Chapter 3

I could hear Michael's thoughts loud and clear. 'What the hell is this crazy woman talking about?'

And Sophia was thinking, 'What does she mean? What's wrong with Michael? Does Caroline know he's been trying to sleep with her?'

This was exactly what I wanted. I needed them to turn on each other, so their little alliance would start crumbling from the inside.

Michael's face flushed red with anger as he snapped, "Caroline, what the hell are you talking about? Say it straight!"

I glanced at him, ignored him completely, and spoke directly to Sophia. "Sweetie, some men will tell you they love you while they're busy thinking about someone else's body. You really need to open your eyes before you end up getting played and thanking him for it."

Sophia's gaze cut toward Michael like a knife. She thought, 'So it's true. That piece of trash really has been thinking about Caroline this whole time.'

Michael broke into a sweat and scrambled to defend himself. "Sophia, don't listen to her. You're the only one I care about."

He thought, 'Damn you, Caroline. Once I get my hands on you, you'll pay for this.'

Watching them turn on each other lifted my mood considerably.

Richard finally lost his patience and barked, "Enough! All this screaming and yelling is embarrassing! Caroline, go to your room and think about what you've done!"

His thoughts rang clear in my mind. 'I need to get her to that body check soon. We can't keep putting this off.'

I nodded obediently and said, "Yes, Dad."

I turned and headed upstairs. As I passed Sophia, I leaned in and whispered just loud enough for her to hear, "Dear sister, I wish you and Michael a long and happy marriage, and may you never have a single child to show for it."

Sophia shook with fury, but she couldn't get a single word out.

Back in my room, I locked the door behind me.

This room had been mine for twenty years, but now every corner of it felt hollow and cold.

A knock came at the door a few minutes later. It was Linda.

She called through the door, "Caroline, open up. Mom made you some chicken soup."

I stayed silent.

Her thoughts slithered into my mind. 'Little brat thinks she can throw a tantrum with me. She'll regret it soon enough.'

It went quiet outside the door for a moment, and then I heard her talking to Richard.

Linda asked, "What do we do if she won't open the door?"

Richard answered, "Don't worry. I had the maid put sleeping pills in the soup. Once she's out cold, we'll take her straight to Dr. Owen Harris' private clinic. We'll tell them she's had a mental breakdown and needs to be committed."

His thought followed, cold and deliberate. 'Once she's inside that clinic, whether she lives or dies is entirely up to us.'

My heart sank. I never imagined they could be this cruel.

I rushed into the bathroom, locked the door behind me, and turned on the shower to make it sound like I was bathing. Then I climbed onto the toilet and squeezed through the narrow window.

The second-floor drop was risky, but I didn't have time to think about it.

The moment I landed, a sharp pain shot through my ankle. I clenched my teeth and limped toward the courtyard wall as fast as I could.

I was just about to pull myself over when one of the Carter family bodyguards shouted from behind me. "Ms. Carter, where do you think you're going!"

Flashlight beams locked onto me from every direction.

I knew I wasn't getting away.

But just as I was about to give up, a black Bentley screeched to a stop on the other side of the wall.

The door swung open, and a man in a tailored suit stepped out.