Page 70 of The Caged Girl

“I know, but I need to get him out of here and back to his mother. The others…we don’t know who they belong to, but we know his mother is some famous influencer who is actively looking for him. We can hide him on the plane, and then you’ll leave without Declan.”

I opened my arms and hugged Sage. “Listen to me. This is the moment that you have real purpose in your life. This is the moment you aren’t the caged girl, the favorite girl, or any label that’s been forced on you. You can save a child, yourself, and…”

“It’s ready.” His voice had me flinging around. Bradley was standing there with his hands behind his back.

“Thank you, Bradley.” I nodded. “Sage, promise me you’ll go through with this.”

Sage looked at me with clear panic and fear radiating through her body. She was the woman that felt lost and walked into the wrong arms. She was trafficked and sold to a man almost triple her age to be an obedient wife to.

She looked down at the ground. “I can.”

“The golf cart will take you to your private plane. I’ll be there soon with…the package.” I looked at Bradley.

“Please let me guide you to your ride, Mrs. Rothschild. I just need one moment with Mrs. Ivory.”

Sage raced over to me once more and threw her arms around me. “Fuck the patriarchy,” I whispered into her ear.

I could hear the smile when she replied, “I get to be a part of something that I want to be a part of, and I didn’t realize how meaningful that is. I hope I can see you soon, Demi, and not through a cage or a glass box.”

Pulling from me, I looked at her. “Goodbye, Sage.” I knew that would be the last time I saw her. My time here was going to dwindle away very quickly.

“Demi, I’m proud of you. I know that what you’re trying to do is making a small difference in something so out of control. Mix this into Declan’s drink. It’s not the one I gave you all that time ago when you tried to kill me; this one will kill him in sixty seconds.”

Bradley lifted a necklace with a pendant designed as a cake. It looked like a pink wedding cake.

“It’ll be a piece of cake.” He winked at me before wrapping me in a warm hug.

Nodding, I brushed my hands against the locket and opened it.

I saw a large white pill and smiled back at him. “It’ll be a piece of cake.”

Bradley and Sage walked away together into the darkness, where only the moonlight was their guide.

I quickly made my way back inside. Alister assumed I was going down to the Euphoria floor, but he didn’t realize I was wearing all white. I had to find out where they were housing the children.

This gave me hope, knowing I still had parts of my own soul left. I wasn’t evil, even with the thoughts racing through my mind. I could fight them and remember who I was. Who I am.

The resort was crowded, and I made my way to the half-moon, all-white marble bar. A man who looked almost plastic smiled at me with his blonde hair covered in gel and his green eyes glistening.

“Mrs. Ivory, we are serving coconut margaritas tonight. Would you care for one?” I looked around and noticed all the women, who must have checked in tonight, were excitedly chatting with one another and sipping the white concoction.

The stunning chandeliers hung all through the entrance of the resort and light classical music echoed throughout the space.

“Yes, please,” I said, knowing I needed to create my own alibi. I smiled and grabbed the drink from the bartender, who had his name scribbled on his badge. “Thank you, Lionel.” I took a sip and winced at how strong it was.

“What are your plans for the evening, Mrs. Ivory?” Lionel asked me.

“I’m going to drink this, grab some sushi, and then go back home for a nice soak in the tub. How about you, Lionel?” I leaned against the bar and grinned at him, causing him to blush.

“Mr. Ivory allows all employees one movie ticket every quarter, so I’d love to catch a live-action film.”

A pit in my stomach grew. “Of course, as you should.” I placed my glass down and yawned. “I’m off to have some food and me-time. Goodnight.” I patted his hand and quickly turned away. I squinted at the sign with the resort map.

Shaking my head, I went back to the front desk and cleared my throat. “Marisha?” I looked at the girl who I knew was a nightingale, but she now had blonde hair and bleached eyebrows.

“I got promoted to come back up.” She sounded relieved. “Thank you, Mrs. Ivory!” she sang out.

“But I didn’t do anything…” I questioned.

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