AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’ll have plenty of time to reorient yourself to your future, Lilith. For the time being, I think it would be best if you were driven to and from your study sessions. When the program begins, you’ll be escorted there, too.”
I can’t stop the shocked expression that takes over my face, and I don’t try. “Grandpapa, I’m—I’m perfectly fine to drive.”
“I’d prefer you didn’t. Not until you’re settled.”
“Iamsettled.”
“And that’s how you’ll stay.” His voice rises, and his teeth snap together, and I don’t move a muscle. My heart does not get the memo. It feels suspended on a hoop, spinning out of control. “That’s how you’ll stay, Lilith, because I’m not going to stand by and watch while you run off and get yourself killed.”
The blood drops out of my face. “Is that what happened to Mom? She got herself killed?”
“I don’t know.” Another flash of disgust crosses his face. “I don’t know what happened to my daughter, and it’s hell. I won’t go through that again. I’ve taken the keys to the car. I’ve made a driver available to you for the purpose of attending Millicent’s study group or the program at Columbia.”
“Grandpapa.” A laugh that’s definitely notmineflies out of my mouth. “Are you saying—are youjailingme?”
He doesn’t laugh.
He doesn’t smile.
He looks at me like I’m the one who drove his daughter to run away and never come back.
“You wouldn’t know the first thing about being jailed, Lily-bug.” My grandfather shrugs this off, like it’s a perfectly normal conversation to have. “Why don’t you get changed? I have a few calls to make, and then we can continue this conversation.”
He means it.
He’s serious.
I have to get out.
I nod, probably too enthusiastically, because my heart is going to explode. “That sounds good. I’d like to keep talking.”
He steps in and gives me another hug, then shoos me toward the stairs. Grandpapa’s voice follows me up. He’s already on the phone, but I don’t know whether he’s calling off a search team or callingina security team to keep me here.
Tokeepme here.
I only stop in the bathroom to turn on the shower, then go down the hall to my bedroom. Close the door. Lock it behind me. My fingers are numb on the strap of my bag.
And then, for the first time in my life, I pop the screen on the front window and climb out onto the porch roof. I don’t give myself time to think about it. On the right-hand side, there’s a corner of the house with no windows. That’s where I jump.
It’s a harder landing than I thought it would be, and I crouch next to the porch for ten seconds to catch my breath. For several of those minutes, I think I might throw up in the grass. It’s the most bizarre, sudden feeling, and totally isolated. I don’t feel feverish. Just like…I’ll quickly empty my stomach on the ground and proceed as usual.
It doesn’t happen.
The leaves rustle just the same way when I leave the yard.
I don’t go to the public parking lot. I turn the opposite way, zig-zagging through the neighborhood until I’m relatively sure he’s not following me.
Then it’s time to make the most ironic phone call of my life.
5
JAMESON
Charlotte’s hospital room is really a suite. It has a second separate sitting area, an en suite with a tub and a shower, and so much natural light that nobody has to think about lamps. This room, in the private wing of the hospital, is quiet and sunny and surrounded by security. Mason wouldn’t settle for anything less for his life.
I wish I could enjoy it.
There’s plenty to enjoy, obviously. Gabriel and Elise and the teenagers they’ve taken in. Charlotte and Mason, obsessed with their new son. Remy, next to me on a couch that has no business being in a hospital.
