Diane sighed, shaking her head. “Your mother will not be here.” She stared down coldly, leaving Aiden shivering under a gaze not meant for him. “She’ll be trying to escape, because that’s the type of person she is.” Without another word of acknowledgement to He Bao’s existence, she walked away, motioning at Brendan to follow her. “Catch up when you’re ready,” she said to Aiden.
I wish she’d be kinder.The apathy in Diane’s voice only grew the pain Aiden felt for his stepbrother. He offered his hand to He Bao. “Let’s go look for her.”
Diane’s cruelty only enhanced the invisible vines tying He Bao’s feet to the ground. His stepbrother relaxed his whole weight against the wall. “I’m going to wait right here.” He turned away.
Zhu Zhu rolled her eyes. “Get up right now.” She yanked He Bao’s arm, but the boy remained a boulder.
Aiden continued to offer his hand. “I think it’s better if we look for her. The sooner she sees you, the more relieved she’ll be.”
He Bao looked his way.
I hope I’m right.The wish lodged into Aiden’s heart. He stood up with his arm outstretched.I really hope she’s looking for him.
He Bao slapped the hand away, but the invisible chains gradually loosened around his legs. The fury on his face dissipated. Unhappily, He Bao allowed Zhu Zhu to drag him away.
It was okay that he didn’t fully trust Aiden. Aiden gripped his hands together, watching a cloud of despair follow He Bao. More than anything, his heart broke at He Bao’s face, his eyes scrunched and his brows furrowed.She’s looking for him.Aiden tried to will it into existence.For He Bao’s sake, I’ll believe she’s looking for him.
“If I were to guess, she’d try to escape the way we came in. Easier to get in means easier to get out,” Diane said aloud once Aiden caught up. She climbed down the stairs to the first floor.
Brendan’s hand curled around his. He stared straight ahead, grasping back. “I hope Diane’s wrong.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “It’s hard. For Zhu Zhu and He Bao.” He glanced at his two stepsiblings trailing behind them. “I don’t want them hurt the way I’ve been.”
Brendan’s hand tightened. “You’re a better person than me.”
How is that possible?Brendan, who dived headfirst into dangerous territory. Brendan, who helped everyone feel heard and important. Brendan, who was so unafraid to say what his heart felt, no matter the circumstance.
A sly grin spread on Aiden’s face. He peered at Brendan. “What you said earlier…”
“Hmm?” Brendan kept his face straight, and Aiden almost laughed out loud at how transparently his embarrassment revealed itself in the obviously tightened skin.
“I’m not letting you take it back.”
The fluttering panic washed away from Brendan’s face. “Okay.”
“Will you two boys get your heads out of the clouds? We’re trying to catch a slippery fish!” Diane called from the bottom of the stairs.
Brendan jumped, dashing down the stairs without him. With laughter tumbling in his stomach, Aiden followed. They headed directly to the playroom. His heart soared.We probably won’t find her in the playroom.His breaths quickened.I bet she’s upstairs, looking for her children.
However, whatever hope existed vanished once he caught sight of his stepmother furiously working at the locked door. Shoving it in and out, shaking the doorknob left and right, she swiveled her head around and kicked hopelessly at the door. She noticed the electronic lock, and her fingers grappled with it stuck to the side. Cursing, she looked around again and saw the group staring at her.
“Ma?” He Bao asked with quivering lips. He pushed past all of them and stood before her. “What are you doing?”
“Oh, He Bao! Thank goodness you are ok!” She tried to fling herself at her son, but He Bao took a step back. She stopped in momentary surprise, but her wide eyes and open mouth were replaced with a shining smile. “I didn’t know if you were okay! I was worried about you and Zhu Zhu, but I can’t help you first if I don’t find us a way out. That’s why I was trying to get out of here.”
He Bao continued staring, but she gazed upon him with open arms.
The invisible chains Aiden watched He Bao loosen clamped back around his stepbrother’s limbs.
He Bao broke into a relieved grin, his shoulders slumping with a sigh. “I knew you weren’t trying to abandon us!”
“Of course not! Why would I?” Her voice turned stern. “Are these people trying to ruin the relationship between us?” She pointed at Aiden. “You are the enemy. I expected personal attacks, but I cannot believe you would go so low and make my son believe that I would ever abandon my own children.”
“Zhu Zhu, look, it’s ok. Ma was still thinking of us.” He Bao reached for her, but she hid behind Diane. “Zhu Zhu, what are you doing? You can’t believe them still, can you?”
“Zhu Zhu, do not let them take advantage of you,” Yin Mei coaxed. She lowered herself to the floor with her arms open, bowing her head low. Diane openly groaned, rolling her eyes, but Aiden remained silent, watching her theatrics.How far can she go?he wondered, though he knew the answer since she murdered his brother. Hui Ye’s own lessons reflected like a mirror in his stepmother. “I know I have been harsh on you, and that we will often fight, but you cannot think to take their words over mine, do you? I am your mother.”
