Chapter 28
The butler opens the door with a solemn nod. That should have been my first warning sign. In this house, Thomas is the only one whose facial muscles know how to pull off a smile.
Kaden puts his hand on my back, reassuring me, but the flurry of jitters is uncontrollable. It’s just a Friday dinner with Grandmother, nothing else.
“My dears,” Grandmother greets us.
I curtsy, and we all pay respect to the matriarch by kissing her hand before we take our seats. My gaze sweeps to Celine. If by protecting the ones you love, you hurt them even worse, I doubt it’s worth it in the end. We are all in tatters, some more than others.
My thoughts conjure images of Dane. My chest cracks with guilt, filling with longing, but when you have lived through what I have, not even the love of your life can make you change your mind. But my weak heart, starved for his love and attention, is not on board with my plan of staying away. I wish to tell him just to see if we could heal together, but my hopes are fickle and tenuous.
Grandmother fixes her gaze on me, and Kaden squeezes my thigh to pay attention. My thoughts still run free while I try to catch them.
As I look at Kaden and Celine, both looking lost, I wonder if there are some things you can’t overcome. Both Kaden and I made decisions that affected our loved ones. By protecting them, we hurt them worse. Yes, we sacrificed ourselves for their freedom and lives. But by doing that, we gave them reasons to hate us. Were we in the right, though, making the decisions for them in the first place? Kaden and I didn’t know better then; we don’t know better now.
Grandmother arranges her pearl necklace. “We should announce your engagement,” she says, looking straight at Kaden and me.
Breathe, Abigail. Just keep breathing.
“We can’t wait. We’re ready to make our relationship official.” I force the words to sound cheerful. Kaden and I exchange a quick glance.
He leans in to kiss me on the cheek. “We have waited long enough as it is.”
“Kaden.” I pretend to shove his hand away as if he touched me inappropriately.
“I can’t control myself. I apologize, Grandmother,” he says.
It’s a wonder none of us start throwing up. But Grandmother looks pleased. Crisis averted.
I can’t look at Celine right now, but I hope she masks her feelings. I hope this night ends so I can fall apart in peace. But for now, I have to act.
“Celine, you’re going to stay the weekend at the estate,” Grandmother tells her.
“Of course, and tomorrow you can meet Hunter at the gala.”
My hopes are butchered the next moment. I forgot about the damn charity gala. Kaden sends me an intent look. I dig my nails into his thigh just to make my point clear, but he doesn’t budge—the things I do for my best friend.
If we stay here, the chances of seeing Dane are slim.
“Can we stay the weekend here as well? I would like to talk to you more about our engagement.” Saying that saccharine bullshit might give me cavities. The stress of tonight surely will cause me an ulcer.
“Of course,” Grandmother says.
Kaden kisses my temple, thanking me as I sip from a glass of wine, and I whisper, “Your love for her will be our downfall.” But it falls on deaf ears. I am the same so I can’t even fault him.
Engagement.
I’m pulled from my depressing thoughts when Grandmother shifts her attention to Celine, and the tension chokes the air from the room. “Tell me.”
Here it comes, the confirmation that Grandmother asked her to be her eyes. It seems that’s all we have been doing since she returned, study the other, giving each other ammunition, yet none of us has used it against the other. I hold in a breath as Celine looks from each of us back to Grandmother with an innocent expression. She’s pretending so well, I’m proud of her.
“Bailey is the most level-headed among them. Blake has potential, but his reckless behavior puts a strain on that. Abigail is your copy. You should be proud. Together with Kaden, they will bring this family to new heights.”
Yes, whatever. I am so over this bullshit, and this family, and this legacy.
“But his arrogance is a problem,” Celine adds. Her tone is not harsh, yet anger and hurt battle in her eyes. Then she blinks, and it’s gone.
Oh, Celine, we love arrogant guys—another thing we have in common. I wish I could hug her, and we could gossip and giggle about our men—a fantasy.
