Jacob stared down at the bruising, disbelief and horror building rapidly in his chest as he took in the full extent of the damage — deep, mottled purple spreading across a significant portion of Megan's thigh, clearly the result of considerable, deliberate force rather than any accidental injury.
"Megan," he managed, his voice unsteady with shock, "what happened? Why didn't you tell me about this?"
Megan's eyes filled with tears, her hands twisting anxiously in the sheets as she struggled to find words adequate to the situation. "I didn't want to worry you while you were traveling," she said quietly, though the explanation felt incomplete even as she offered it.
Jacob leaned closer, his earlier shock hardening rapidly into focused, controlled anger. "Megan, who did this to you?"