Chapter 56
Contains spoilersOverview
Polly acknowledges Tegan’s serious infection and potential blood clot but refuses to involve a hospital, fearing exposure and prison. She lies to Hank about Tegan’s condition, accepts the risk to both mother and baby, and resolves to obtain antibiotics herself once Hank leaves. Hank’s uneasy goodbye underscores their growing rift.
Summary
From Polly’s perspective, she blames Tegan for the worsening leg wound, insisting that Tegan’s refusal to remove the boot caused the infection. She derides Tegan’s ability to mother and fixates on protecting the unborn baby.
Polly assesses the situation: Tegan is febrile with an active infection and may have a blood clot due to immobility and the fracture. Believing both Tegan and the baby could die without intervention, she considers an emergency C-section only as a last resort and decides she must quickly secure medication.
Over a tense breakfast, Hank eats in silence, then asks about Tegan. Polly lies that she already fed Tegan and claims Tegan is fine, concealing the infection because she fears Hank would insist on a hospital, risking their arrest. Polly notes that her threat of suicide is the leverage preventing Hank from calling for help.
As Hank leaves for work, he tells Polly he loves her. Polly replies that she is doing this for them and watches him drive away, ensuring he is gone before acting. With Hank absent, Polly intends to secretly obtain antibiotics, determined to keep control of the situation and safeguard the baby without outside involvement.
Who Appears
- Polly
Captor and POV; acknowledges Tegan’s infection, rejects hospital, lies to Hank, and plans to secretly obtain antibiotics once he leaves.
- Hank
Polly’s husband; subdued at breakfast, questions Tegan’s condition, professes love, then leaves for work, unaware Polly plans to act.
- Tegan
Pregnant captive; offscreen but gravely ill with an infected leg, central to Polly’s plan to save the baby without exposure.