Chapter 5

Three months is neither a long time nor a short one.

By the time their $100,000 in savings was nearly gone, the family of three boarded a train home.

On the high-speed train back, Kenneth and Toby scrolled excitedly through the photos on their phones, discussing which scenery had been the most beautiful and which barbecue the best.

"Mom, next time, once we've saved up enough money, can we go to the capital and see the National Mall?" Toby tugged at Carrie's arm, his face full of anticipation.

"Sure! As long as Toby studies hard, Mom will take you all over the country!" Carrie smiled and patted her son's head.

But as the train drew closer and closer to home, the mood in the car gradually began to change.

The chattering that had filled the cabin slowly died down, until at last it sank into complete silence.

All three of them knew in their hearts that what waited for them was a hard fight they couldn't avoid.

Toby sat by the window, looking out at the familiar buildings, and suddenly spoke up in a small voice.

"Mom... next time we go on a trip, could we... could we bring my sister?"

Carrie's smile froze on her face, and she didn't know how to answer.

In those three months, she hadn't looked at the intercepted texts even once.

She had no idea how Eileen was doing now.

Had she gone gaunt and sallow from hunger, or had she already sold off everything in the house?

Or maybe she'd finally come to her senses and gone out to find a job washing dishes or waiting tables?

"Toby, don't worry about grown-up business." Kenneth patted Toby's shoulder, then turned to look at Carrie.

"Carrie, whatever it's like when we open that door, you've got to hold it together."

Carrie nodded silently, but her palms were slick with nervous sweat.

Off the high-speed train, they caught a cab back to the familiar apartment complex.

Walking up the dim stairwell, Carrie felt as if her legs were filled with lead.

Countless possibilities flashed through her mind.

Maybe the place had turned into a garbage dump, stinking takeout boxes and flies everywhere.

Maybe the TV and the refrigerator were gone, sold off by that good-for-nothing girl for cash.

And a most terrifying thought even flashed through her mind: what if something had happened to Eileen at home?

Standing in front of the dark red security door, Carrie took a deep breath and dug her keys out of her bag.

Her hands were shaking so badly that she jabbed at the lock several times before she got the key in.

With a click, the lock turned.

Carrie closed her eyes and shoved the door open hard.

She had braced herself for the worst.

But when she opened her eyes and saw the scene inside the room—

The family of three froze in the doorway all at once, as if a spell had rooted them there.

Kenneth's mouth dropped open, and the duffel bag in his hand hit the floor with a thud.

Carrie rubbed her eyes in disbelief, utterly stunned.