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.”
