M the n

dress up. I was forced to bath but I needed more time

hiny blue silk slip ankle l

stop the hel

0

tes, but it felt like an eternity. I applied just enough makeup to cover the dark ci

wanted Luca Caruso to find out about the switch and back out. But at the same time, a part of me wished he wouldn't. My mother's life hung in th

his watch before eyeing me up and down. "Why did you take so long?" he asked, but before I

n. I said nothing, just stood there as he looked m

river will take you. I won't have you running

ng the words ou

ned the door for me, the car spotless, unnervingly polished-just like the

immediately found my phone, fingers trembling slightly as I scrolled through recent calls. There it was-the number from St. Francis Hospital.

e a second thought. They all didn't. I took a deep breath and pressed the call

spital, how may

ore I tell them the reason I called. Horrible feeling. "I spoke with someone yesterday about

De Luca. I remember your call. Have you had a chance

her away from home. "Yes," I lied smoothly. "He's available now. I need yo

e me, but then she said, "I understand. I'll notify the financial department immedi

"No, just make sure you call him now. He's expecti

ca. We'll take care of i

eft me as I lowered the phone onto my lap, staring out at the passing streets that blurred into one another. The

r whatever twisted reasons fueled his cruelty? The thought of it made me feel sick, my stomac

he helplessness wash over me. At least f

He better keep h

s for it, my shoulders sagging with relief. If we got

ces, about the look on my father's face if we arrived late and Mr Luca Caruso angrily c

ent of reprieve. But then, I felt the car shift. The driver, without a w

om my father, probably before we even left the house. There would be no escaping th

that had briefly settled in my chest faded away. I didn't say anything. There was no p

e back to the road ahead. The meeting would ha