“Why did you say that about Bailey?”
Grandmother looks at Bailey intently but not with the usual apathy. I can’t believe Celine put her on display like that.
“Bailey is quiet, unassuming. The weapon no one would see coming.”
“Bailey.”
“Yes, Grandmother?”
“Stay the weekend as well.”
I watch the grandfather clock. It ticks and ticks toward my doom day. Moments like this one show me I can’t change anything. Maybe if I accept my destiny, the struggle will end. The thought only makes me more miserable.
When we say goodbye, Grandmother says, “I know you kids already live together. You have my blessing to do the same here.”
“Thank you so much. It’s hard being apart, even for a night,” I say. Even to my ears, that rang a bit more cheerfully than I had planned. It is a testament to the fact that I have to leave now before I have a complete breakdown.
“I won’t mind if you make me a great-grandmother,” Grandmother says.
I look at Celine and Kaden, remembering the whole drama with the morning-after pill Kaden wanted Celine to take.
“Oh, Grandmother, we’re too young. We haven’t even finished college yet,” I say. You have the wrong girl. If someone is going to be the mother of his children, it’s going to be Celine or no one.
“Wedding next year, then children right after you finish college.”
Every muscle in my body tenses. That was an order.
“Of course,” Kaden and I parrot at the same time, being dutiful little soldiers.
Grandmother finally excuses us, and Kaden and I dart out of the house together.
I can’t seem to get a grip on my emotions or my body as we approach my car. I shake badly, needing a few tries to start the engine.
“Abi, pull yourself together. Meet me at my place.”
I nod, the first tears falling as I follow him in my car to his childhood home.
Inside the foyer, he switches the light on. I’m right behind him, and he closes the door.
“Kaden… I… that…” I can’t marry him, and even less have his baby. If I can’t have those with the man I love, I refuse to have those with anyone else.
“We’ll find a way.” He reassures me.
Inside the living room, I drop on the couch, my legs unable to carry me a moment longer. Kaden goes to the bar and comes with two glasses and a bottle of whiskey.
“He… I mean…”
“By the end of this year, we’ll be somewhere else.”
“Promise?”
“I swear.”
“What if—?”
“Celine can’t be pregnant. She just can’t.”
“You hurt her…”
“I would hurt her time and time again to keep her alive.”
I empty my glass and stand up. “Sometimes being dead hurts less, Kaden. There is a fine line.”
I squeeze his shoulder and go to his bedroom, continuing to act.
But sleep doesn’t find me. Giving up the pretense, I hear something from downstairs and walk toward the sound. Kaden is in Felix’s office, taking something from the safe.
“What are you doing?”
He shuts the door and says, “I tried in vain to get access to his fucking safe, but all I had to do was ask him about the family ring so I can ask you to marry me and he told me the combination.”
“We’re doing this, huh?”
“Abi, we can’t afford to raise their suspicions. I’m trying to get us out, but I have to be one hundred percent sure we can pull this off.”
I doubt he can be. I doubt we can escape, but it was that hope that gave me the will to wake up every morning.
He flicks the lid open, revealing the round diamond ring on a diamond white band.
“Celine loves this ring. She always said it was going to be hers.”
“It’s tainted. I would never offer her this piece.”
I approach it. “When?”
“Tomorrow.”
Tomorrow. He hands me the box, and I take it.
The implications drag me down, shackling me to a cruel reality.
***
With tonight’s event looming over my head, I have to get out of here. I go for a long walk, ending up in the rose garden. Roses have always fascinated me. They’re beautiful with their delicate, soft petals, but prickly thorns stick out from the stems. Everything worth having doesn’t come without a struggle.
Time is not in my favor; it has never been on my and Dane’s side. Thinking of him butchers my heart.
I walk down the hill, to my childhood home, passing Celine’s.
I see her staring out the window. Her face scrunches up in that combination of anger and pain I hate seeing on her. I would like to apologize in advance, but she pulls the curtains, shutting the world out.
