LOGINCASSYBelow the headline, there are photos of me at The Gilded Cage on my knees, wearing the collar. Looking at the camera with an expression that looks like desire.My face is clearly visible and my name is in the article."Oh my god," I whisper.Sienna takes the tablet back. "It gets worse."She scrolls down. The article talks about Emily, about her suicide. About Sienna buying her from The Gilded Cage and the "pattern" of Sienna targeting vulnerable women who look alike.And then it talks about me.-Cassy Beaumont, 26, daughter of disgraced businessman Marcus Beaumont, entered into a year-long "service contract" with Vale after her family's empire collapsed. Sources close to the situation describe the arrangement as "psychological abuse disguised as consensual employment." Beaumont currently lives in Vale's Tribeca penthouse, where she is allegedly kept under strict control…-"He published it," I say… my voice cracked. "He actually published it.""I'm already on it," Sienna says. S
CASSYThe elevator doors close on my mother. She's crying, looking at me like I've betrayed her."You'll regret this," she says as the doors slide shut. "When she destroys you, you'll wish you'd listened to me."Then she's gone. I lean against the wall and Delilah wraps her arms around me."Jesus," she breathes. "That was intense. She actually thought we'd go with her. Delusional.""She's our mother.""She's a narcissist who abandoned us," Delilah corrects. "And I'm glad she's gone.""Me too."Five minutes later, I hear the elevator. The doors open and Sienna steps out.She's still in her travel clothes, she looks exhausted. But when her eyes find mine, everything else fades away.She moves to hug me then she's kissing me. Deep and desperate like she's been drowning and I'm air. When she finally pulls back, we're both breathing hard."Hi," she says."Hi."She touches my throat. Where the collar used to be."You really took it off.""I really did.""And?""And I'm still here," I say. "
DAY TWO - AFTERNOONCASSYDaniel Ross won't stop trying to contact me. I've blocked his number, but he keeps calling from new ones, he's even leaving voicemails."Cassy, we need to talk. I have more information.""Sienna is dangerous. Every day you stay with her is a day closer to ending up like Emily."I delete them all but then an email comes through.Subject: FINAL WARNINGCassy,I know you think you've uncovered the truth. That Sarah and Grace were fabricated and that your mother is behind this.You're right, though that doesn't mean Sienna is innocent.Emily Richardson was REAL and she's dead because of Sienna Vale. How many more girls have to die before you walk away?This is your last chance. Meet me tomorrow. 3 PM. Same place.Or I go public with everything. Including the photos from The Gilded Cage. Your face. Your name. Everything.The choice is yours.- DanielMy hands are shaking. He's threatening to expose me. To publish the photos of me collared and kneeling.I should te
CASSYI wake up on the couch. Delilah must have covered me with a blanket at some point during the night. The laptop is still open on the coffee table, frozen on the page showing the wire transfer from Singapore to Daniel Ross.Proof that my mother paid him to destroy Sienna. My phone is next to the laptop. Six new texts from Sienna, sent throughout the night, Hong Kong time.SIENNA: I found the payment. Your mother funded Daniel Ross. I'm tracking down more proof.SIENNA: I know you're asleep but I need you to know I'm handling this.SIENNA: I can't sleep. I keep thinking about that look on your face during the video call.SIENNA: Three more days. I know it feels like forever. But I'm coming home to you.SIENNA: I miss you.SIENNA: Morning check-in. I need to hear your voice.It's 7:50 AM here. Which means it's 8:50 PM there. She's probably in her hotel room, waiting. So I call her.She answers on the first ring. "Cassy." The relief in her voice is overwhelming."Hi," I say."Did you
CASSYI look at her face on the screen. At the fear in her eyes. The vulnerability I almost never see. Her pupils are dilated and huge, like she's terrified of losing me."I don't know," I say honestly."Then wait," she says. "Don't do anything. Don't talk to that journalist again or make any decisions. Just... wait for me. I'll finish this deal and come home and we'll figure this out together. Can you do that?""How long?""Three more days. Four at most. I'll cut it as short as I can.""And what am I supposed to do for three days?""You're supposed to trust me." Her voice softens. "Please, Cassy. I'm asking you to trust me. Even if you don't know if you can. Even if you're scared. Just... wait for me."I look at this woman who bought me, broke me, and made me hers. Who might have done the same thing to Emily Richardson. She might be lying to me right now or telling the truth."Okay," I whisper. "I'll wait.""Thank you." She closes her eyes. "I have to go. I have calls to make. I'll h
CASSYI make it back to the penthouse by eight-thirty. My hands are shaking so badly I can barely press the elevator button.Delilah is on the couch, halfway through another movie. She looks up when I walk in."Hey, how was your walk?" she asks. Then she sees my face. "Cass? What's wrong?""Nothing," I lie. "I'm just tired. I'm going to bed.""It's barely nine...""I'm tired, Delilah."I walk to the bedroom before she can ask more questions. Close the door and lock it.Then I sit on the edge of Sienna's bed… our bed and stare at the folder in my hands.Daniel Ross. Investigative journalist.-You're not the first.-The photos of those girls burned into my mind. Emily, Sarah and Grace. All of them had similar features like me. All of them were destroyed.I should throw this away. I should call Sienna right now and tell her what happened. Let her handle it.But what if it's true?What if I'm just another Emily? Another girl who fell in love with Sienna Vale and didn't survive it?My phon







