up Hunter’s spilled cereal and washed our dishes. Doing ordinary chores made me feel almost normal. If I blocked out the luxurious surroundings, I could even pretend I was back home.
My stomach was full but I still felt empty; there was a hole inside that only my family and friends could fill. So why didn’t I just call them? I had the house to myself; no one except Hunter knew I was awake.
So what was stopping me?
Fear and love, I realized, as I glanced up at a wall phone with illuminated buttons. My family and friends had suffered enough. Eventually I’d talk to them, but now was just too soon. It would only confuse and upset everyone more. I considered calling Eli — only I didn’t know his number.
I had no one to turn to and no place to go.
So I returned to Leah’s room.
And crawled back into the dark oblivion of sleep.
23
Sunlight stuck me in the face like a brutal assault.
“Rise and shine!” Angie said with cheerful venom as she opened blinds on each window. “I didn’t bother bringing your breakfast because you won’t bother eating it. I’m only here to pass on a message.”
I hid my face in my pillow.
“Your father is waiting for you in the dining room.”
I shut my eyes tight.
“You can’t hide in here forever.” Angie clicked her tongue. “But that’s your problem. I’ve done my job.”
Footsteps, and the door slammed. I listened for the sound of the lock, but there was none. Tugging my covers over my head, I disappeared into a dreamy void.
But my peace didn’t last long.
Heavy footsteps thudded. Then the door burst open with such force that I jumped up in bed, clutching the covers to my chest.
Mr. Montgomery loomed in the doorway, his expression furious.
“Your tantrum ends now.” He spoke with icy control. “Leah, we are going to talk. Privately.”
Angie smirked behind him in the hall before he shut the door and stepped inside the room. I wanted to hide, but that wasn’t an option. Trembling, I met Mr. Montgomery’s narrowed gaze.
“Leah, was there any reason why you ignored my breakfast invitation?”
I tried to look away, but his compelling voice snared me.
“You missed a delicious breakfast. No one makes omelets like Luis.” He actually smiled — way creepy. There was no hint of emotion or anger in his tone. He pulled a chair uncomfortably close to my bed. “So, what do you have to say for your childish behavior?”
I shook my head, not daring to utter a word.
“Leah, Leah,” he said with a shake of his head. “You disappoint me.”
Get used to it, I wanted to say. I avoided looking directly into his eyes. He was angry, so why didn’t he act like it? His faux-friendly smile scared me.
For good reason, I soon discovered.
“Now you’re going to tell me the truth.” He leaned closer. “Don’t lie. I want to know how you escaped from the pool yard. Did someone help you?”
I reached for my pillow to hide my face, but his steel-like arm snaked out and grabbed the pillow. He tossed it to the floor. “No more hiding in bed,” he said firmly. “I want to know exactly what happened yesterday.”
“It’s not important,” I murmured, relieved that he didn’t seem to know about Eli. We must have been out of range of the surveillance cameras.
“You will tell me — or else.” Mr. Montgomery glared at me with a controlled rage.
“There’s nothing to tell.”
His head tilted, as if confused by my behavior. I doubted many people dared to stand up to him, especially his own daughter. But threats meant nothing to me. Drained of hope or emotion, I just didn’t care. I’d already lost everything that mattered. I only wanted to numb myself back to sleep.
“If that’s how you want to play, that’s your choice. A very unwise choice,” he added ominously. “I’ve brought some light reading for you.”
I lifted my brows, only a little curious when he withdrew a paper from his pocket and shoved it into my hand.
The pamphlet showed a sprawling, rustic collection of buildings on spacious green grounds ringed with majestic oaks. A caption read:
A description of mental health treatments, in poetic language, masked the harsh reality of the “resort.” There were medical terms like “somatic therapies,” “electric shock,” and “psychosurgery.” I understood too well what this was all about, and why Mr. Montgomery was showing me the brochure. DeHaven was the punishment place for misbehaving teens, with prison walls more formidable than those surrounding the Montgomery estate.
“They have a room available for your immediate occupancy,” Mr. Montgomery added as I read the brochure.
“But I’m not sick.”
“Mental illness manifests in subtle forms. I’ve spoken with the director, and she’s quite sympathetic to our situation — especially when I described your depression.”
“I am not depressed!”
“How else can you explain your despondent behavior? Relentless crying, sleeping all day, not eating, inability to function normally.” He pressed his fingers together: smooth, pale fingers with shiny nails as if he regularly had manicures. “An extreme case of clinical depression.”
I tossed the pamphlet at him. “I won’t go.”
“That is not your decision to make. You’re a minor until your eighteenth birthday and as your concerned father, I decide whether you go back to school or are committed to the DeHaven Resort. It will be a difficult decision, but I’ll do what is necessary.” He smiled. “But I’m willing to discuss alternatives.”
I dug my fingers into the covers, struggling not to break down. The threat of being locked in a place for crazies was terrifying. I had no doubt Mr. Montgomery would do it.
“What do you want?” I asked, defeated.
His smile widened, chilling me. “First of all, you will eat your meals.”
I hesitated, then nodded.
“You will resume your exercise regime.”
Exercise? Every day? Horrors! But exercise was better than a straitjacket and electric shock treatment.
Reluctantly, I nodded.
“Also, you will accompany me to the banquet on Saturday evening.”
Another nod.
“Then, on Monday morning, you will return to school.”
“School? But I can’t!” Not when I looked like Leah. It would never work. Her friends would have expectations of me that I wouldn’t live up to. My friends would ignore me. And Chad would want to kiss me when I’d rather kiss his brother. Awkward!
“You will attend school,” Mr. Montgomery insisted. “I’m sure you miss your friends and, to show you what a nice guy I am, I’ll bend my rules and allow you to see one of your friends today. Jessica Bradley is a delightful girl and you know how much I respect her father. I’ve spoken to Jessica and she’s been collecting your homework assignments. She’ll be here with them, soon.”
He glanced down at the DeHaven pamphlet, waiting for me to respond.
I gulped, eyes glued to the pamphlet, weighing my options:
