I laugh, but it’s not really a laugh. More like something breaking in half.
“But even when someone finally did say something, I just bounced around in the system. Daniel and my mom would always convince them to let me come home.”
Maeve’s hand finds mine again, no words needed. Just warmth.
“And I started thinking… maybe I wasn’t worth saving.”
I finally look at her. “But you never treated me like I was nothing. You made me realize that I could be more.”
Maeve’s throat works like she’s trying not to cry. “You’ve just been surrounded by people who didn’t deserve you.”
I blink hard. “Do you think I’ll ever stop feeling like I’m still in that house?”
“I think so,” Maeve gives me a small smile. “Maybe not right away. But you will.”
Her eyes fill with unshed tears. “Someday you’ll stop expecting the floor to collapse from out under your feet.”
I close my eyes and press my forehead to her shoulder. Just for a second.
“Thanks for not leaving.”
“Never,” she says, fierce and sure. “You’re stuck with me forever. Ride or die.”
5 LUCIAN
My eyes snap open, throat tight, pulse pounding in my ears. I stare up at the ceiling and rest my hand on my chest. I pull air slowly through my nose then out my mouth. My pulse steadies and quiets.
Morning light filters through the hospital blinds. I turn and spot Maeve curled up in the chair beside my bed, a blanket covering her.
I turn my head and spot the phone, sitting innocuously on the table. I stare at it. My nerves hum under my skin.
I chew on my lower lip then reach over and grab it. Before I can think too much about it, I’m typing in his name. The results load fast.
Lucian Ashthorne
CEO of Ashthorne Global Security, Major shareholder in multiple tech and logistics companies.
There’s a photo of him in a suit, clean cut, jaw set like stone, shaking hands with an older man. Another in a black jacket, standing beside a tactical vehicle.
I scroll further. There’s an old article —Man Offers $1 Million Rewardfor Missing Daughter.The photo of me is so young I barely recognize myself. I’m smiling from ear to ear, no shadows to be seen. My hair is shiny and neat.
It’s such a stark contrast to school photos I remember taking and seeing the proofs of. I rarely smiled, always circles under my eyes, my hair barely tamed.
They list the date I vanished. My name. My age. The comments flooded with theories, thoughts, and prayers.
He never stopped. He really did look for me.
I sit with that for a minute, then glance towards the door. I’m ready, at least more than I was.
Maeve groans and stretches in the chair, giving me a sleepy smile.
“Whatcha doing?”
“I was Googling him.”
“Ooh. Stalker time, huh? Find anything good?”
I shrug. “I saw news reports about me going missing, more about his company and things, but nothing gossip worthy.”
