Chapter 7
Marcus grips the Range Rover's wheel like he's about to rip it off. Vincent sits next to him, staring straight ahead with that look he gets when someone's about to get fired. In the back seat, Elena keeps hitting redial on her phone while Stella adjusts her makeup in the mirror.
"Still nothing," Elena says, her voice tight. "Her phone's been dead for hours."
Stella clicks her compact shut. "I warned you guys. All those years on the streets messed with Ruby's head. She's probably learned to disappear when things get tough."
"Twenty-five years," Vincent mutters, his jaw working. "Twenty-five years we've bent over backwards for that girl. And this is what we get?"
"She's about to learn what happens when you disrespect this family," Marcus says, taking the turn into Ryan's driveway harder than necessary.
The mansion sits dark against the evening sky. Most of the windows are black, like nobody's home. Just as we're getting out, Ryan's Porsche tears past us, music blasting. He's heading out to celebrate his perfect performance.
Vincent pulls out the spare key I'd given him months ago. Back when I still thought family meant something.
"Ruby!" Stella's voice echoes through the empty foyer. She strides in like she owns the place, her heels clicking on the marble. "Come on out, honey! We need to talk!"
I drift behind them, watching my family march into my tomb like they're here to collect a debt.
Stella heads straight for the stairs. "Ruby! Stop playing hide and seek! We know you're here somewhere!"
"Down here's empty," Marcus calls from the kitchen. He's opening cabinets, checking behind the island like I might be crouched there like a kid.
Vincent walks through the study, his eyes scanning everything. "Office too. But all her stuff's here."
Stella's voice carries from upstairs. "She's definitely hiding! Probably feels guilty about what she's been pulling!"
Elena stops in the middle of the living room, wrapping her arms around herself. "Something's off. If Ruby went out, why are all the lights off? Why does it feel like nobody's been here for days?"
"Because she's messing with us," Vincent snaps. "Trying to make us think she's gone so we'll give up and leave. Well, she's got another think coming."
They tear through the house room by room. Bathrooms, closets, guest bedrooms. Their voices get louder, more frustrated with each empty space.
I follow them through my own house, watching them search for a ghost. The irony would be funny if it wasn't so heartbreaking.
"What about down here?" Vincent points to the gym door. "Ryan was showing off his new setup earlier."
Marcus pushes the door open. Afternoon light streams across the equipment, highlighting every piece of Ryan's torture chamber.
"Wow," Stella breathes, already distracted by the shiny machines. "This stuff must have cost a fortune. No wonder Ryan looks so good."
That's when Elena hears it. A tiny sound from the corner, barely louder than breathing.
"What was that?"
Marcus follows her gaze to a big prop box that's shaking slightly. "Something's in there."
He lifts the lid, and everyone goes dead quiet.
Lily sits curled up inside like a broken doll. Her face is hollow, her hair matted, her clothes hanging off her tiny frame. She's been wearing the same outfit for three days, and it shows.
"Lily?" Elena drops to her knees. "Baby, what are you doing in there? Where's your mama?"
Lily looks up with eyes that have seen way too much. "Grandma?"
"Come here, sweetheart." Elena reaches for her, but Lily shrinks back like a scared animal.
Then my baby does the bravest thing she's ever done. She points a shaking finger at the punching bag hanging in the center of the room.
"Mommy's in there," she whispers. "Daddy put Mommy in the bag."
Stella snorts. "Oh, please. This is exactly the kind of crap Ruby would teach her. Using a three-year-old to lie for sympathy? That's low, even for her."
"Are you kidding me?" Vincent's voice goes sharp. "She's got her own kid playing games now?"
Elena tries to coax Lily out. "Honey, Mommy just went out for a while. She'll be back."
But Lily shakes her head hard, tears streaming down her face. "No! Mommy's dead! Daddy hurt Mommy and stuffed her in there! I saw it!"
"Listen to this," Stella says, like she's watching a bad soap opera. "Ruby's actually got this poor kid saying these horrible things. What kind of mother does that to her child?"
Marcus and Vincent exchange looks. They're buying it completely.
"Ruby's really lost it this time," Marcus mutters.
Lily gets more desperate. "Please! You have to get her out! Mommy's in the bag!"