Audrey’s POV
“You’ve been by Rachel’s side all this time,” I said to Mora, “What really happened to Rachel four years ago?
“I remember Rachel was taken abroad by her uncle. Astrid and I went to the airport. We watched them go through sensity, so why is the as Twilight Mansion?”
Nora hesitated, her eyes darting between Rachel and me before she finally spoke.
‘Miss Hayes did leave with her uncle,‘ she admitted quietly. “But as soon as they landed, Jonathan kose’s men brought them back
“Why?”
“Mr. Rose was afraid if Miss Hayes stayed abroad, Mrs. Rose would visit frequently and… possibly cheat again. So he brought Miss Hayes back as leverage to control his wife,”
Nora looked at me, and continued, “He was also afraid Mrs. Rose and her brother might find better doctors abroad for Miss Hayes.”
“Why would he not want Rachel to get better treatment?”
Nora leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Miss Hayes knows certain secrets about Miss Rose and the Rose family. They don’t want her to wake up or speak.”
The implication hit me like ice water. “Are you saying…”
I’ve always suspected Miss Hayes’s fall wasn’t an accident,” Nora said. “Miss Rose was on that rooftop too.”
The bathroom door burst open. Astrid stood there dripping wet, a towel clutched to her chest. The perfume bottle she’d been holding shattered on the floor.
“Are you saying Rachel was pushed by Laurel?” Astrid stepped forward, glass crunching under her bare feet, leaving bloody footprints. She didn’t seem to notice.
“Do you have proof, or is this just a guess?” she demanded, grabbing Nora’s shoulders.
Nora shrank back. “I don’t have proof. It’s just my suspicion,
“You can’t just throw around accusations like that!” Astrid’s fingers dug into Nora’s shoulders. “Why do you think that? If she really hurt Rachel, I’ll crash her engagement tonight!”
“Astrid, stop.” I moved between them, gently pulling her hands away. “You’re bleeding.”
“But Audrey – ”
“Getting angry won’t help Rachel,” I said, guiding her to sit on the bed. “Without proof, creating a scene would only hurt us, not Laurel.*
I knelt to examine her feet. “Our priority is getting Rachel away safely.”
“The Rose family has deliberately kept Rachel from receiving proper treatment,” I added, keeping my voeady despite my anger. “If you make a scene tonight and we fail to get her out, they’ll never give us another chance.”
Astrid’s shoulders sagged. “You’re right. We can’t let Rachel stay with them another day.”
I grabbed the first aid kit from the bathroom and began cleaning the cuts on her feet.
1/2
Chapter 240
“Does it hurt?”
Astrid’s eyes filled with tears. “Audrey, I’m useless. I couldn’t protect Rachel… and I can’t save you either.
“Don’t talk like that. I need your help tonight.”
“I wish I was the one who got sick instead of you,” she said, her voice breaking. Why did it have to be you with this-
“Astrid,” I cut her off with a glance toward Rachel. “Not here.”
I didn’t want Rachel hearing about my condition while unable to respond or ask questions. It would only distress her.
While I bandaged Astrid’s feet, Nora gently cleaned Rachel, using a damp cloth and a light mist of perfume to mask the smell.
When I finished, I helped Astrid stand and walk to Rachel’s bedside.
“Hey Rachel, Astrid said, touching her face. “Never thought our reunion would be in a hotel garbage basement.”
Rachel’s eyes moved slightly, and I could see her trying to smile. Her face tensed with effort, brows furrowing, but her muscles wouldn’t cooperate.
My chest ached at the sight. I took her hand and squeezed it.
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