Chapter 5
A piercing yowl split the night. Calvin’s hand froze on the burlap sack.X
Hurst let out a long breath. “Just a stray cat.”
In the darkness, Nettie’s nails dug deep into her palm. Blood seeped between her fingers, staining the sack with a smear of dark red!!
Morning sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains, casting pale stripes across the room. Nettie stared quietly at the fresh bruises blooming along her legs &
“What happened here?” she asked, pointing at the angry marks. Her voice was eerily calm.
Calvin’s eyes darted away. “Maybe… you didn’t sleep well? You must have fallen out of bed last night.”
Hurst rushed to change the subject. “Nettie, your birthday’s next week. Any idea what you’d like?“%
He crouched down, gently taking her hand just like he used to. “How about the grandest birthday party ever? Just for you?“%
Nettie’s mind flickered back to birthdays before she turned fourteen. Back then, she wore made–to–order dresses; Calvin would fasten a diamond tiara into her hair, and Hurst would kneel and slip a glass slipper onto her foot.”
But ever since Charis arrived, everything changed. The one at the center of the celebration–adored, showered with gifts–wasn’t her anymore.}.
“No need,” she murmured.
“That won’t do!” they chorused, their eyes alight with a warmth that almost seemed real 3
Hurst knelt again, squeezing her hand. “We have to give you the grandest celebration.“!
For the next few days, Calvin and Hurst left early and returned late. Even Charls was nowhere to be seen.
Nettie watched their comings and goings with cold detachment, until the moming of her birthday–I
“Nettie, here’s your dress and jewelry,” Hurst said hurriedly, setting down a delicate box. “I’ll go get the car seat ready–get changed and we’ll head out.“3
After the door closed behind him, Nettie noticed Hurst’s phone lying on the bed.
As the screen lit up, her blood ran cold.
A group chat. The name blazed on the screen: “Little Sunshine and Her Two Knights.”}
The latest message e was a photo from Charis: [Hurst, Calvin, how do you like my dress?]3
Nettie’s hands shook as she scrolled up:
A selfie of Charls beneath the Eiffel Tower
A snapshot of Calvin with his arm around her, sharing ice cream.
A video of Hurst fastening a diamond necklace around Charis’s neck…
o this was their “preparation“-an excuse for a European getaway with Charis.
So
The dress in Nettie’s hands still had the tag on, “Promotional item,” it read.
Tears splattered across the phone screen. She set it back in its place, movements mechanical.
When Hurst returned and saw that she hadn’t changed, he looked surprised, about to speak. Nettie said softly. “My legs look awful. I don’t want to change.”
“Don’t say that.” Hurst cupped her face, voice thick with pity. “You’ll always be my little princess.”
Then he had the maid help her into the dress and jewelry, and wheeled her out to the car!
The ballroom shimmered with gold and crystal, but not a single guest spared a glance at the birthday girl in her wheelchair.
Calvin stayed glued to Charis’s side as she cut the cake; Hurst fussed over the hem of her dress.
Nettle sat apart, watching her own birthday become a stage for someone else.
Suddenly, the ground shook violently.
“Earthquakel
Panic swept the room
like w
wildfire
Nettie watched as Calvin and Hurst both bolted toward Charis.
Her wheelchair toppled in the chaos. As the ceiling caved in, she caught a distant, desperate shout from Hurst:2
“Nettle–18
Darkness swallowed everything.
“Another tremor’s coming! Both girls are trapped–who do we get out first?” a rescue worker called urgently.
“Miss Beaumont’s in the worst spot. If we don’t get her out now, she might lose a leg!”
“Then let her,” Calvin answered, his voice cold, almost clinical. “Get Charis Rogers out first.“”
