Chapter 7

The voice on the other end kept going, but I couldn't hear a thing.

My ears were ringing.

I gripped the phone, went cold all over, like I'd been dropped into an ice pit.

Even the housekeeping company contract was also fake.

Ever since she first set foot in our home three years ago, everything had been a total scam.

I hung up. The phone slipped from my cold hand.

It landed on the carpet without a sound. But my world was torn apart.

Fake. Everything was fake.

The housekeeping company contract was fake. Grace's identity was fake.

From the moment she walked in three years ago, this place had been a meticulously crafted cage just for me.

David and our nanny were accomplices.

What were they really after?

I didn't dare think any further.

The only thing on my mind was escape.

I had to take Anna and get us out of this terrifying place immediately.

I picked up my phone and wiped the call record.

I had to keep my cool. I couldn't let David and Haley notice anything off.

I took a deep breath and stepped out of the study.

In the living room, Haley was playing with Anna.

David sat on the couch, watching them, wearing that fatherly smile.

What an ironic scene.

I walked over and scooped Anna up. "How about I take you to the amusement park, Anna?"

Anna cheered. "Yay, let's go!"

David looked up at me. "How come you suddenly want to go to the amusement park today?"

"It's the weekend, so I thought I'd take her out for some fun," I said, trying to sound as normal as possible.

He smiled. "Sure, go ahead. Take care on the road."

His gentle gaze only made my skin crawl.

I turned, holding Anna, ready to change clothes.

Haley stood up. "Mrs. Lane, why don't I come along? I can help take care of Anna."

My heart tightened suddenly.

"No, it's fine," I blurted out. "I just want to have some time alone with Anna."

I might have sounded a bit too harsh.

Haley looked at me quietly from behind her mask for a few seconds.

Then she nodded meekly. "Alright. I'll get some water and snacks ready for Anna."

She turned and walked into the kitchen.

I rushed into the bedroom with Anna in my arms, my heart thundering in my chest.

I got Anna dressed to go out as quickly as possible.

Then I dragged out a backpack I'd hidden deep in the closet, one I'd packed long ago.

Inside were our personal documents, some cash, and a few spare clothes for both of us.

I slung the backpack over my shoulder and took Anna's hand. "Come on, sweetie, let's go."

I opened the door.

In the living room, David was still sitting on the couch.

He wasn't watching TV. He was watching me. His eyes lingered on me, full of something I couldn't quite read.

Haley came out of the kitchen, carrying a thermos and a lunchbox.

"Here you go, Mrs. Lane. Everything's ready," she said, handing me the thermos and lunchbox.

I didn't take them. All I wanted was to leave as quickly as I could.

"Let's go, Anna," I said, grabbing her hand and heading for the front door.

Just as my hand was about to grab the doorknob, David called out from behind me. "It's really windy out there. Anna's health isn't great. Maybe you shouldn't go."

I froze in place.

I slowly turned to face David.

"We're just going to the park downstairs. It's fine," I said, my voice shaking.

David stood up and walked toward me, step by step. His tall figure loomed over me, radiating an intimidating pressure.

He came right up to me, still wearing that smile. "I said, you're not going anywhere today."

His voice was quiet, but it slammed into me like a sledgehammer.

He knew. He knew I was trying to run.

"Why?" I asked. "Why won't you let us go out?"

His eyes fell on the backpack behind me. "You've packed way too many things.

"It's just a trip to the amusement park. You don't need to bring so much."

A cold dread crept through me, slowly turning my blood to ice.

Just then, Haley walked over.

She crouched down in front of Anna, her voice soft and gentle. "Anna, it's really windy outside. How about we stay in today?

"I'll build you the most beautiful castle in the whole world right here at home."

Anna's eyes lit up. "Really? Is it going to be even more fun than the amusement park?"

"Of course."

Anna immediately pulled her hand free from mine and dashed over to Haley. "I want to build a castle. I don't want to go out anymore."

I watched Anna rush toward Haley, and it felt like I'd been drained dry.

I'd lost. Completely.