Page 3 of Unbidden

“She left for a reason, Alice. I don’t care why, and I don’t plan to stay long enough to find out.”

“I get it. All I ask is that you give this a shot. Give our family a real shot. The reason Abagail left is a nonissue now.”

“Why would I give you a shot?”

“You have a cousin who’s a year younger than you. She knows nothing of the past. Start fresh with her. She could be a good friend if you let her.”

I scoff. “I don’t need any new friends.”

Alice shakes her head.

“As stubborn as your mother. If you make it the full eight months, I will give you a ride to the airport, bus station, or wherever you want to go myself. I will also give you the trust fund I set aside for you after your birth.”

“You can’t buy me. I don’t care about money. I just want to live my life in peace.”

“I never said you did, dear. I’m only offering you what's yours. Usually you wouldn’t have access until you turn twenty-five, but if you give this a real shot, I mean actually get to know your cousin and keep your studies up, then when you turn eighteen, I will turn it over to you. Then, if you want to leave, you will have the means to do so without having to worry about how you’re going to make money.”

I roll my eyes. “I can get a job. I don’t need your pity money.”

“You’re not listening, Sage. It isn’t pity money. It’s money that I set aside in your name, which is your right. Your mother knew about it. She planned to tell you about it on your twenty-fifth birthday.”

“How do you know?”

“Believe it or not, Abagail and I kept in touch. Every three or four years, she would reach out and check in with me. We never spoke long because… well, it doesn’t matter anymore. She didn’t want anyone knowing where you were, so we always kept it short. I had been trying to locate her for the past two years to tell her things had changed. That she could come home. I regret that I was too late.”

“This is all surprisingly touching and all, but it doesn’t change anything. I don’t want your money.”

“Then don’t touch it, but it isn’t my money. It’s yours.”

I shake my head at her. “How much longer is this flight?”

“About an hour or so.”

“Great. I think I’ll take a nap.”

I pop my earbuds in, drowning out her response.

I have to admit that she’s sparked my curiosity.Why did my mom leave? What did she mean when she said Mom could come home? What kept her away?

I bite my tongue to stop from asking the questions burning in my mind. They don’t matter. They shouldn’t matter. Curiosity killed the cat and all.

I need to stay out of trouble long enough to age out. Then I can start my new life away from this new aunt and a family my mother wanted nothing to do with. If she wanted me to know them, then she would have told me.

I rest my head on the window and lose myself in the music.

∞∞∞

“This is your house?”

“It’s your house too, but yes.”

“Do you share it with other families?”

I marvel at the huge mansion in front of me. After tuning her out on the plane, she left me to myself, only asking if I was hungry or thirsty once.

“No, Richard and I live here with Victoria. Some staff does stay on premise, but other than that, it’s only us.”

“Why do you need a house this big?”

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