r. Vanderbilt calle

tched around his eyes th

thing your parents wanted you to have when you cam

er across the

undred thous

t me like a p

The exact amount the ki

y, the ransom he'd tried to negotiate

ew?" I whispered

table. "We all knew, Sarah. Al

He'd played

hadn't felt before, beg

money. It was my parent

s my

oice surprisingly firm. "

ring in his eyes. "Of co

rp thing. I had to get out. Away from Ale

, I saw Alex i

, Sarah. For her things. You don't mind, do you?

led with seven years of

istress wa

er, being so close, of h

awed at

say, my voice tremb

get out

e way he discarded me,

key. My parents had

dn't stay here and let them

I would leave, and I

hat he represented, wa

handsome suit, and I h