Inside, I climb the stairs to my old bedroom. The staff cleans this house even though neither I nor my parents are often here. My white and pink bedroom has been unchanged since my childhood. I walk into my walk-in closet, picking up a pale pink spaghetti strap, draped ruched dress with a thigh slit.
I slip on my sandals and take a few diamond bracelets to cover my wrist.
Prim, proper, elegant for the gala. On the inside, there’s an entirely different scenario.
My hair flows down my back, straightened to perfection, and I dab a bit of lipstick and some blush on before putting the ring on my finger. It doesn’t feel right.
I park in front of Grandmother’s mansion but can’t get my feet to carry me out. A tap on my window has me tipping my chin up. Kaden is there, offering me strength. Opening the car door, I loop my arm around his.
Thomas greets us at the front door, letting us in and leading us toward the dining room that has been transformed into a spectacular ballroom. We’re the first of the Family to arrive.
Men and women of various ages wearing black and white uniforms carry trays of hors d’oeuvres and bubbly champagne. In the corner, a band plays classical music. Grandmother steps inside, and we greet her with a curtsy and a kiss on her hand.
“You two look lovely.”
“Thank you,” we both say.
Blake and Bailey appear next, looking spectacular: he in a tailored black tux and she in a fitted strapless green dress with a high slit, her hair styled in big curls flowing down her back. After they pay their respects, they take their places beside us.
Our parents come in next. After we greet them, we retire to a corner when Celine, Mia, and Hunter enter.
When all guests have arrived, the ballroom brims with people. The men wear elegant tuxedos, and the women are clad in glamorous dresses and dripping with jewelry. All the clinking glasses, vapid conversations, and fake laughter grate on my nerves. The plastered smiles and small talk continue, taking from the wonderful, soothing music.
My attention shifts to Mia, who smiles sweetly at Felix.
I hope it’s fake. He doesn’t deserve that, but I see her quickly extracting something from his pocket. I blink to make sure I didn’t imagine that when I exchange a glance with Kaden.
“Did you see that?” I ask.
“They’re planning something.”
Fucking perfect.
“If Felix notices something is missing, we’re all screwed.”
He nods, and taps his champagne glass, gathering all attention.
Here it comes. I drag in a lungful of air to fortify myself.
Kaden opens his mouth and lifts my hand with the ring.
“My lovely girlfriend and best friend decided to make me the happiest man by agreeing to marry me.”
I pretend to be all enamored and happy about his proposal while screaming on the inside. Celine must possess a strength I never could. If the roles were reversed, I would not only scream murder but entertain it.
“Congratulations.” Blake raises his glass, eyeing and pinning us with a look to keep our poker faces on.
I tighten my hand around the glass, and we clink them to a toast.
“We’ll find a way,” Bailey whispers.
I watch Celine rushing out of the ballroom, followed by Mia and Hunter, while Kaden’s jaw might crack at any moment if the congratulations don’t end soon.
Only Mia returns, and Kaden notices that too.
“I have to see what they’re up to,” he says.
“Go, I have this.”
Mia takes another flute, talking to someone behind the glass.
These three idiots are going to get us all killed. She places it down on a passing tray after not even sipping from the glass and walks over to Felix again. I watch her stealthily steal his phone.
I act before I can think, and with my most fake smile, I approach Felix. I would like nothing more than to slit his throat.
“My lovely future daughter-in-law looking as spectacular as ever.”
I throw up a bit in my mouth at this snake, pretending so damn well.
“Thank you. That’s kind of you.”
He looks at my wrist and says, “I should have had my emotions in check. Before the big day, I want you to have surgery to get it removed.”
I would never do that, but I force my head to dip in agreement. Both the D and the flames will remain on my skin for the rest of my life.
I see Bailey on her phone, her hands flying over the screen. I try to catch Blake’s attention to see if he knows what is happening, but his father presents him to everyone like he’s the main event of tonight.
