“Let’s go.” He led me out of the apartment and to the blacked-out SUV parked at the curb. There was a driver in the front who didn’t say a word as we got inside. He silently pulled into traffic and drove toward the palace.

We sat in silence the whole way, Gilbert sitting against the opposite window with his elbow on the armrest. His fingers rested against his jawline as he surveyed the buildings and then the countryside.

“So, you hate me again.”

He ignored me.

I realized I had to start all over—with both men.

My old bedroom looked exactly the same.

There were fresh flowers ready for my arrival, in big vases around the quarters. My designer clothes were in the closet like they’d never been removed. The diamonds and jewelry were still in the vault. All of my makeup and hair supplies were on the bathroom counter, pristine and undisturbed.

It felt so strange to stand there.

It was as if nothing had changed.

But also, everything had changed.

“Will you take your lunch in the garden room?” He set the bag on a shelf in the closet before he reemerged, his arms behind his back like he was dressed in his formal attire.

“Sure.”

He gave a slight bow then made to depart.

“Is Fender in his office?”

He stilled just before he crossed the threshold into the hallway. “Yes. But you’re unwelcome.”

I’d expected that, but it stung anyway. “Will he join me for lunch—”

“No.”

“Then when will I see him?”

He turned back around and gave me a cold look. “Whenever he feels like it, Melanie.”

I didn’t see Fender for a week.

Gilbert left my birth control on the nightstand like he expected me to resume the contraceptive, and I was taken to a doctor’s office to be tested for my reproductive health—even though I hadn’t been with anyone.

It was springtime, so I spent more time outside. The garden bloomed with colorful flowers, and I’d sit there for hours and watch the bees fly from one petal to the next. Whenever the sun was directly on my skin, I felt like a cat lounging in its rays.

When I took my walks, I passed the guest quarters.

If my sister hadn’t run, she’d be there right now.

She’d be safe. Taken care of. Maybe even happy…

But that was gone now.

I was supposed to convince Fender to release my sister, but I wasn’t sure if that was even a possibility. I couldn’t ask, because if I did, he would grow suspicious. I had to earn back his trust, but I wasn’t sure if that would ever happen either. His guard was up higher than it used to be. He would never lower it, and it was too high for me to climb.