CHAPTER 10

That night, I waited until the house was asleep. Then I slipped out of my new room and down the back staircase. My heart was pounding like it wanted out of my chest. The halls were dark and quiet. But it did nothing to ease my nerves.

I found Dean waiting in the lowest level of the house, a second basement above the worker’s quarters. It was completely dark, and he stood in the dark, dressed down in black, with a flashlight in hand.

“You’re late,” he said.

“I had to avoid two guards and a camera loop.”

“You missed one.”

My stomach dropped.

He smirked. “I'm just joking.”

“How many times have you done this?”

Dean didn’t respond.He keyed in a code on an unmarked panel. A soft click echoed, then the wall shifted open — revealing a narrow stone tunnel behind it.

“You’ve got secret passages?” I asked in bewilderment.

“The tunnels were by my grandfather. Used for evacuations during union riots.”

“How historical of you.”

He started down the tunnel and I followed.

It was cold and narrow, lit only by his flashlight. Water dripped somewhere in the dark. The only sounds I could hear were our footsteps and my breathing, which I was trying hard to keep steady.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked.

Dean didn’t turn around. “Because you asked.”

“That’s it?”

“What other reason would there be?”

That shut me up. And I could feel him smirking without even seeing his face.

We walked through the tunnels for what seemed like an eternity, until finally, I saw light. We exited into an alley near a bus depot, where someone was waiting with a car for Dean. He thanked the man and told him we would be back in an hour. The world outside the Caldwell walls felt louder, harsher, more real and less controlled.

I was awfully quiet the entire car ride. And thankfully, Dean wasn’t much of a talker either.

My mind was flooded with a million questions.

What would I say to my family? How could I tell them that they would probably never see me again? How could I explain that I have changed my entire identity? That I wasn’t even called by their name anymore?

“Lani…”

What about Victor? What would he think?”

“Lani…”

Oh God. I should probably just go back. What was I even doing?

“Lani?”

I was broken out of my thoughts when Dean nudged me. I blinked furiously and tried to focus my vision.

“Yeah?” I answered.

“We’re here.” Dean said, eyeing me carefully. “Are you okay?”

I nodded. “Hmm hmm. Yes.”

He looked like he didn’t believe a word I was saying, but he didn’t push further. “I’ll wait here in the car. We only have fifteen minutes before we have to head back.”

I nodded and unbuckled my seatbelt. Fifteen minutes. That was all the time I had to explain to my family that I was leaving them.

I knocked once, quietly. Way too quiet for anyone to hear. But then the door opened, and Aria was staring at me.

She blinked. “What— what the hell—”

I stepped in and grabbed her into a hug before she could say anything else.

She stiffened. Then held on to me like her life depended on it.

“Is Mom—”

“Sleeping,” she said.

I let go.

She looked at me. “You’re on TV, Lani. Like… everywhere.”

“I know.”

“Lani?” Victor’s voice suddenly came from behind Aria. “Jesus, Lani. Is that really you?”

“Victor? What are you doing here?”

Aria sighed. “He’s been hiding out here. He can’t go back home because those men have been camping at his door for days.”

“Oh Victor,” I broke into tears as he dragged me into his arms. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

“What the hell is going on? You left without a word. What’s happening? I thought you were dead until I saw you on TV. You’re engaged to that Mason guy?”

“No.”

“Then what is it?”

I sat on the couch that was falling apart. “It’s a lie. They needed to cover a scandal. I’m the cover.”

Aria stared open-mouthed. “You’re kidding.”

I didn’t answer.

“You… kissed him? I saw the photos”

“He kissed me.”

Victor’s mouth twisted. “They can’t punish you for that!”

I looked down. “I know.”

Aria sat beside me. “Is this dangerous?”

“Yes. But I don’t have a choice. And maybe, maybe it’s for the best.”

Victor rubbed his face furiously. “What the hell does that mean? You’re not that person! You’re not Liana Vale. You’re Lani! My Lani!”

“Hey, listen to me you guys,” I took their hands in mine. “I can’t stay for long. I have to head back before they know that I sneaked out. But I’m doing this because I have to—”

“No…” Aria whispered.

“Hey, hey,” I wiped the stray tear that had fallen from her eye. “I’m okay. I promise. And you’re all going to be okay. I made a deal with them. If I have to do what they want, then they have to take care of you. Aria, you can finally go to a real doctor and properly fix your arm. You can get new art supplies and you would be able to focus on school. And mom doesn’t have to work so hard anymore. At least there’ll be food everyday.”

I turned to Victor. “And Victor doesn’t have to run anymore. They’re going to pay off your debt.”

His eyes widened and he tried to say something, but before he could, I heard my name from the doorway.

Dean.

“Lani, we have to leave now.”

Aria burst into tears. “No. No, please don’t go.”

I stood up and gritted my teeth. My eyes were burning with tears, but I wouldn’t let them pour. I kissed my sister's head and closed my eyes as I inhaled her scent. “I love you so much. So much. Please tell mom I came by. Tell her I’ll try to visit when I can. And tell her not to worry about me. And tell dad… that I love him too.”

Victor shook his head at me. “I thought you hated those people.”

The look on his face broke me. I knew he was disappointed. But he didn’t understand. How could he? I’d spent my whole life talking about how evil these people were, and now I was leaving my family for them.

“I’m sorry,” I mouthed as Dean led me back to the car.

We sat in silence for a minute, with him just staring at me and opening and closing his mouth. I didn’t wait for him to ask. I already knew what he was trying to say.

“Just drive.”