I couldn’t stay here any longer. All I needed was to buy back my father’s painting at the upcoming auction—then I’d take my brother and leave.
When I opened my eyes again, the sting of antiseptic filled my nose.
Mr. Brown, the butler, sat by my bed holding a thermos. “Ma’am, you fainted yesterday. I brought you here. This is your favorite oatmeal—eat it while it’s hot.”
I took it from him, my fingers icy. Brown was the only one in the Hayes family who still showed me kindness.
I pulled out my phone and opened the visa app. The status read: “Under review. Expected approval in three days.”
I had planned to wait for the visa, then take my brother and leave this suffocating city.
Suddenly, the door burst open. Ryan stormed in, his eyes bloodshot as he clutched my throat. His voice was savage, almost feral. “Sophia’s missing! Was it you? Did you kidnap her out of jealousy?”
“I didn’t…” My throat tightened under his grip, choking me.
“Didn’t?” He slammed me against the wall, shoving his phone in my face.