Page 89 of The Manor of Dreams

AUGUST 1990

ADAbacked away from the library door. She bolted up the stairs and nearly ran into Rennie, who was just leaving her room.

Rennie started after her. “Jie Jie—”

Ada ignored her and continued to her room. She’d thought that Ma had been scolding Sophie again about their relationship. Ada had been poised at the door, ready to stand up to her mother for once and defend Sophie. But they hadn’t been talking about Ada at all. Their voices were muffled, but she could make out Sophie’s pleading tone and her mother’s own stony responses.

Everything will be fine. Do as I say. We keep this to ourselves.

Ada paced her bedroom for what seemed like hours. It was dark out when she finally walked back down the stairs and snuck across the large foyer.

The light was on in Sophie’s room, and there was a rustling and muted clatter from within.

Ada knocked. “Sophie?”

It went quiet. Ada tried to open the door, but it was locked.

“Sophie, what’s going on?”

“Go away.”

“Sophie—”

The door suddenly flung open. Sophie looked around wildly and put her finger to her lips.

Ada glanced past her into the room. Drawers were overturned. Abag was open on the floor. She pushed inside. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”

“Don’t tell anyone.”

“You’re—leaving?”

Sophie stood with her arms crossed, wearing a tank top and jean shorts, her chest heaving. Sweat dripped down her forehead.

“What did Ma tell you? What were you two talking about? Is she making you leave?”

“No. She doesn’t know I’m going.”

“What about your parents? You’re just going to leave them?”

Sophie went back to shoving clothes into her duffle. “I don’t want them to come with me.”

“And what aboutme?”

Finally, Sophie stopped. Her eyes were red from crying, and Ada wanted to hold her. But she knew Sophie wouldn’t let her.

Ada whispered, “Do you hate me?”

Sophie’s eyes welled. “How could I hate you? I love you.”

The air between them stilled.

Ada took in a small breath.Oh.She reached out and laced her fingers through Sophie’s, elated by her confession. “Then we’ll figure something out. We’ll reason with Ma.”

Sophie’s fingers clamped around Ada’s wrist. “You don’t understand. Your mother wants me dead.”

Ada frowned. “What?”

“Listen. You’re not going to believe me. But someone has to know the truth. I’ll tell you, and you’ll let me go. I’ll disappear out of your life forever. Okay?”

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