Chapter 7

Julia had not even understood Lydia's accusation when Everett hauled Lydia to her feet. Lydia kept trying to kneel, and he had to half carry her away from Julia.

"Jules, no matter how angry you are with me, you cannot punish a child. Tell me where Peter is. Lydia will not press charges if he comes back safely."

Everett spoke loudly enough for everyone at the school gate to hear. Curious and condemning eyes turned toward Julia, but she ignored them and met his gaze with her head high.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I haven't seen Peter today."

"Ms. Fenner, I know you cannot have children and hate seeing Peter in Everett's home, but he is innocent. Please tell me where you hid him."

Lydia broke away from Everett and dug her nails into Julia's arm. Julia stepped back, trying to shake her off, and Everett's mother struck her across the face.

"You barren little tramp. It wasn't enough to cling to my son for years? Tell us where you hid my grandson. If he has so much as a scratch, I will make you pay."

Estelle Warden's slap knocked Julia to the ground and split her lip. As the older woman stood over her cursing, the crowd's curiosity hardened into disgust, and Julia felt the last warmth leave her heart.

"I did not hide him."

Everett lowered his eyes and walked toward her. He had barely extended a hand when his aide shouted, "We found him."

Everyone turned. The aide carried Peter, whose clothes were covered in yellow mud. Everett crossed the yard, took the boy, and inspected him from head to foot before finally breathing again.

Lydia rushed over. "You frightened me to death. Why did you follow a stranger? Tell us who took you."

Peter pointed at Julia on the ground. "She did. She locked me up and left me on the ridge."

Estelle answered instantly. "Take her to the discipline room. A few days alone will teach her to confess."

Two household guards seized Julia and began dragging her away. Everett saw her bloodless face and flinched. "Mother, wait—"

"She will only be confined long enough to reflect. Wrongdoing requires consequences."

Julia looked at Everett. "I told you I had nothing to do with this."

Everett turned his back. "If you did wrong, accept the punishment. I'll bring you out when you've reflected."

The final hidden hope Julia had carried for him disappeared.

They threw her into the narrow discipline room behind Warden House. Each day she curled beneath the tiny barred window and watched a small square of daylight move across the wall.

Three days passed without one visit from Everett. The food left outside had spoiled, and Julia could not force herself to eat. She watched the light and prayed for time to move faster.

On the fourth night, someone tapped against the outer wall.

"Now you understand who matters to Everett. You were never going to defeat me."

Lydia's satisfied voice slipped through the barred opening. Julia managed a weak smile and refused to argue.

"Don't think silence will save you. I'm never giving you another chance at my husband. Die in there, Julia."

Lydia pushed burning straw through the opening. Fire spread across the dry floor. Julia crawled to the door and pounded until her hands split, but no one answered.

She no longer knew how much time had passed when the door crashed inward.

"We are with Project 403. The research schedule moved forward, and transport leaves tonight. Intelligence will record you as a casualty of this fire so your public identity can be sealed."

A station officer supported Julia into the waiting vehicle. Once clear of the flames, she dragged air into her lungs.

The truck began moving. Firelight receded in the mirror, and Julia finally lost consciousness. Just before darkness took her, the corner of her mouth lifted.

From that moment on, she had another life.

Goodbye, Everett. For good.