The evil stepmother Maribel took her role to the extreme. Locking my brother in his room when he was home, school the only place she would allow him to go. I was prohibited from coming home to see him. She kept him isolated as she flaunted her newfound wealth, not just around town, but with the many male friends who happened to stop by when Dad was out of town.
So, I snuck into the house as often as I could to check on him, but as his mental and physical health deteriorated, I knew I had to do something. Maribel had made it clear that she was getting rid of us. She wanted us gone, and sometimes I wondered if she wanted us both dead. She hated us enough.
Then one night, as I was sneaking into the house, she caught me in the hallway. I froze; my heart literally stopped beating.
There was no point fighting, since I had no evidence of her mistreatment. It was still going to be her word against mine, and I knew Dad wouldn’t believe me. He still wasn’t even taking my calls.
So that night, we made a deal.
James and I had to leave.
If we didn’t? If I went to Dad? James would be shipped off to a private military boarding school in Virginia. She showed me the flyers; she had already started talking to Dad about it. He wasn’t keen, but we both knew Maribel would get her way eventually. Especially now that she caught me sneaking back in.
James would be broken. The kind, sweet, introverted boy would be sent away to live a life that was isolating, disciplined, strict, and harsh, one that I know would have detrimental effects and harm him deeply. With me in the city, living on friend’s sofa, trying to get any job I could, I wouldn’t be able to save him from that. I wouldn’t have a hope.
Then she dangled another threat. That she would ruin my father. That if we didn’t disappear and leave him, our home, and our lives, she would start spreading rumors. Talk to the media about Dad, start spreading misinformation about his business tactics. I know better than most that the media doesn’t need the truth for a good story. All it would take is the slightest scandal to ruin my father’s business and everything he worked so hard for. As much as we clash, he’s still my father, and I couldn’t let that happen.
So, she made me an offer. To leave that night with James and to never come back. I needed to get us out safely because I truly didn’t know exactly what she was capable of, and I knew if I fought her that within a day, things would go from bad to worse. With our bags packed, I grabbed all the cash I had, and we fled, taking a bus in the middle of the night here to Whispers.
The decision saved us. Saved James. But it still haunts me every single day.
20
Sutton
I walk around my plot of land, my face back to normal and my lips now able to suck a straw. The immunotherapy wasn’t too bad, and with any luck, with a few more treatments, my reaction to bees will be minimal.
“So, the living space will go here, facing north. The view is spectacular.”
I follow Griffin’s gaze. He’s right; you can see most of the town from up here. Rolling hills, my privacy still protected, but I’m elevated enough that only drones would be able to get pictures of me. The media uses drones all the time, but out here, someone will spot them and probably shoot them down. That thought makes me grin.
Sawyer and Annabelle’s place is right next door, but next door is still more than a hundred yards away. His place is surrounded by a high steel fence combined with large green hedges. But we both agreed to cut out a walkway, so that I can walk over to him and he to me at any time.
“I want to put in a guesthouse out back, over on the side near Sawyer’s. For my mom or my security team.” My mom’s welcome to stay with me anytime she wants, and I’ll have more than enough room. But maybe having her own permanent place to stay might suit her better.
“We can make it work. You have one of the bigger plots on Billionaire Boulevard. Hudson and Huxley’s ranch down the road is the biggest, and Tanner’s is about the same size as yours. So you have plenty of room.”
“What about yours?” I know he has a plot here; the fact that we’re all neighbors is nice.
“Mine is a good size, but I chose seclusion. I’m a little more hidden. I don’t have the views.”
I quirk an eyebrow. “Do you need privacy?”
He’s a builder. Out of all of us who live up here, I’m the one the media stalks.
“I like to be left alone. Don’t like a lot of people, prefer my own space.”
I can see that about him. A little grumpy, set in his ways.
“You got a girlfriend? A wife?” I know he doesn’t, but I want to see his reaction.
“Nope. I travel too much. I don’t have the time to invest. Kids give me hives.”
I huff a laugh. At least he’s honest.
“So, where’s the pool?” Griffin pulls out the plans, and we get a feel for the space. He’s done an amazing job. I now understand why he’s the most sought-after builder in the country.
“Pool, large deck, hot tub, sauna are all along here. Entrance to your gym will be here, and the tennis court over here. We could probably fit in a helipad here if you want it?”
