LOVING HER TOO LATE

CHAPTER 5

Chapter 5

SAVANNAH'S pov

Sienna blinked her eyes in disbelief at me as though I had suddenly grown an extra head. My one-sentence phone call amazes her.

My mind spirals uncontrollably while I clutch my phone with increasing pressure. Today marks the second occasion I’ve begun to doubt my own strategy. I just want to stop being hurt. Is that too much to ask? I want to take my ticket and exit so I can leave all of this chaos behind me. But I can’t. My presence is mandatory at Mom’s side whenever she requires a blood transfusion. That’s what I’m here for. Their walking blood supply.

I beg God to ensure this phone call doesn't relate to my message for Ethan.

My mind races between the possibilities of Mom's injury and Ethan's betrayal. The situation I want remains unclear to me.

“Looks like I won’t be able to leave today after all,” I sigh while speaking to Sienna but can’t finish my apology as I add “I need you to take me back.” I need you to take me back.”

Sienna throws herself at me bursting into my space with her excitement practically vibrating through her body. “That was him? What did he say? Do you guys always call each other that way?

With Mr. Callahan? Always.

My so-called father never loved me. Since I began to remember my existence he consistently displayed towards me nothing other than icy contempt. The truth revealed why I never understood his behavior. I was adopted. Lillian deserves my thanks for teaching me how I discovered my adoption status.

“Sav, don’t stress too much. Sienna quickens her pace while giving me a quick look and reassures me that Mrs. Callahan is alright.

I manage a half-hearted, “Yeah, thanks.”

I can't tell them "I know" or "I hope so" because if Mom isn’t hurt then the only family member who ever showed me warmth deceived me. I swore to escape after Mrs. Callahan dragged me back into hell.

I don’t want to think about this possibility but if something serious happened to Mr. Callahan’s wife he wouldn’t simply give me a brief response. Had anything serious occurred to Mrs. Callahan he would have dispatched guards to retrieve me.

I examine my flight ticket while my fingers fold it three times before I tear it into hundreds of pieces then throw them out the window. I never truly had the ability to decide between the potential of freedom and the reality of my nightmare.

I can buy another ticket. But I will never buy my freedom.

I actually thought I could leave. As Lillian is now in good health I no longer need to donate blood every time she experiences a minor injury.

How stupidly naive was I?

Mom, I’m sorry, but... I hope you really are hurt. So I don’t have to lose you. Please don’t lie to me. Not you, too.

The sight of Sienna arriving at Harrington Manor confirms my wish was not fulfilled.

A grand party sprawls across the estate. The lavish party thrown for Lillian's homecoming celebration remains lively with happy attendees who enjoy music and laughter.

They knew I was at the airport. That’s why they called.

Ethan told them after all. Hearing his one word would have made me stay for him even though he believed he had some twisted version of love. But he wouldn’t even do that. He let them stop me instead.

Ethan Kingston. Good for you.

I step into the mansion. The mansion was where I lived before but never managed to feel like my real home.

I notice him when I walk past the pool. Ethan. He wore a sharp black suit and placed his leather shoes carefully away from the splashing children. He lounges beneath an umbrella while holding a drink and sits across from Lillian.

He sees me. He frowns deeply between his brows and then immediately diverts his gaze.

Figures.

Walter, the butler approaches me as soon as I enter the lobby. Miss Savannah your presence has been requested by Mr. Callahan in his study.

I tilt my head. “I thought Mom was injured.”

Walter averts his eyes and speaks with a measured tone. “Mr. Callahan is expecting you.”

He’s just a butler. A paid tool, like me. No point in making his job harder.

I nod. “Lead the way.”

Walter performs a slight bow and pivots on his heel before he escorts me through the well-known corridors. This hallway was my childhood path and yet my least desired route.

When I walk into the room Mr. Callahan gives me minimal recognition while he keeps his focus on the file he holds. Savannah, Nathaniel Brooks will direct your film according to Mr. Callahan's announcement. Production starts Monday.”

Nathaniel Brooks. The golden boy of filmmaking. All the scripts Nathaniel Brooks works on become successful productions.

He tries to bribe me into silence by asking how my mom is doing but I simply ignore him which annoys him.

The file clamps firmly in his grasp while his jaw moves as he finally raises his eyes. “She’s resting. You shouldn’t disturb her.”

He brought me back under false pretenses about her with no effort to make the story believable.

“And if I don’t listen?”

His gaze hardens. Do you choose the simple path or the—

I say with defiance 'We'll take the difficult path' and inside me the final strand of control breaks.