Chapter 3

Dad returned late at night, flanked by a group of bodyguards. Mom was packing, her eyes cautious. "What exactly are you planning?" she asked cautiously.

Sutton Baker, with a smug grin, interjected, "Leighton, tomorrow is Dulce and Creed's wedding. Tonight, Adelyn will have to deal with a little inconvenience."

"What do you mean by that?" Mom's voice was tense.

The men in black surrounded us, reaching out to grab me. Dad spoke deliberately, "Tomorrow is Dulce's wedding, and we can't risk you trying to disrupt it. You'll be staying in the cellar tonight."

Dulce put on a show of concern, "I believe Adelyn wouldn't spoil the wedding. Perhaps we shouldn't lock them up?"

"It's so cold outside. What if something bad happens to them?" She played the innocent card well, earning Creed's sympathy.

"Look at how considerate Dulce is, standing up for you. Meanwhile, you're being so petty," Dad said with disdain.

I scoffed, "Have you all lost your minds? What reason do you have to lock us in the cellar?"

"Why are you so sure I'd ruin the wedding tomorrow?"

Dad's voice turned harsh, "You and your mother are up to no good, so it's better to be safe than sorry. Besides, it's only one night. I don't believe you'll come to any harm."

They shoved us into the cellar, where the winter chill was biting. "Take this time to think things over," Dad said. "You'll be let out after the wedding."

As soon as I entered, I couldn't stop coughing. Mom, filled with worry, held me tightly.

Mom's tone softened into a plea, "Xavier, please. Adelyn isn't well. Let her go and leave me here instead."

Creed sneered, "She's an adult. A night in the cellar won't kill her."

I was only wearing a thin nightgown and was shivering violently. "Xavier, please let Adelyn out. She's not in good health and can't stand the cold."

Dad pulled Mom's hand away. "She's my daughter. If she can't even handle one night in the cellar, then she doesn't deserve to be my daughter. She needs to toughen up. You've been too easy on her, Leighton."

With a loud clang, the door shut.

I shivered uncontrollably and kept pounding on the door. "Let me out. It's freezing."

John Shaw's voice came from outside, "Miss, Madame, hold on. Once the wedding's over, you'll be free."

I spoke weakly, "John, please let us out. I promise I won't tell Dad."

"Sorry, Miss. Mr. Fox would be furious if he found out," he replied apologetically.

Mom held onto me tightly, "Stay strong, Adelyn. Our help will be here soon."

At the break of dawn, Mom and I looked back one last time at the manor, which was about to go up in flames. Without another glance, we turned and left.