew that he couldn't be involved with investigating Greg. Seeing Matt's reaction to my condition yesterday, I know that he will want to make Greg pay for his actions, but also there are things that Greg done to me that I don't want Matt to find out. I don't want him to see the pictures or the videos that Greg took of me. I don't want him to discover the extremes that Greg went to. Perhaps someday I'll tell Matt everything that happened, but if I do, it will be in my own time.

Dad returns to the room several minutes later and je gives me a sad smile as he closes the door. "Margaret is out on a call. The Chief will send her down to speak to you the minute she's back. He's also assured me that neither Matt nor Ryan will be involved in the case."

I let out a soft sigh of relief at this news. "Thank you, Dad."

"No problem, sweetheart. As you'll understand, I won't be involved in the case either."

I nod my head in understanding.

A soft knock on the door has us both turning to face it just in time to see the doctor walking into the room.

Doctor Carter smiles warmly at me and I do my best to mirror his actions before he turns to face my Dad.

"Hello," he says in a kind voice, reaching out his hand towards Dad. "I'm Doctor Carter, Jasmine's Doctor."

"Oh!" Dad jumps to his feet and shakes the Doctor's hand. "I'm Charlie; Jasmine's Dad. Thank you so much for looking after my daughter."

"Not at all, Charlie." He turns to smile at me once more. "I'm just here to check in with you Jasmine to see how you're recovering."

I swallow nervously but nod my head. Dad reaches out and gently squeezes my hand reassuringly.

"How are you feeling?" He asks when I don't volunteer any information.

"Sore," I tell him honestly.

"Anywhere in particular?"

"Not really. The pain is kind of everywhere." I glance down at my lap as tears fill my eyes in shame for admitting to how I'm really feeling. Dad sits in silence beside me and I know this is difficult for him too.

"Jasmine?" Doctor Carter calls.

Reluctantly, I raise my head to meet his eyes.

"It is perfectly ok that you're in pain. You've been through a lot. Do not feel like you need to hide your pain from a single member of the team within this hospital. We're all here to help you and the only way we can do that is if you tell us how you're doing. Of course, I'm not happy to hear that you're in pain, but I'm so glad you feel comfortable enough to tell me."

I nod my head once more and raise my free hand to wipe away the stray tears that have fallen down my cheeks.

"T-" I clear my throat. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me. Now, regarding your pain, I'm going to give you something that will help with that. Any dizziness?"

"No," I respond.

"Nausea?"

"No."

"That's good to hear." He smiles at me once more and it's comforting to see that it reaches his eyes. "A nurse will be along in a few minutes with your breakfast. I know it will probably be difficult, but it is very important that you finish all the food she gives you."

I nod my head, confused as to why I'd find it difficult to eat. I must not have masked my confusion well enough as the doctor answers my unspoken words.

"Jasmine, you are severely malnourished and as a result it is essential that we begin you on a path back to a healthy weight."

"Ok," I say, still unsure why I'd struggle to eat.

"Your body may try to reject food during the initial stages of the plan and therefore you might find it difficult to continue"

"Oh," I say softly. "I didn't realise things were that bad."

"It is nothing we cannot help you with and certainly nothing you can't overcome."

"Is there anything I can do?" Dad asks. "I will do whatever I can to help Jasmine with her recovery."

Doctor Carter smiles at Dad. "What Jasmine needs from you is support, reassurance and somewhere she can feel safe. You will need to encourage her to follows the plan we give her, both relating to her diet and her physical recovery."

Dad nods his head eagerly. "That won't be a problem." He turns to smile at me. "Getting Jasmine back to full health is my number one priority."

Satisfied with Dad's response, Doctor Carter nods his head. "I will let you leave you two. I will be back in a couple of hours to check in again."

Less than five minutes later there's another knock on the door. "Come in," I call my heart automatically racing in fear.

A large, curly haired middle-aged woman in a white nurse's uniform appears in the doorway carrying a tray. Her face lights up with a smile when her eyes land on me.

"I'm so glad to see you awake," She beams at me. "I'm Sophie. I'll be looking after you while you're here with us."

"Hi," I say with a small smile. I like her. She's so motherly. Something that I've missed out on since my own mother passed away.

Sophie places the tray of food on the table before wheeling it over to my bed. "How are you feeling, dear?"

"A bit sore," I tell her honestly as I reach towards the fruit bowl she places in front of me. "Thank you."

"My pleasure." Her eyes move over to Dad who is still seated beside me. "Can I get you anything? A coffee?"

"No, thank you." He smiles back at her and I know instantly he likes her too. "I'm Charlie, Jasmine's father."

"Lovely to meet you." Sophie makes her way back towards the door but turns back to face me in the doorway. "I'll be back soon to take away your empty tray. Enjoy your breakfast, Jasmine dear."