ana

completely devoid of sleep. Five years of waking up alone whenever Iva

I hear

y parents had drilled strict, aristocratic etiquette into me since childhood. They always walked with he

mic pattern. It was a survival instinct I had perfected in boarding school-pl

oor of my bedro

She was carrying a silver tray. It was the same ornate tray she had given

. The rich aroma of Earl Grey tea, laced with

my brain did. Ambien. Kiera had drugged me with it years ago, and my n

was a tiny, nervous tick. My father always did that rig

against the silk headboard. I pasted on the perfect,

ured, making my voice

py birthday, my darling," she cooed. Her voice was dripping with m

icate porcelain cup. I intentionally let my f

hesitation. Just the freezing touch of a woma

ea in three large swallows. The bitter liquid burned its way down my throat. It was my f

t," Eleanor said, taking the e

or closed, and the deadbolt c

y thought I would be unconscious while they went to th

clicked, the smile

the freezing tiles in front of the toilet bowl. Memories crashed over me-my mother standing behind

s violently down th

th to muffle the violent sounds of my gagging. Enduring pain in total s

ed up my throat. I vomited until the

tched the poison swirl down the dr

and looked in the mirror. My eyes were bloodshot and feral. The s

d. At the very back, I pressed my palm against a hidden wooden panel. It popped open.

less black hoodie. I reached into the hidden safe and grabbed the thick envelope containing my fa

up a solid black, unmarked box.

ng ring felt like a shackle cutting off my circulation. I sli

ead, pulling the brim down low. A habit

it into the lock. Three seconds later, the deadbolt clicked open. Spending days

of every security camera in this house. I was the mistress

family portrait hanging on the wall. Kiera's smiling fac

as the exact same door Ivan had dragged me throug

took a deep breath. My lungs expanded fully for the f

ed a heavy waterproof tarp off a rusted, used Ford

nd turned the key. The engine roared to life. I slammed my foot o

e begins