Chapter 4 - The Missing MedicationThe next morning, Belle disappeared.
For twenty-three minutes.
Those twenty-three minutes nearly destroyed Harlan.
Security locked down the mansion.
Men searched every room.
I ran through the halls screaming her name.
Then I heard laughter.
Behind the greenhouse.
Belle was sitting on the ground with Mr. Buttons, her stuffed bear.
I dropped to my knees.
“Belle!”
She looked surprised.
“Why are you crying?”
I hugged her.
“Because you disappeared!”
“I was looking for flowers.”
Harlan arrived seconds later.
His face was terrifying.
He crouched in front of Belle.
“Never leave your room without telling someone.”
“But Rue said flowers were pretty.”
I glanced at him.
“I said that.”
He looked at me.
Then Belle.
“Both of you are impossible.”
For the first time, Belle laughed.
Harlan almost smiled.
Then his security chief approached.
“Boss.”
Harlan's expression changed.
“We found the sedan.”
“Where?”
“Three miles from the hospital.”
“And?”
“We traced the owner.”
He handed Harlan a photograph.
Harlan stared.
It was Victor.
My stomach dropped.
Harlan slowly looked toward the mansion.
“Get him.”
But Victor was already gone.
And so was something else.
Belle's medical file.
Someone had stolen it.
That evening, Harlan came into the kitchen.
I was making soup.
He stood silently.
“You're leaving.”
It wasn't a question.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because your world is dangerous.”
“So is mine.”
I looked at him.
“My life was difficult before you.”
“I know.”
“My apartment is gone.”
“I can fix that.”
“No.”
“You need somewhere safe.”
“I need to build my own life.”
He nodded.
Then he did something unexpected.
He placed a key on the table.
“To an apartment.”
I stared.
“Paid for six months.”
“I said no.”
“You can pay me back.”
“With what?”
“Work.”
I frowned.
“You're hiring me?”
“Belle trusts you.”
“That isn't a job qualification.”
“It is for me.”
I picked up the key.
And for the first time, I realized Harlan wasn't trying to buy me.
May you like
He was trying to protect someone he had begun to care about.
Maybe even me.
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