13
Qiana’s anxious calls went unanswered.
The Riverview Mansion felt equally desolate.
It didn’t matter where they were; the atmosphere was the same.
Late into the night, the temperature dropped, and they finally gave up their vigil, returning to the Riverview Mansion.
Opening the door, they found Qiana asleep on the sofa.
The villa was bathed in warm, inviting light.
But Ethan and Mason were too preoccupied to notice.
“Why aren’t you asleep?”
Mason’s voice was rough with exhaustion and irritation.
He was in no mood to care for a patient.
Ethan walked towards his room, leaving a curt statement behind.
“Go to bed when it’s time. Don’t wait up for us again.”
Qiana, nestled in the sofa, looked stunned.
What had happened?
Ethan and Mason had been so kind to her before.
Had their coldness stemmed from Lanie’s departure?
She paced in their rooms, her resolve hardening.
Back in her own room, she quickly deleted the taunting messages she’d sent me.
I could leave willingly, but I couldn’t be forced out by her.
Ethan lay in bed, unable to sleep.
His mind was blank.
I was gone, but I’d never told them where my family home in Miami was.
The Ethan’s family was prominent in LA’s high society; finding my address wouldn’t be difficult.
But… had I hidden my departure plans to prevent them from finding me?
A sharp pang of pain pierced Ethan’s heart.
Mason couldn’t sit still either.
He called my aunt, hoping to find out why I’d left, why I’d disappeared without a word.
She answered, having just finished a late–night surgery.
Her hands were still gloved; an intern held the phone for her.
“Hello? Mason, what’s up?”
We had grown up together; Mason and Ethan also called her “Aunt.”
Mason asked urgently, “Aunt, do you know Lanie’s address in Miami? Why did she leave so suddenly? I need to find her!”
A pause.
Then, hesitantly,
“You… you guys don’t know why she left? When she told me, she said you and Ethan knew…”
They realized I’d lied.
My aunt, aware she’d misspoken, quickly backtracked.
“Oh, that. Mason, I’m getting old and forgetful. Lanie just wanted to visit her parents in Miami; it’s been so long. You two are so busy, so she didn’t tell you.”
<13
That explanation didn’t satisfy Mason.
Really?”
Even if he didn’t believe her, he knew he wouldn’t get the truth from my aunt.
But he hadn’t expected me to hide this from both of them!
Visiting her parents was a weak excuse.
If that were all, why would I have hidden it?
Something more important must have happened!
Mason rushed out.
As he stepped out of the villa, he saw Ethan leaning against a car, a pile of ash at his feet.
Ethan stubbed out his cigarette.
“Here? I booked the next flight to Miami. Let’s find her. More people, more hope.”
11
