Chapter 3

Thirsty, I got up and went downstairs for water.

That's when I saw Lewis on the balcony, on the phone. His voice was low, but I could make out every word.

"Yeah, good girl. Tomorrow at the auction — bid on whatever you want, don't worry about the price. I know, I know. Things are just a little busy right now, I can't be with you every minute."

That gentle, indulgent tone. It used to belong only to me.

I stood behind him, glass in hand, and listened for a moment. Then I decided it wasn't worth my time.

I turned to leave.

"Betty?" His voice came from behind me. "When did you come down?"

He'd already hung up. "Just now…"

He started to explain, but I cut him off. "I was thirsty. Just came for water. Don't stop on my account."

He moved toward me, reaching out.

But I was already halfway up the stairs.

At the landing, I caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye. He was watching me the whole way up.

The next morning at breakfast, Lewis poured me a glass of milk. It was a habit of his.

I always used to drink it. He would watch me with a soft smile.

This time, I didn't touch it. I poured myself a glass of warm water instead.

His smile froze on his face, but he didn't say anything.

Lewis stood, grabbed his jacket, and headed for the door. "I need to step out for a bit."

"Okay," I said.

He paused at the door, looking back at me. "No questions?"

I thought about it for a moment.

Once, I would have drilled him — where are you going, how long, who with. Somewhere along the way I'd turned into someone desperate, someone terrified of being left behind.

But not anymore.

"No," I said simply.

Lewis stood there for a few seconds, then left without another word.

After he was gone, I went upstairs to finish packing. There wasn't much to take. I didn't want the hospital clothes — they only brought back pain. I put my parents' photo into the suitcase.

And a journal. The one I'd kept at the facility.

I flipped through it. Every page had just one line.

Called him again today. The 180th time. He didn't answer.

Treatment was painful today.

I miss Mom and Dad so much. No one loves me anymore. Now even he treats me this way.

It's my birthday today. No one remembered.

I think it's been three days since I thought about him. The doctor said I'm almost healed.

I closed the journal and dropped it in the trash.

Lewis was back soon, and he brought his three friends with him.

They went into the study to talk business.

The study door hadn't been pulled shut all the way. From the living room, I could catch pieces of their conversation.

"So how are things with you and Betty?" That was Austin — the one who'd said I was flexible.

Lewis's voice was calm. "Fine."

Then Daniel — the one who'd called me stiff. "She looks normal now. Just sitting in the living room reading. Didn't even react when we came in. I half expected her to flip out."

Austin again: "Honestly though — that girl Mia. Isn't she getting a little too bold lately? She bid seven hundred million on a necklace at the auction today without blinking. That's one thing. But then she's going around telling everyone you bought it for her."