Page 23 of Cup of Lies

Except, in my memories, she doesn’t have dark hair like now.

The little girl was blond then, with sad blue eyes, clutching her Barbie doll.

Romy.

Not Calista, not my sister.

Just Romy.

Now, more than ever, I have to find out who Romy is, where she is, and how to get her back.

Romy

The rain is endless.

It’s also kept us from going to the lab this morning.

I’m antsy and eager to get out of this house that’s not my home. Freedom is so close I can almost taste it.

How I’m going to escape with me and Kaitlyn, while I’m headed for my third trimester in another week, and no vehicle to escape in is beyond my comprehension right now. All I know for sure is I’m not going to let this opportunity pass me by.

“I think the rain is finally letting up,” Seth says, approaching me from behind as I watch the rain run rivulets down the windowpane. “You about ready to go?”

His arms encircle me, and he nuzzles my neck. I want nothing more than to shove him away from me. I’m hardly able to stomach his touch.

And yet, I lean against him, playing the role of my lifetime.

This is truly terrifying.

I feel so alone with my thoughts and situation. The weight of responsibility to rescue Kaitlyn, too, is a lot on a woman who’s barely holding it together as is. Not to mention, time is of the essence. I’m pregnant. This baby will come sooner rather than later, and if I’m not out of Seth’s hold by then, I may never be able to leave.

“We should go to the mall with Kaitlyn,” I tell him as he rubs my belly. “Maybe see a movie or something. She’s going stir-crazy in the house with all this rain.”

He stiffens at my suggestion. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I want to scream at this man. It sickens me to know he screwed with my head to have me dumb and compliant until my recent awakening.

Sure, I could tell him all the reasons why it’s unhealthy to keep us locked away all day with no human interaction, but I’m on a razor-thin wire. One wrong step and I lose all progress.

“Maybe another time,” I say with false cheer.

“Get Kaitlyn ready. We’ll head out while there’s a lull in the rain.”

He smacks my bottom and then strides away. I curl up my lip in disgust but then quickly smooth out my features before finding Kaitlyn. She’s in her room, standing by her dollhouse, staring oddly at the Ken doll in her hand.

Something about the way she looks at it, terror flashing in her eyes, has my heart rate speeding up.

“Hey, sweetheart,” I say softly. “Everything okay?”

She drops the doll as if it’s burned her hand and she jerks her head my way. Her eyes are wide and brimming with tears.

Is her mind clearing too?

What does she remember? What does she know?

Slowly, I approach her, hoping she’s not about to freak out on me. I need her to play along until I can figure out a way for us to escape.

“Come here,” I murmur gently, hugging her to me. “I’ve got you, baby.”

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