With Beni’s help, she stood on shaky, weak legs. Her body didn’t feel like her own. She’d lost all her strength.
“Let’s check on Manon,” she said. “Can you help me walk?”
“Yes.” Beni linked his arm through hers.
Scarlett glanced at her bedroom door, her chest tightening as she imagined her stepmother walking in and forcing her back to sleep. With one hand, she grasped the stand that still held her bag of urine and held on to Beni with the other. The catheter stand had wheels, so she was able to use it for support as Beni walked her to the dressing room. He flipped on the light, and Scarlett was flooded with relief as she spotted Brayden in the mirror, with Lachlan beside him.
Brayden scrambled closer to the mirror. “Scarlett! Are you okay?” He had dark circles under his eyes and looked exhausted.
Scarlett had never been so happy to see him, and she smiled as tears sprang to her eyes.
“I feel like shit, but I’m alive.”The last time we spoke wasn’t the last time I’ll see you in this life.She laughed—from sheer joy—and it sounded slightly hysterical to her own ears.
“Alive is all that matters,” said Brayden as he examined her from head to toe. “We can fix everything else.”
Lachlan came forward to stand just behind Brayden. “Thank heavens you’re awake, Scarlett.”
Beni eased her into an armchair. “Talk to them while I get Manon.” He inclined his head to Brayden and Lachlan as he passed the mirror on his way to Manon’s bedroom.
Scarlett wanted to see her grandmother, but her legs were so unsteady she was relieved to be sitting down. Her body wasfrail.
How can I do what needs to be done when I’m soweak?
She looked past Beni to Manon’s bed and was relieved to see her grandmother stirring, although she wasn’t yet sitting upright.
Scarlett turned her attention back to Brayden and Lachlan. “I don’t remember things clearly, but I think someone may have drugged me on the street when I went to the courts. I somehow ended up back here, which makes no sense.”
Brayden’s eyes were overly bright. “You need to get out of there—right now.”
“If I were stronger, I’d go down there and…” Her rage and frustration boiled over, and she let out an actual growl.
“It’s going to be all right,” said Lachlan. “Save the revenge for later. We’ve helped Beni concoct a plan.”
Beni pushed Manon through the doorway. She was in the wheelchair Beni had used after breaking his leg skateboarding last year. It was smaller than an adult wheelchair, but it worked nicely for her slight frame.
“Are we making a mad dash for it?” she asked in a hoarse voice.
Scarlett’s shoulders sagged with relief at the sight of her grandmother. “Thank the Goddess you’re all right.”
“I found this for you, Scarlett.” Beni held up the cane from their father’s knee surgery several years ago. “Charlie has the boat ready, and he said he can carry Manon and Scarlettdownstairs one at a time.”
“I wasn’t thrilled about involving your driver, but Beni swears the man is like family,” said Lachlan.
“He is,” said Manon. “We can trust him. He’s been with the Heroux family for thirty years, and he loves Scarlett and Beni.”
“Good.” Lachlan sounded slightly mollified.
“Where should we go?” asked Scarlett, her eyes on Brayden.
“Clair de Lune.” Brayden took a step closer to the mirror. “Come here.”
“Yes, please come here,” echoed Lachlan.
Manon’s golden eyes flickered. “Going home sounds great right about now.”
Scarlett’s eyes went wide.We’re going to Clair de Lune.After all these years,thiswas how she was leaving Soleil.
Beni started pulling clothes out of Manon’s wardrobe and throwing them onto her lap. “I prepared for international travel. Your passports and your folder of important papers are already packed. And so are mine.” He closed the wardrobe door and looked from Manon to Scarlett. “I’m coming with you,” he said, his expression haunted.