“I hope now with my family’s ring on your finger you won’t think of doing something inappropriate again.”
Felix knows Dane’s here. My heart beats so loud I’m afraid he can hear it.
“The Family has my complete loyalty.”
“Good.”
He sips from his drink, and from his expression, I know he’s getting restless, but I can’t have him looking for his phone. Mia returns, and he leers at her, looking from her to me as if not knowing who to pick. A shudder travels down my back, but I smile in his face. From the corner of my eye, I see Mia slipping his phone back. I watch her intently, letting her know I’m aware of what she did.
When Celine, Kaden, and Hunter return, I let out a sigh of relief. Celine slips the key card into Mia’s hand, who returns it to its owner. Not even a moment later, Felix’s phone rings. I have so many questions, but this is not the moment for that. All of us stand in a circle, silent accusations and building tension stretching.
When Felix returns, he says, “A word with you all. Your house is on fire. Initial investigations suspect it may have been arson.”
“Oh my god,” I shriek.
Celine looks right at Kaden, and he shows no reaction, which sets off even more alarm bells in my head.
“Do you have any idea who could have done this?” Felix asks.
Neither of us says anything, and I swallow the lump lodged in my throat. No, I am paranoid. Dane is not behind the fire.
“Don’t worry, I already sent a crew,” Felix says.
“Where will we stay now?” I ask.
“You can come live with us,” Mia suggests.
“We could all stay with them,” Celine offers.
Felix’s brows furrow. “I don’t like the idea.”
I don’t like the idea either, but we have to know what these three are up to.
“Father, with all due respect, we need a place to stay until our house is renovated. Their house is a suitable alternative,” Kaden says.
A vein might pop in Felix’s neck. It gives me incredible joy.
“Fine, but you’ll move right back in after the renovations.”
Kaden dips his chin in a nod, pushing his hands into his pockets.
When Felix leaves, I open my mouth to get my answers, but then Kaden pulls me to his side.
“We’re being watched. Not here.”
I freeze, nodding while terror knots my limbs.
When Celine, Mia, and Hunter leave, we say our goodbyes as well and get into our cars.
We have one more night here, and then we can leave only to move in with them. I still don’t know if they are enemies or potential friends.
Our group moves into Kaden’s childhood home for the night.
“Okay, what happened in there?” I ask once we’re in the living room.
“I followed Celine and Hunter as they sneaked into the underground tunnel.”
“There’s an underground tunnel? How come we don’t know that?” Bailey says, face paling.
Blake goes to the bar and fills a glass with whiskey.
“It’s irrelevant now because we found out something worse. Felix has eyes everywhere. Our house has been constantly monitored, and I had to do something about that.”
“Kaden, what did you do?” I ask.
Bailey shows me a live feed of our house being hosed down with the help of firefighters. So someone set our house on fire. Intentionally.
“I told Dane something.”
I march in his face. “And you decided this behind my back. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
I have to go to Dane and see for myself that he’s fine when I know with everything in me that he’s not.
“We needed to get out of that house where we are being watched constantly,” Kaden says.
“There would have been another way.”
“There wasn’t.”
“And now what?” I ask, pacing around, unable to sit still until I know that Dane is okay.
“Now, we’re moving in with Hunter and Mia. I need to know what they’re planning.”
“You should care more about our escape plan. But let’s be honest, that’s secondary now. All you have done since Celine came back is try to find a way back to her.”
Kaden has the decency to keep his mouth shut.
“I have to find Dane.”
“I transferred ten million. This should help us in the beginning,” Bailey says.
“What we need is a damn miracle. Because we still can’t vanish; I still haven’t found anyone reliable to get us new identities,” Blake says.
“I don’t see you trying harder either,” I snap.
“I’m in this for the long haul, and you with your soft hearts will bring us all down,” he says and storms out.
Kaden looks at me and says, “You got yourself a mad one. I might even like Dane if he weren’t a loose cannon.”
I huff and leave as well.