Charlotte stood in the garden, idly tugging at the leaves of some evergreen shrub, “Something happened at home. <b>I </b>can’t really go out these next few days.”
penny didn’t press her. It was clearly a personal matter. “Alright. I’ll go pick up Luna myself then, is there anything you want me to tell her?”
Charlotte replied <b>gently</b><b>, </b>“Wish her a happy discharge from me. Tell her to smile every day. And please buy her a small gift on my behalf, I’ll transfer you some moneyter”
Jenny <b>quickly </b>refused “No need! I still have plenty left from 1 what you sent mest time.”
“Alright then,” Charlotte said with a nod
That evening, Charlotte got a call from her tather.
“Charlotte, Saturday’s Jodie’s birthday. It falls on the weekend this <b>year</b>, <b>so </b>we’ve booked a hotel and <b>nned </b>a little party. Try to make time and join us for
Charlotte hesitated.
she had promised Sean she wouldn’t go out for a few days. And while she wanted to celebrate her sister’s birthday, she couldn’t riskit.
with Joseph luriding, there was no telling what that lunatic might try. She couldn’t gamble with her life.
“I’m sorry, <b>Dad</b>. I’ve got a work trip on Saturday. I’ll be out of town.”
Desand was caught off <b>guard</b>. “Really? Is it that urgent? Can someone else take your ce? You know how attached jodie is to you. If you don’t show up, <b>she’s </b>going to cry again.”
He sighed. “After the kidnapping, she’s had a tough time emotionally I had her seeing <b>a </b>psychologist for weeks. She’s finally doing a bit better. The doctor said she needs love and attention <b>from </b>family right now. Her mom’s been with her every day, but she still keeps asking <b>for </b>you. Can’t youe home, just for her?”
A quiet ache rose in Charlotte’s chest.
Jodie was her baby sister. After Jodle was kidnapped, Charlotte had been traumatized tog–haunted by nightmares, barely able to eat or sleep.
“L” she hesitated:
Jodie’s trauma hadn’t fully healed. If Charlotte went <b>to </b>see her, it would probably help her recovery
But the moment she thought of Joseph, that <b>adman</b>, she hardened her heart and said no.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I really can’t get away this weekend<b>.</b>”
“Alright. I understand.”
Desmond hung <b>up</b>.
Charlotte <b>stood </b>by the floor–<b>to</b><b>–</b>ceiling windows, her expression clouded and heavy.
Why was Joseph targeting her?
She had ever even met the man <b>before</b>. They had no history, no <b>conflict</b><b>, </b>
Was it really like Seamaid–because she <b>was </b>Sean’s only weakness<b>? </b>
She had no idea how much longer she would be stuck in this vi
On Saturday, Charlotte <b>was </b>waken by the sound of her phone tinging
i buzzed against the nightstand with relentless persistence. When the <b>call </b>disconnected, it immediately rang agalis. Without opening her eyes, she <b>groped </b>around for her phone, finally answering with a gory voice. “Hello? Who is this?”
“Miss Charlotte—<b>it’s </b>terrible. <b>Your </b>fallier’s been in an ident!”
was the Riley family’s housekeeper, Mrs. Wilson, on the line.
Mrs. Wilson, what happened?”
Awe BMW screeched to <b>a </b>stop in the open–air lot outside the hospital.
Charlotte flung the door open and an inside, panic tightening her chest.
The housekeeper had told her that during Jodie’s birthday party, Desmond <b>had </b>suddenly fallen <b>down </b>the stairs. He was now in critical condition and undergoing
emergency Imralment
The news had hit Charlotte like a truck. She had nearly passed out from shock
Panic overwhelmed everything else.
This was her father
All fear of Joseph vanished.
She grabbed her car keys and bolted out the door without a second thought.
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