Audrey’s POV
The Rose family was supposed to have staff bring Rachel up through the service elevator. That’s what we’d been told
Astrid and I weren’t happy about it, but we understood. The back area of the hotel was a mess and the service elevators were grimy, but at least Rachel wouldn’t be paraded in front of New York’s elite like some sideshow. Small mercies.
We rushed to the back area as soon as we heard. Our plan was simple meet Rachel the moment she arrived and take her somewhere quiet.
But after waiting by the elevator for nearly six minutes, dodging passing carts and nearly getting our toes crushed twice. Rachel was nowhere to be seen.
Something was wrong. I could feel it.
I grabbed Astrid’s hand. “This doesn’t feel right.”
“You think something happened to her?” Astrid asked.
We shared a look and made a split–second decision. As the elevator doors started to close, we squeezed in alongside two workers with garbage bins.
The elevator rattled downward, making a noise like metal scraping against metal. The smell from the bins was overwhelming in the small space. When we finally reached the second basement level, I couldn’t get out fast enough.
Once the staff rolled their bins away, Astrid pulled out her perfume.
“God, the Roses are pieces of work,” she said, giving herself a quick spray. “We passed at least three other service elevators upstairs. One was literally bringing up champagne.”
She squared her shoulders, voice rising. “But they stick Rachel in this one? With the garbage? Just because she can’t complain?”
“And that’s exactly why I need to get her out,” I said, turning on my phone’s flashlight. “I won’t leave her with people who treat her like this.”
I started walking. Astrid caught up. “I used to think you were being dramatic about this whole rescue mission. Now I get it.”
She shook her head. “Leaving Rachel with the Roses is basically feeding a lamb to wolves.”
We swept our lights across the dimly lit basement, moving past pipes and storage areas. And then, in a corner where the ceiling dripped with condensation, we found her.
Rachel was on a hospital bed, with only Nora struggling to move her. She held a folded wheelchair in one hand while trying to push the bed
with the other.
On the bed, Rachel lay still, her eyes open and wet with tears. Just watching.
My heart broke. There aren’t words for how that felt – seeing my friend like that, abandoned in a basement.
“Nora!” I called out.
Nora spun around. The wheelchair slipped from her grasp, crashing to the floor with a loud bang.
“Sinclair Miss? Wilson Miss?” Her eyes filled with tears.”
I rushed to Rachel’s bed. ‘Why are you alone down here?”
1/2
Chapter 238
Astrid picked up the fallen wheelchair. “The Roses said they’d arrange for staff. Is it just you?”
Nora wiped her eyes. Mrs. Rose assigned several staff initially, but Miss Rose said tonight was too important and reassigned them. I’ve been trying to move her myself, but…”
“They left you to handle a vulnerable patient alone?” The anger in my voice surprised even me.
“It’s always been this way,” Nora said with a sad smile. “Even before her accident, Miss Hayes was never the favorite
“Those heartless bastards,” Astrid snapped, gripping the wheelchair. Making you drag Rachel through this filthy basement while they prance around upstairs.”
Nora’s shoulders sagged. “I just want her at the event. She should be part of her sister’s engagement.
I looked down at Rachel. Our eyes met. Though she couldn’t speak or move, her gaze was alive with awareness. A tear slid down her temple
into her hair.
My throat tightened. I took her limp hand and squeezed it gently.
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