Not the vase. It was Gwen’s. The one she made in school, the one she’d painted with her tiny hands and won first prize for. My Gwen’s masterpiece. Gone.
Red flared in my vision. I shoved Nadine back, my voice breaking. “What the hell is wrong with you? I told you not to help me!”
She staggered back and immediately screamed, louder than necessary. “Leandro!”
Footsteps thundered down the hall. Leandro burst in, his eyes narrowing at the scene. “What’s happening?”
“I was just trying to help her pack,” Nadine said quickly, her voice trembling like a victim. “I didn’t mean to. The vase fell—and she pushed me.”
My chest heaved. “She knocked it over! I told her not to touch my things—”
Leandro’s glare sliced into me. “Over a vase? Are you serious? What’s wrong with you?”
I stared at him, incredulous. “That vase was Gwen’s! She made it—”
“And why are you packing?” His voice grew harder, suspicion twisting his features. “Seriously, Emerald? Was this your plan? To run away? Is it because you found out I agreed to send half the ransom?”
My breath stopped. “You… you agreed to send half?”
“Yes.” He sneered. “And now you’re pretending you didn’t know? Don’t lie to me. You’re running.”