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Hope flared in my chest. Despite the burning pain in my feet, I ran down the path that led up to the house.
Pushing open the front door, I barged in.
The entrance hall was dimly lit. A layer of fine dust coated every surface. Dried flowers stuck out of vases. It looked like it’d been a while since anyone bothered cleaning in here.
The cleaners come once a week, Laura’s voice replayed in my head.
That explained the lack of care here.
Taking my shoes off, I sprinted forward.
The skirt of my dress flared behind me as I ran up the staircase leading to Dad’s room.He’s going to be okay, I chanted happily in my mind.We’re going to be okay.
Reaching Dad’s room, I pushed the door open.
Even though it was dark in here, I caught sight of a familiar figure lying on a bed in the corner. Laura sat in a chair nearby and stood up at the sight of me.
“Dad!” I shouted, running forward. “I’m here!”
Throwing my arms around him, I hugged him as he lay on the bed.
Loud, incoherent noises escaped Dad as he struggled to move.
“It’s okay, Dad,” I said, hugging him tighter. “I’m here now. We’ll get you to a hospital and they’ll make everything better. Don’t worry about a thing from now on.”
Dad’s voice rose higher, taking on an urgent tone.
Something niggled at me. Even though Dad couldn’t form proper speech, I’d become used to understanding his emotions.
Right now, he seemed agitated and alarmed.
Straightening up, I let him see it was me.
Dad’s eyes widened and he shook his head vehemently.
I frowned. He didn’t seem sick but something was bothering him badly.
“Dad, it’s me. Lucia. You’re not alone anymore,” I said soothingly. “I’m here to look after you.”
Dad still continued to look alarmed.
I suddenly felt a presence behind me. Before I could turn around, a pair of strong, muscular arms wrapped around my body.
“Hello, Lucia.”
An icy chill spread through me at the sound of that voice. It was Callum’s.
I felt his nose skimming along the back of my neck, inhaling the scent of my skin. “I finally caught you, little dove.”
“But...but...” I bleated like an idiot. My terrified gaze fell on Laura who quietly moved forward. “Why?” I breathed. “Why would you do this to me?”
“He threatened to kill my children if I didn’t lie to you, Miss Lucia,” she said in a small voice. “I had no choice. I’m sorry.”
Her betrayal was as painful as a stab in the gut.
I couldn’t blame her for what she did but damn, it hurt!
Laura hurriedly walked away, leaving me in my brother’s clutches.
