Fiona’sposure cracked. The memories surged up, and she buried her face in her hands. Andrew set down his fork with a heavy sigh.

Ste’s voice was ice. “This is pointless. In Dusty Pines, I ate once a day, if I was lucky. The doctor warned me: jumping straight to three meals would wreck my system. I’m supposed to start with two, small portions. I can’t eat this. Excuse me.”

She pushed back her chair to leave.

Eleanor’s heart constricted with a sharp, stabbing pain. All Ste had wanted was to sit with them, and now Max had twisted it into some petty grudge.

She watched Ste limp toward the stairs, guilt choking her. She wanted to beg Ste to stay. But what right did she have? None of them truly understood what Ste had endured.

Max mmed his fork down. “Ste, must you ruin everyone’s meal? You’ve got a tongue-use it before we sit down. We’re not mind readers. Or do you expect us to drop everything to cater to your moods?”

Ste didn’t turn. The only sound was her slow, unsteady footsteps.

Max opened his mouth again, but Eleanor stopped him. “That’s enough.” Eleanor’s voice cracked like a whip. “One more word, Max, and you’ll leave this table.”

Jaw clenched, Max stabbed at his food. ‘Acting. All of it. She wouldn’t be happy until we’re all drowning in guilt. But he knew better than to argue with Eleanor.

*****

After dinner, Eleanor turned to Max and asked when Martin would arrive. Max shrugged indifferently. “No idea.”

Eleanor frowned. “Is that any way to answer?”

Fiona nudged him under the table, a silent warning to mind his tone.

Sighing, Max pulled out his phone to call Martin, just as a servant stepped in to announce his arrival.

The Hayes family had always put their faith in traditional medicine, and Martin was one of the best. His schedule was usually packed, making appointments hard toe by.

Eleanor rose to greet him warmly. “Dr. Dewitt, we’re so grateful you could make the time to see us in person.”

Martin smiled kindly, “After hearing about her condition, I couldn’t say no. Poor girl, she’s been through so much. Since I had a free moment, I thought I’de myself.”

“Then we won’t keep you waiting. She’s upstairs. We can have here down.” Eleanor motioned for a servant to fetch Ste.

But Martin shook his head. “I’ll go up. I’ve treated others like her before, and they were all…” He trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

Eleanor’s heart ached. Ever since Ste had returned, she’d hidden beneath long sleeves and pants, refusing to let anyone see whaty beneath. Eleanor had tried, but Ste always dodged her concern. She knew Ste was just trying to spare her the pain.

She said, “We really appreciate this, Dr. Dewitt.”

Martin smiled again, “I can’t promise miracles, but I’ll do everything I can.”

“Of course. Right this way.” Eleanor gestured toward the stairs, letting Martin lead the way.

The family was about to head upstairs when a servant hurried in. “Mr. Hayes, there’s a document for you.”

“Document?” Max frowned, as if he couldn’t recall what it might be. The servant handed it over.

Fiona paused. “What is it?”

Max unfolded the papers, and the room fell still. Official documents usually went to his office-getting one at home was unusual, and the air grew tense, thick with unease.

Fiona and Andrew exchanged nces as Max’s expression darkened. “Max? What’s wrong?”

His voice was tight. “A police report. About Ste’s disappearance.”

Anna moved closer, curiosity getting the better of her.

Eleanor shot an apologetic nce at Martin. “Sorry, would you mind giving us just a moment?”

“Of course. Take your time,” Martin said.

As Eleanor stepped forward, Fiona quickly tried to take the report. “Let’s focus on Ste’s health first. This can wait.”

But Anna had already started reading aloud. “The kidnapper realized keeping me in the country was too risky, so he took me

toward the border.

“I didn’t recognize the area, but I knew if I left, I might nevere back. I fought, but he overpowered me. He drugged me, shoved me into a car. I’ve watched this on TV and felt something wrong-”

Fiona cut in sharply, “Anna, stop. Dr. Dewitt’s time is valuable. We can read thister.”

“No. Let her finish.” Eleanor’s voice was firm. If they didn’t hear it now, she feared they’d never be allowed to see it again.

Anna hesitated, but at Fiona’s reluctant nod, she continued, her voice trembling. “They took me to the Middle-South Yaria region. I tried to escape, but they shocked me with batons and beat me.

“Some men tried to rape me. I told them I had AIDS. They didn’t believe me, but they were too scared to take the chance. Still, I couldn’t get away. They dragged me somewhere worse. I just wanted to go home.

“I didn’t care that my parents hadn’t chosen me. I just prayed they’d find me. They tested me. When they saw I didn’t have AIDS, a few men still… I refused. So they punished me. They cut out one of my kidneys-no anesthesia. Even now, I remember the pain-”

Anna broke off, tears streaming down her face. Fiona, who had tried to stop this, was now sobbing uncontrobly, “My daughter lost a kidney? I don’t even know about this.”

Max’s grip on the paper turned white-knuckled.

Even Martin, a stranger to the family, looked shaken, his face etched with pity.

Eleanor swayed, lightheaded, but her eyes caught the next lines. It read: [Their medical tools were filthy. My wound got infected. I burned with fever for three days. They thought I’d die and were ready to dump my body.

But I survived. Somehow, I felt stronger after. Like death wasn’t ready for me yet. So I nned my escape. It didn’t go

perfectly, but I got out. Only to end up somewhere even worse.]