Chapter 342
On her way back to class, Charlotte scrolled through her contacts and called Stella. After a few rings, a sweet, excited voice answered. “Charlotte!”
“Hey.” Charlotte’s lips curled into a gentle smile, and her eyes softened. “How’s it going lately?”
“Pretty good.” Stella answered with a laugh, and Charlotte could hear her scribbling away in the background. “Had a math test today. I got a 78. My tutor says if I keep this up for two more months, getting into college won’t be a problem.”
“When I’m better, I’ll go back to school with you. We’ll finally get to do what we promised all the kids at the sanatorium.” Her voice wavered, just a little.
Hearing that, Charlotte’s fingers tightened around her phone as she tried to swallow the cold anger rising inside her. She spoke softly. “If we want to make our dreams come true, I’ll have to work even harder.”
The weight she carried felt almost unbearable. She was holding on for dozens of lost friends.
Stella’s laugh was light and hopeful. “We’ll do it together, Charlotte. Things are going to get better.”
Charlotte blinked hard, her eyes suddenly burning. She managed a small smile. “Yeah. The world will get better. We owe it to them to live our best lives.”
After hanging up, Charlotte stood on the balcony, phone still in her hand. She closed her eyes, and memories flooded in. She saw Stella, battered and broken after a day and night of torture, her body covered in cuts. Even at the end, Stella had dragged herself toward the flames, trying to save the others, not knowing the rooms inside were already filled with bodies.
All those lives, gone in one night because of that twisted director. That’s why Charlotte had to protect Stella at all costs. Stella had been the first to show her kindness, back when Charlotte was barely conscious from the shock treatments. If the two of them made it, maybe the others could finally rest easy.
Outside Vanguard High School, a tall figure stood by a sports car, watching the entrance with calm, steady eyes.
“How much longer?”
“One minute, Anthony.” Hans didn’t even bother to check his watch
was the tenth time Anthony het
asked in five minutes.net>
“I heard Charlotte placed first in the country. Perfect scores in five subjects.”
“Really?” Anthony’s lips twitched as a smile broke through, softening his usually sharp features. “Lottie’s smart.”
“But Andrew didn’t do so hot
Anthony’s smile disappeared. “Maybe you should double-check if he’s really my brother.”
Hans kept quiet. They definitely looked related. Intelligence, though, that was questionable.
Just then, the school bell rang. A few minutes later, the person Anthony had been waiting for finally
appeared His mood would have
been perfect, if Andrew washt
tagging along.
“Anthony.” Andrew straightened up as soon as he saw him, voice careful.
Anthony barely glanced at his
brother before turning to Charlotte. His whole demeanor warmed. “Why ake you so late today? He reached” for her hand, guiding her toward the car
“Homework.” Charlotte leaned into him, letting him lead her, completely at ease.