Chapter 2

Dawn had not fully broken yet. A dull gray light seeped through the cracks of the window.

I struggled to lift the wooden tub packed with the family's dirty clothes and headed for the river. Before leaving, I crouched down and gently straightened Noah's collar.

"Noah," I said softly, "Mom is leaving this mountain today. Will you come with me?"

He blinked at me, then a sly smile spread across his face. "Okay. I want to go outside the mountain with Mom and buy lots and lots of candy."

I patted his head and lowered my voice. "Remember this: I'll take the small path at the east end of the village. After I leave, you sneak over by yourself. I'll be waiting for you there."

He nodded hard, his eyes shining.

I lifted the heavy tub and walked straight to the river. The water was icy, numbing my hands until they burned red. I scrubbed the clothes on autopilot, but my heart was pounding wildly in my chest.

Not long after, the village burst into noisy commotion. Shouts rang out, footsteps rushed past. It was clear that Ruth and Liam had rallied the villagers and were coming after me.

By the time the sun had climbed high, Ruth and Liam came marching toward the river with a crowd behind them. Ruth was gripping a shovel.

The moment she spotted me, she screamed, "Dorothy! You shameless bitch. You still dared to run off with my precious grandson?"

I jumped to my feet and wiped the sweat from my face. "Mother? What are you talking about? I don't understand a word you're saying."

My old clothes were soaked through, my fingers stiff from the cold. I hurriedly grabbed the sleeve of Evelyn Crowley beside me. "I told Evelyn last night I'd come here to wash clothes this morning."

Evelyn pursed her lips before saying, "Ruth, Dorothy works herself to the bone day and night for your whole family. And you're still not satisfied?"

Evelyn's own daughter-in-law had also been abducted and was still locked in the woodshed every day. She would never help a trafficked woman escape.

Ruth eyed me suspiciously, muttering under her breath. "That can't be right. Noah wouldn't lie to me."

I pointed at Liam standing nearby. "Ruth, I gave Liam a son. Where could I possibly run to?

"I've thought it through. A woman marries the man she ends up with, for better or worse. My roots are now in the Barrett family.

"I just want to serve you and Liam properly and raise Noah. Why would I have any other thoughts?"

After a morning commotion, seeing that I had not run at all and was calmly washing clothes, the villagers gradually dispersed. I carried the heavy laundry back with Ruth and Liam. The moment we entered the yard, Ruth yanked Noah into a corner. I hid behind the wall and heard her harsh voice drill into him.

"You little brat! You dare lie to me. Dorothy didn't run at all. Were you lying just to trick candy out of me?"

Faced with Ruth's furious interrogation, Noah froze. The candy in his mouth suddenly tasted like nothing.

He blurted out, "Grandma is stupid. Mom said once she fooled you, she'd take me to the city and live in a big house. She said you're all country bumpkins and not fit to be my family."

Ruth shook with rage. She grabbed a broom and lashed it down on him. "So, you lied to me; you're daring enough to betray your own family."

In the past, I would have rushed forward without hesitation, shielding Noah with my body. This time, I stood quietly behind the wall, listening as his cries grew louder and sharper.

Good. The first step of the plan was complete.