Chapter 3
"Miss Lane, your phone." Sophia handed me the latest model. "The SIM card is already set up, and Mr. Lane, Mr. Grant, and I are all saved in your contacts. I'll take care of your old phone."
I took it, and the screen suddenly lit up. A video call request popped up. Caller ID: Charles. My palms instantly started sweating.
Sophia thoughtfully led everyone out of the living room. I took a deep breath and answered the call. A face appeared on the screen.
The man looked a little over thirty. His features were about half like mine, but sharper, harder. He wore a simple white dress shirt, and behind him was an office overlooking Ravenport's skyline at night.
"Emily," he said, his voice low and pleasant. "I'm Charles." I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.
I'm sorry it took me this long to find you. His eyes were gentle, nothing like his cool, sharp appearance. "How have you been all these years?"
It was such a simple question, but my eyes instantly burned. I bit my lip, shook my head, then nodded.
"I'll be home tomorrow night," Charles said. "Get some rest for now. If you want anything, tell Sam. If you want to do something, just do it. Emily, from today on, you never have to worry about anything again."
"Why?" I finally found my voice. "Why are you being so good to me? We haven't seen each other in twenty-three years. I don't even remember you..."
"But I remember you," Charles said softly. "On your second birthday, I gave you my cake, and you got frosting all over your face like a little kitten.
"When you were three, I took you to steal plums from the neighbor's tree. You fell trying to climb it, and I took the blame for you. When you were four..."
His voice caught. "When Mom and Dad divorced, you clung to my leg and cried, begging me not to go. I promised you I'd come back for you."
I covered my face as tears slipped through my fingers. "Emily, I came back too late. I'm sorry," Charles said quietly. "But from now on, I won't let anyone bully you again."
After the call ended, I sat alone in the huge living room for a long time. Then my phone buzzed with a bank alert: [A deposit of 3,500,000 dollars has been credited to your account.]
[Pocket money. Let me know if it isn't enough.] I counted the zeros over and over, then pinched myself hard. It hurt. So this wasn't a dream.
The next morning, sunlight woke me up. I opened my eyes to a crystal chandelier and velvet curtains I didn't recognize, and it took me three whole seconds to remember where I was.
On the bedside table was a full set of brand-new clothes, everything from underwear to coats. Every size was exactly right, and the style was the simple kind I liked.
The walk-in closet was full of new-season pieces with the tags still on. On the vanity, skincare and makeup from every major brand were lined up in perfect rows.
"Miss Lane, breakfast is ready." Sam's voice came from outside the door.