Chapter 4 - Sarah Arrives Early
Sarah stepped into the apartment wearing a cream-colored suit and carrying a black leather handbag.
She looked first at Emily.
Then at Ruth.
Her smile did not reach her eyes.
“Cleaning day?”
Ruth lowered her head and pushed the cart toward the kitchen.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Sarah closed the door behind her.
“I don’t remember approving one.”
Emily moved between them.
“Michael arranged it.”
“Did he?”
Sarah set her handbag on the console table.
She was Michael’s older sister, though strangers often assumed she was younger. Her appearance was polished with almost clinical precision. Her blond hair never moved out of place. Her nails were always the same pale pink. Even her anger seemed rehearsed.
Sarah walked past Emily and glanced into the bedroom.
“What happened in there?”
“I was looking for something.”
“The yellow blanket?”
Emily said nothing.
Sarah smiled.
“Michael told me you’d lost it.”
“Where is it?”
“Safe.”
“It belongs to me.”
“Everything in this apartment belongs to the Carter family.”
Ruth continued wiping the kitchen counter, but Emily noticed the phone hidden beneath a folded cloth on the cart.
It was recording.
Sarah turned toward her.
“You can go.”
Ruth looked up.
“I haven’t finished.”
“Yes, you have.”
“I was instructed to clean the bathroom.”
Sarah reached into her handbag.
Emily’s pulse quickened.
But Sarah removed only a folded hundred-dollar bill.
She placed it on the cart.
“Take the rest of the day off.”
Ruth looked at Emily.
The smallest shake of Emily’s head told her not to resist.
Ruth accepted the money.
As she passed Emily, she whispered, “Four o’clock.”
Then she left.
The apartment door locked behind her.
Sarah poured herself a glass of water.
“You shouldn’t trust strangers.”
“She wasn’t a stranger.”
Sarah stopped drinking.
Emily instantly regretted the words.
Sarah set the glass down.
“Who was she?”
“A cleaner.”
“You just said she wasn’t a stranger.”
“I’ve seen her in the building before.”
Sarah studied her for several seconds.
Then she smiled again.
“Pregnancy is exhausting. It makes people confused.”
“I’m not confused.”
“Of course not.”
Sarah walked into the living room and sat on the sofa.
“Come sit with me.”
Emily remained standing.
Sarah patted the cushion beside her.
“We need to discuss tonight.”
“I’m not attending the dinner.”
“You are.”
“My doctor told me to rest.”
“Your doctor works for us.”
“That doesn’t mean you own me.”
Sarah’s smile disappeared.
“No. The contract does.”
Emily felt the baby move again.
“What contract?”
“The one you signed before your procedure.”
“I didn’t sign anything.”
“You signed several forms.”
“I was sedated.”
“Then perhaps you should be more careful about what you agree to.”
Emily stared at her.
Sarah leaned back.
“The family trust becomes active when the child is born. Michael wants you protected.”
“He wants control.”
“He wants stability.”
“He prepared papers to have me declared mentally ill.”
Sarah’s eyes narrowed.
Emily knew she had revealed too much.
“Where did you see those?”
“In Michael’s desk.”
Sarah stood.
“You’ve been going through private documents?”
“They have my name on them.”
“You should have waited for Michael to explain.”
“Explain why his medical file says he can’t have children?”
The room went still.
Sarah’s face remained composed, but her right hand tightened around the water glass.
Emily continued.
“Explain why he entered the fertility wing while I was unconscious?”
Sarah set the glass down carefully.
“You have no idea what you saw.”
“I saw enough.”
“No, Emily. You saw exactly what someone wanted you to see.”
“Dr. Monroe?”
Sarah flinched.
It was subtle.
But Emily saw it.
“You know he contacted me.”
“I know he was unstable.”
“Where is he?”
“I have no idea.”
“You’re lying.”
Sarah stepped closer.
“You need to understand something. Daniel Monroe became obsessed with our family. He stole medical records. He manipulated footage. Then he disappeared before the police could question him.”
“Why didn’t I hear about any investigation?”
“Because the board protected the hospital from scandal.”
“Or because he found out what you did to me.”
Sarah’s eyes turned cold.
“You were given a gift.”
Emily’s blood ran cold.
“What did you say?”
Sarah seemed to realize the mistake.
She turned away.
Emily followed her.
“What gift?”
Sarah opened her handbag.
Inside, Emily saw the corner of a small white bottle.
“Sit down,” Sarah said.
Emily stepped back.
“What is that?”
“A treatment.”
“For what?”
“Your skin.”
“My skin is fine.”
“Michael thinks you should look your best tonight.”
Emily looked at the clock.
Nine forty-three.
Ashley would not be outside until four.
The old phone was hidden in the bathroom vent.
If she could reach it, she could send the signal.
Emily forced herself to breathe slowly.
“I need to shower first.”
Sarah looked toward the hallway.
“I’ll help you.”
“That isn’t necessary.”
“I insist.”
Emily walked toward the bathroom, aware of Sarah behind her.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
When they entered, Emily saw the vent above the sink.
The phone was less than two feet away.
May you like
Sarah closed the door.
Then she locked it.
