Chapter 4

When I got to the gated community, a black car pulled up in front of me.

The window rolled down. Nathan's face appeared.

"Miss Carter?" He smiled. "Get in. I'll drive you in."

"No thanks," I said. "I know the way."

"I know you do." He got out of the car and walked around to my side. "But I want to talk to you."

He was a head taller than me. He smelled like expensive cologne. I stepped back half a step. He stepped forward half a step, keeping the distance close.

"About what?" I asked.

"About you," he said. "I'm curious. How does someone survive ten years after being kidnapped?"

"You just survive," I said. "As long as you don't starve, you live."

"Interesting." He laughed. "Emily said you were crude. I think she's wrong. You're special, Sophie."

His eyes moved over my face like he was appraising me.

"Mr. Shaw," I said. "You have a fiancée."

"Business arrangement." He shrugged. "No real feelings. But you..."

He reached out to touch my face.

I stepped back and pulled something from my pocket.

It was the receipt from the internet cafe. I held it between my fingers. The edge was sharp.

"Come any closer, I'll scream assault," I said. "This receipt has the time on it. I just left the internet cafe. Your prints aren't on me. But if you touch me, they will be."

His hand stopped in midair. "You're threatening me?"

"Reminding you," I said. "Mr. Shaw, I'm not interested in the games you rich people play. If you want excitement, find someone else."

I turned and walked away.

He called after me. "You'll regret that."

I didn't look back.

When I got back to the Carter house, Grace was throwing a fit in the living room.

"Where did you go?" She saw me, and her voice went high. "I told you to get breakfast. You were gone for two hours?"

"I got lost," I said. "This place is too big."

"Excuses!" She stood up. "Emily is up. She's waiting for you in the dining room. And here you are, making the whole family wait for you."

I looked toward the dining room. Emily was sitting there, pale-faced, eyes red and puffy like she'd been crying.

Nathan stood next to her, whispering something. When he saw me, he looked up and smiled. A meaningful smile.

"Sorry," I said, walking over. "I didn't know you were waiting for me."

"It's fine." Emily gave a weak smile. "Sit down, Sophie. The soup is getting cold."

On the table were five bowls of soup. One of them had noticeably less in it. The rim was chipped.

"That's yours," Grace said. "The maid dropped it. Just deal with it."

I sat down in front of the chipped bowl. I didn't pick up my spoon.

"What's wrong? Don't like it?" Richard came down the stairs.

"I'm scared to eat it," I said. "Might be poisoned."

Dead silence.

"What did you say?" Grace's voice went sharp.

"Just joking." I picked up the spoon and took a bite. "Tastes good. Thanks."

I ate fast. Three bites and the bowl was empty. Then I stood up. "I'm done. I'm going to clean up the cupboard."

"Wait." Richard stopped me. "I have an announcement."

He glanced at Nathan. Nathan nodded.

"In three months, Emily and Nathan are getting engaged. There will be a big party. All the important people will be there." Richard said.

"Sophie, now that you're back, you'll attend. Between now and then, Emily will teach you some manners. Don't embarrass the Carter name," he added.

"Okay," I said.

"One more thing." He paused. "The Shaws suggested that before the engagement, the two of them should spend more time together. Emily's health isn't good. She can't go out much. So..."

"So?" I asked.

"So Nathan will move in here," Grace said. "He'll stay on the second floor. In your old room. The one that faces the sun."

I looked at Emily. She had her head down. Her ears were red. I couldn't tell if she was embarrassed or scared.

"I thought that was Emily's room," I said.

"Emily is moving next to me," Grace said. "So I can take care of her."

"Oh," I said. "What about me? Still in the cupboard?"

No one answered.