20. Orla

CHAPTER 20

Iwatch as Kase and Alex walk on the lawn hand in hand. Alex looks so happy, and I feel defeated. I risked everything to trust Kase, hoping that the truth will inspire some act of grace or compassion from him but it meant nothing. I stand at the window and watch them go into the woods beyond the house where I begin to cry. Maybe if I head to their bedroom, I'll find car keys. If I can steal a car and get a head start, I stand a chance. I turn away from the window, but not before I see Kase emerge from the woods alone. He takes out his phone and moments later, his men are heading into the clearing. Kase comes into the house. I watch as the guys carry a lifeless Alex out of the woods and hurry away with his body. His car starts up shortly after and takes off.

I'm lying in bed watching TV for the first time in months when there's a knock at the door. Thinking that it's my dinner, I get up to unlock the door and Kase stands outside with my tray.

"Can I come in?" He asks. His eyes are heavy with grief.

"Are you ok?" I ask.

"After everything you've been through, how do you still find it inside yourself to be kind to me?" He asks. I don't have an answer.

"I don't know." I reply honestly.

"You don't have to worry about Alex anymore." He says and turns to leave.

"Kase." He turns back. "Thank you."

He nods and closes the door quietly behind him. I take the tray and settle back in front of the TV. Not bothering to lock the door. Uncovering the dishes to find chocolate mousse for dessert. I smile and have that first. I flick mindlessly through the channels, looking for something not heavy to watch, but a local news bulletin halts my channel surfing.

"The body of a man believed to be in his mid to late twenties was uncovered in the burned-out wreck of a car on the verge of the Shawnee River in Upstate New York. The man has yet to be identified and no foul play is suspected. Authorities believe that the young man may have swerved to avoid an animal causing his vehicle to careen off the bridge above and exploding on impact." In other news...

I turn off the TV and stare out of the open window. I leave my food and get up to sit and watch the stars in a moonless sky.

Iwake up in the morning and there's a knock at the door shortly afterwards.

"Come in."

"Morning Miss Orla." It's the first time that I hear the maid speak. "My name is Lydia. The master of the house has asked you to join him on the patio for breakfast if you'd like." She smiles, and it's the warmest smile I've known in months.

"Of course, please tell him I'll be down in a few minutes. I just need to get dressed." I say. She nods and turns to leave. "Lydia."

"Yes, Miss."

"Please, call me Orla."