Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Ariana
I couldn’t even manage to pull myself into bed. It hurt too much to move. Instead, I remained curled up in a ball on the floor, a part of me wishing this guy would just come back and put me out of my misery.
God, what did I get myself into? I should have listened to Henry. Shouldn’t have insisted on putting my life at risk.
What choice did I have, though? This was the only way.
Henry needed closure. Needed to find Sarah.
He might never have been able to if I hadn’t done this.
But was Sarah even here?
The idea she might not be made me sick, and I curled farther into myself, wishing I was back in Henry’s bed. In his arms. In his life. I feared that was no longer possible.
“I’m sorry, Henry,” I choked out. “So fucking sorry.”
“Don’t do that,” a voice cut through, followed by a knock.
I stiffened, holding my breath for several protracted moments.
Did I imagine it? Was I already losing my mind?
“Do what?” I asked hesitantly.
“Feel sorry for yourself. You need to hold on to your strength. Now more than ever.”
I pulled my legs closer, wincing through the permanent burn on my skin.
“Did he brand you?” she asked after a brief pause.
“Yeah.”
“Run some cool water over it. He probably has you chained, but you’ll have enough give to reach your bathroom.
Cool water will help. Not ice cold. But it’ll help soothe it.
As much as you won’t want to, sleep without your nightgown on for the next few days.
It’ll prevent any irritation. And no matter what you do, don’t pop any of the blisters, even if they itch like crazy. It’ll only make it worse.”
“Thanks,” I offered softly. “Although I doubt I’ll sleep much here.”
“You should try. You need your strength.”
I swallowed hard. “For what?”
She didn’t respond right away, the silence heavy.
“For him,” she finally uttered with venom in her tone.
I wanted to ask more questions. Wanted to ask how long she’d been here. What he’d done to her.
At the same time, I didn’t think I could handle it. Not if the things he’d done to me tonight were any indication. And it was only the first day. I could only imagine it would get so much worse.
“Where are you from?” she asked, her voice cutting through my thoughts.
“I’m not sure,” I said around a long sigh. “I haven’t felt like I’ve had a home in years. Not until…” I trailed off, my throat closing up.
“People can be home, too,” she whispered.
“Yes, they can.” I squeezed my eyes shut, wondering if I’d ever see Henry again.
But I quickly silenced the thought, taking a page out of her book and remaining positive.
I was stronger than this. I’d survived ten years of hell married to Victor.
I could survive this, too. I’d refused to let Victor break me.
I wouldn’t let Father break me either. I would become the warrior I was in Henry’s eyes.
Find a way out of here. Find a way home.
To Henry.
“What about you?” I asked. “Where are you from?”
“All over, really. I like to consider myself a citizen of the world. Or, I used to,” she added, her voice falling. “What’s your name?”
“He calls me Seraphine.”
“Fuck what he calls you. What’s your real name?”
“Ariana.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ariana. I’m Sarah.”
“Sarah?” I bolted upright, grimacing from the pain. “Are you Sarah Laurendeau?”
“I am…,” she drew out.
“Your father’s looking for you,” I explained excitedly, relief filling me that she was still alive.
“I doubt that,” she said sadly. “No one’s looking for me. He showed me the reports. The world thinks I committed suicide.”
“Your father didn’t believe it. He saw how happy and full of life you were. So Henry—”
“Wait. My father’s name isn’t Henry. It’s Gregory.”
I snapped my mouth shut, cursing myself for not thinking this through. I knew Sarah was adopted. I was just so relieved she was alive. That this wasn’t all for nothing.
At least I hoped it wasn’t all for nothing.
“You’re talking about my birth father, aren’t you?” she asked softly.
“I am. Since he learned what happened to you, he hasn’t stopped searching for the truth,” I explained. “It’s why I’m here.”
“What do you mean?”
“My husband was Victor Kane.”
“Of course,” she breathed. “Ariana Kane.”
“Well, being his wife didn’t exactly protect me or anything. He still sold me. Henry hoped to use me as a sort of Trojan horse.” I reached behind my head, toying with the spot where the tracker once was. “But that plan backfired.”
A moment of silence passed as I stared straight ahead, worry and fear overtaking me yet again. But I couldn’t wallow in it. If anyone would find me, it was Henry.
“What’s he like?”
“Who? Victor? An asshole.”
“No. Not Victor. Henry. My…father.”
“Oh.”
I leaned against the wall, trying to find a way to describe Henry Fontaine. I wasn’t sure there were adequate words in the English language, but I’d try. Sarah deserved to know about her father in case this was the only opportunity I had to tell her.
“Passionate. Determined. Stubborn. Smart. Fiercely loyal. If anyone tries to hurt someone he cares about, there’s nothing he won’t do to make them pay.”
I extended my legs in front of me, my heart warming as memories of Henry flashed before my eyes.
From that first meeting in the art museum.
To seeing him emerge from the shadows of the forest in Maine.
To patching him up after he fell down the ravine.
To the look of absolute fury when I showed him my scars.
To our early morning walks through his property in Georgia as he tried to convince me he was a good person.
To telling him I trusted him. To telling him I loved him.
“What else?” Sarah prodded.
“Hard to read at first. It takes a bit to crack through his tough outer shell, but once you do, it’s like magic.”
“You… You love him, don’t you?”
“With all my heart,” I choked out.
“Do you think he’ll find us?” Sarah asked, her own voice quivering.
I couldn’t imagine how difficult it must have been for her to remain so strong for so long in this hell. I’d only been here a matter of hours, and I was already on the verge of breaking. But Sarah had been here for over six months.
Six months of mind games.
Six months of torture.
Six months of wondering if she’d ever be free.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “But I do know he won’t give up. Won’t stop until he’s searched every corner of the world.”
“I guess it’s better than nothing,” she said with a sigh.
“Guess so.” I leaned my head back, my eyes growing heavier by the second.
“Ariana?” Sarah said, breaking through the haze.
“Yes?”
“As much as it sucks, I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad I’m here, too.”